Recommendation for excellent attorney in New Mexico or southwest Colorado

[NMNavVet]

In September 2016, I received my decision statement.  DAV are a good source, but can be very difficult to present and hear from them.  I can leave a message but can be days before I get a reply or have to travel to their main office and wait.  for that reason, I am beginning to think about a attorney that also specializes in VA Disability cases.  Any recommendation.   I live in northwest New Mexico and not far from towns in southwest Colorado.  thanks

[Berta]

I couldn't find much in your past posts.....one mentioned Camp LeJeune water and glaucoma and legal blindness.....I think...I read them fast

Can you scan and attach here the decision? (Cover name, C file # prior to scanning it.)

This is the Camp LeJuene criteria:

 "In this regard, VA has acknowledged that persons residing or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from August 1953 through December 1987 were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  See Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Fast Letter 11-03 (January 11, 2011).  In the early 1980s, it was discovered that two on-base water-supply systems were contaminated with the VOCs trichloroethylene (TCE), a metal degreaser, and perchloroethylene (PCE), a dry cleaning agent.  The contaminated wells supplying the water systems were identified and shut down in February 1988.  Benzene, vinyl chloride, and other VOCs were also found to be contaminating the water-supply systems.  See VBA Training Letter 11-03 (Revised) ( November 29, 2011).  Until scientific evidence shows otherwise, it will be assumed by VA that any given veteran-claimant who served at Camp Lejeune was potentially exposed in some manner to the full range of chemicals known to have contaminated the water there between 1957 and 1987.  Id. at p. 6.  Thus, the Board finds that the Veteran sustained an in-service injury due to exposure to contaminated drinking water. "

His prostate cancer was service connected to the contamination water at the camp.

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files5/1545638.txt

 

In this next BVA decision, they awarded for glaucoma, because the veteran had an inservice nexus...he has been exposed to Agent Orange and the glaucoma was from his SC diabetes mellitus:

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files3/1521430.txt

In this case the veteran had succeeded in proving an eye condition was due to his exposure in Vietnam to AO ( that had to be difficult but I bet he had a strong IMO)

The eye condition caused him to become legally blind.

This is quite a decision:

"ORDER

Service connection for retinitis pigmentosa is granted.

Entitlement to a TDIU rating is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

A rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

A 30 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

A 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

Effective prior to October 30, 2013, a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

Effective from October 30, 2013, a rating in excess of 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is denied.

Effective prior to October 30, 2013, a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

Effective from October 30, 2013, a rating in excess of 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is denied.

Entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

Entitlement to financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and entitlement to necessary adaptive equipment is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits."

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp15/Files6/1548944.txt

All of these cases show what evidence you will need for service connection.