A Houston Army veteran is appealing the denial of VA disability benefits for conditions he says are connected to his military service.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 For Houston Army veteran William Lee, serving his country meant pushing through pain and continuing to work even when he was injured.<\/p>\n
Now, years after his military service and multiple surgeries, Lee is appealing the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 denial of disability benefits for injuries and other conditions he believes are connected to his time in the Army.<\/p>\n
Lee served for six years \u2014 four years on active duty and two in the Army Reserve.<\/p>\n
During his service, Lee said he frequently injured his ankle but continued performing his duties without seeking medical attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would roll my ankle. It would hurt, but you have to accomplish [your duties],\u201d Lee said. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop \u2014 \u2018Oh, my ankle.\u2019 You have to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee said service members of his generation were taught to push through injuries unless they were severe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in the era when I was in, you didn\u2019t do that,\u201d Lee said. \u201cUnless your leg was falling off, you didn\u2019t go on sick call. You toughed it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Years later, after undergoing multiple surgeries, Lee applied for VA disability benefits. His claim included his ankle and other conditions he experienced during his service.<\/p>\n
The claim was denied, in part, because Lee could not establish that his current disabilities were connected to his military service.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have a disability, and you can\u2019t prove it\u2019s service-connected,\u201d Lee said. \u201cAll those years when I was rolling my ankle, when I had issues, I never medically reported it or went on sick call.\u201d<\/p>\n
The denial left Lee questioning how he could move forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, what do I do now?\u201d Lee said. \u201cThe government is too big to fight against.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houston disability attorney Marc Whitehead said it is not uncommon for veterans to be denied benefits. He said the VA system can be difficult to navigate, with several options available to those pursuing a claim or appeal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe VA system is pretty complicated and has a lot of paths that you can take,\u201d Whitehead said. \u201cSometimes, they lead to dead ends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitehead recommends that veterans seek help navigating the process. Assistance may be available through a veterans service officer, veterans organization or attorney.<\/p>\n
He also warned that the process can take years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe system is so difficult and time-consuming, and it can last two or three years,\u201d Whitehead said.<\/p>\n
His advice to veterans facing a lengthy appeal is simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe motto is: Don\u2019t give up,\u201d Whitehead said.<\/p>\n
That is what Lee plans to do. He is now working with Whitehead to appeal the denial and pursue the benefits he believes he earned through his military service.<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges ahead, Lee remains hopeful that his claim will eventually be approved.<\/p>\n