🎖️ VALOR

Buried Hazards, Hard-Won Justice: How One Army Vet Secured His VA Compensation

Drafted during the Vietnam era, Terry MacFarland took initiative by enlisting in a specialized technical training program, steering his path away from combat and toward a career in high-powered radar systems. Stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, he became an electrical technician for radar. Within just 17 months, he had risen to E5, a rapid advancement that underscored his technical talent and dedication. 

But MacFarland’s service came with long-term consequences. While at Redstone, he was exposed to hazardous materials stored in unmarked 55-gallon drums.  

The health effects didn’t appear immediately, but over the years, MacFarland developed a host of severe medical conditions: chronic kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy, vision loss, leukemia, and symptoms consistent with Parkinson’s. Despite clear service-related origins, his illnesses went unrecognized by the VA for years. 

That changed when MacFarland turned to Hill & Ponton for legal assistance. With our help, he secured a 100% disability rating, including a PTSD rating that was acknowledged within just three months.  

The benefits brought not just financial relief, but validation and a chance for MacFarland and his family to maintain their quality of life despite rising healthcare costs. 

“It’s changed our lives immensely. Hill & Ponton is probably the best attorney, and I just can’t say enough about them.” 

Macfarland's case is a reminder that service doesn’t always leave visible scars, but that doesn’t make the damage any less real. He advises other veterans to persevere and seek assistance. With knowledgeable support, the benefits you earned are within reach.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Joint Pain and VA Disability: What Veterans Need to Know

Joint pain is one of the most common, and disabling, conditions veterans face after service. Years of physical wear and tear from military life can lead to chronic issues in the knees, hips, back, shoulders, and more. But many veterans are denied compensation because they don’t understand how the VA evaluates joint pain or what’s needed to support a successful claim. 

How the VA Rates Joint Conditions 

The VA assigns disability ratings based on how joint pain affects movement and function, not just whether it hurts. Ratings range from 10% to 100%, depending on severity, range of motion, instability, and whether there’s been a joint replacement or spinal fusion. Pain alone can still qualify if it causes functional loss. 

Bilateral Factor 

If both sides of the body are affected, like both knees or both shoulders, the VA applies the bilateral factor, which adds a bonus percentage to your total rating. This can raise your overall disability compensation. 

Commonly Rated Joints 

Each major joint (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, spine) has its own Diagnostic Code and rating criteria. For example: 

• Knees: Limited extension or flexion (separately rated), instability, or meniscus issues (DC 5256–5263) 

• Back/Spine: Rated on forward flexion and functional loss (DC 5235–5243) 

• Hips, Ankles, Shoulders: Evaluated on range of motion, fusion, or surgical history 

How to Build a Strong VA Joint Pain Claim 

To win your claim, you’ll need three elements: 

1. Current diagnosis from a medical professional 

2. Evidence of an in-service event (e.g., injury, overuse, physical demands) 

3. A medical nexus linking your condition to military service 

Direct vs. Secondary Service Connection 

You can qualify through direct service connection (injury during service) or secondary service connection (joint pain caused by a service-connected condition, such as altered gait or long-term medication use). 

Other Conditions Related to Joint Pain 

• Degenerative Joint Disease 

• Rheumatoid or Septic Arthritis 

• Bursitis, Tendinitis, Gout 

• Fibromyalgia, Osteomyelitis 

These may support a joint pain claim or be filed as separate claims when diagnosed and documented. 

Presumptive Conditions 

Some veterans may qualify under presumptive service connection rules, including those diagnosed with arthritis within a year of discharge or those who served in the Gulf War region with unexplained chronic joint pain. 

Maximizing Your VA Rating 

To receive the highest possible rating, be sure to document: 

• Range of motion limitations (measured during your C&P exam) 

• Flare-ups and functional impact (using a symptom journal or DBQ) 

• Secondary complications (like sleep disorders, GERD, depression) 

TDIU and Joint Pain 

If your joint pain prevents you from working, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), even if your rating is below 100%. You must meet rating thresholds and prove that service-connected conditions make steady employment impossible. 

Need Help Appealing a Joint Pain Rating? 

If your VA rating doesn’t reflect your reality, Hill & Ponton may be able to help. Get a free case evaluation today. 

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Our livestreams will now happen every Tuesday at 1400 hours ET. Join our legal team weekly for the latest updates and insights.

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour 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

How to Win a DIC Claim: Insights from an Attorney

In this conversation between Hill & Ponton’s video producer, Nate Flemming, and attorney Allison Reddick, they discuss the complexities of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which results in monthly benefits awarded to surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths are linked to service-connected conditions.  

Attorney Reddick explains that proving this connection is often the most challenging part of the process, especially when the cause of death isn’t an obvious match with the veteran’s service-connected disabilities. For example, PTSD-related suicides can qualify if they’re tied to the cause of death.  

They also note that remarriage before age 57 can affect benefit eligibility, but remarriage after 57 usually does not. For more challenging cases, like non-presumptive conditions such as leukemia from Agent Orange, strong medical documentation and expert medical opinions are essential to proving the connection.   

The main takeaway is that getting the right legal support to gather detailed evidence can help surviving spouses stand a far better chance of securing the benefits they deserve. 

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!