🎖️ VALOR

Veteran Wins PTSD Claim After 20 Years Thanks to Missing Evidence

After more than 20 years of denied claims, a military veteran finally secured VA benefits for PTSD linked to (MST). Like many MST survivors, he had never filed a report during service, leaving his case without the documentation the VA typically requires, leading to years of rejections. 

In a detailed discussion, Hill & Ponton attorney Shelly Mark explains how her team revisited the case by requesting the veteran’s full personnel file. There, they found crucial indirect evidence—such as disciplinary issues, substance abuse, and performance decline—that pointed to trauma. These patterns, often missed in initial reviews, helped build a strong case even without a formal MST report. 

Their persistence paid off despite early setbacks like incorrect ratings and effective dates. The veteran was ultimately granted a full-service connection with retroactive benefits dating to his original claim.  

Attorney Mark emphasizes that even the most complex claims can succeed with expert help and a creative approach to gathering evidence. 

⚖️ EXPERTS

Hiatal Hernia and VA Disability: What Veterans Need to Know

A hiatal hernia happens when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This condition can cause symptoms like acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, or chest discomfort, and may be tied to other issues like GERD or PTSD. While not a presumptive condition, veterans can still qualify for VA disability benefits if they can prove a service connection or secondary link. 

VA Disability Ratings for Hiatal Hernia (Effective May 19, 2024) 

Rated under 38 CFR § 4.114, Diagnostic Code 7346 

• 80%: Refractory esophageal stricture with dysphagia and at least one of the following: aspiration, undernutrition, or substantial weight loss; requires surgery or PEG tube 

• 50%: Dysphagia needing dilation (3+ times/year), steroid treatment, or esophageal stent 

• 30%: Dysphagia needing dilation no more than 2 times/year 

• 10%: Recurrent stricture requiring daily meds but otherwise asymptomatic 

• 0%: Diagnosed but no ongoing symptoms or daily treatment 

Testing must include imaging, such as a barium swallow or endoscopy. Legacy claims filed before May 19, 2024, remain under the older 0%, 10%, 30%, and 60% structure unless appealed. 

Hiatal Hernia Secondary to PTSD—Case Example 

A Vietnam veteran with two combat tours filed a claim for a hiatal hernia, linking it to his service-connected PTSD. Though initially denied, he appealed with new medical evidence and supportive testimony. GI testing confirmed a sliding hiatal hernia, and multiple doctors submitted statements linking his condition to the long-term effects of PTSD. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals granted the claim under the benefit of the doubt rule, recognizing the balanced evidence and awarding service connection. 

How to Strengthen a Hiatal Hernia VA Claim 

• Submit imaging (barium swallow, endoscopy) confirming the diagnosis 

• Provide medical opinions linking your hernia to GERD, PTSD, or service exposure 

• Include lay statements describing digestive symptoms and impact on daily life 

• Appeal if denied—updated rating criteria may support a higher rating 

If you’ve been denied or believe you qualify for a higher rating, contact Hill & Ponton for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us today at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 30 minutes prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water Supply?

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances widely used in firefighting foams, water-resistant products, and industrial applications. These chemicals have been found in dangerously high concentrations in some water supplies, including on or near military bases. Learn if your military base was impacted using our Toxic Exposure Map.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health conditions, such as:

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Liver Cancer

If you or a loved one lived or worked in areas with PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may qualify for compensation.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

From Restaurants to Veterans’ Rights: How One Attorney Found Her Calling in VA Law 

In this insightful conversation, Hill & Ponton video producer Nate Fleming interviews Hill & Ponton Attorney Ursula Mecabe, a veterans benefits attorney whose unconventional path led her from restaurant management into law. Driven to make a meaningful impact, Attorney Mecabe began her journey helping individuals with disabilities and eventually found her niche in veterans' benefits advocacy. Her early exposure to disability communities, such as babysitting children with disabilities and learning American Sign Language, laid the foundation for a career built on compassion and service. 

Attorney Mecabe now focuses on complex claims involving toxic exposure and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). In the interview, she shares practical advice for veterans navigating the often frustrating VA claims process. Her key recommendations include filing as early as possible, carefully reviewing decision letters, calling out inaccuracies, and understanding the importance of persistence—even in the face of multiple denials. 

The conversation reinforces that veterans don’t have to face the system alone. Attorney Mecabe’s story is a reminder that career pivots can lead to deeply fulfilling work and that expert advocacy makes a critical difference when pursuing benefits. With knowledge, patience, and the proper support, veterans have a far better chance at securing what they’ve rightfully earned. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!