Free Case Review

We Don't File Claims. We Build Cases.

You filed your claim. Maybe you did it yourself, maybe you had help. Either way, months passed, your rating didn’t budge, and now you’re stuck. The VA sends a pile of letters you don’t understand, and no one’s explaining what went wrong.

Meanwhile, you’re overseas — 14 time zones away from anyone who could help. Filling out forms at midnight. Calling the VA at 3 AM. Getting lowballed, denied, or just… ignored.

Here’s the truth most veterans don’t hear: the VA doesn’t deny claims because veterans don’t deserve benefits. They deny claims because the evidence wasn’t built right. That’s what we fix.

No upfront costs. No fees unless you win.

Who We Help

We represent veterans who are tired of being ignored, lowballed, or stuck:

  • Veterans living in Japan, Korea, Guam, the Philippines, or anywhere overseas
  • Active duty service members preparing to transition
  • Military spouses and dependents navigating survivor benefits
  • Veterans stateside who want a firm focused on VA disability
  • Veterans who were denied and don't know what went wrong

If you have a service-connected condition or one the VA should be connecting — we want to hear from you.

VA disability attorney shaking hands with veteran

Why Most VA Claims Fail

In 2024, the VA denied nearly 36% of disability claims – over 860,000 veterans left without benefits.

The VA rating system isn’t broken – it’s just a bureaucratic machine. Raters follow a formula. If your claim doesn’t hit the right boxes with the right evidence, you lose.

Most Veterans lose because:

  • No nexus letter (or a weak one that doesn't connect service to condition)
  • Medical records that don't tell the full story
  • C&P exams they weren't prepared for
  • Claims filed for the wrong conditions at the wrong time

The problem isn’t effort it’s evidence. Building a winning claim takes time, strategy, and medical documentation that most veterans don’t have access to on their own.

That’s where we come in.

VA Medical Center building where disability claims are processed

What Stage Are You At?

Starting Fresh — Initial Claims

Never filed a VA claim? Just separated or about to? We help you build a strong claim from the start—gathering evidence, documenting your conditions, and filing the paperwork correctly so you don't leave money on the table.

Already Rated — Rating Increases

Your conditions have gotten worse, but your rating hasn't budged. Or the VA lowballed you from the start. We help veterans request increased ratings and build the medical evidence to support them.


Denied or Lowballed — Appeals

A denial isn't the end. We help veterans fight back through Higher-Level Reviews, Supplemental Claims, and Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings. Most denials come down to missing evidence or weak medical nexus—problems we can fix.

Why Veterans Choose
Pacific Valor Law

  • Marine Veteran-Owned
  • I'm not a civilian attorney who read about military life in a textbook. I served as a Marine Corps officer. I've been through the VA system myself. I understand the frustration—and I know how to win.
  • Built in the Pacific, for Veterans Overseas
  • This firm wasn't built stateside with overseas clients bolted on as an afterthought. I live in Okinawa with my family. I operate on Pacific time. When you call, you're not waking up a lawyer in Virginia at 3am—you're reaching someone who works when you work.
  • We Live the SOFA Life Too
  • I know what it's like to deal with Japanese paperwork, military base bureaucracy, and the feeling that stateside resources don't apply to you. Pacific Valor Law was built for veterans and families who live this reality every day.
  • 100% Federal Benefits Focus
  • We don't do car accidents, divorces, or criminal defense on the side. VA disability and federal benefits are all we do. That focus means we know the system inside and out—and we don't treat your claim as a side project.

Your Claim Our Fight

1. Free Case Review

Tell us about your situation. We’ll review your service history, current ratings, and goals—then give you an honest assessment of your options.

2. We Build Your Case

We gather the evidence, get medical nexus opinions, and prep you for C&P exams. You focus on your life. We focus on your claim.

3. we fight you win

Denied? Lowballed? We take it to appeals and don’t stop until your rating reflects your reality. You pay nothing unless we win.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Cost & Process

How much does it cost to hire a VA disability lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing out of pocket. Our fee is a percentage of the back pay you receive if we win — never a percentage of your ongoing monthly benefits. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
It depends on the claim type. Initial claims typically take 3-6 months. Appeals vary — a Higher-Level Review may take 4-5 months, while a Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing can take a year or more. Overseas claims can sometimes take longer due to C&P exam scheduling. We give you realistic timelines based on your specific situation.
The VA reviews your evidence, requests additional records if needed, and schedules a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. After the exam, a VA rater evaluates everything and issues a rating decision. We track your claim status, respond to VA requests, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Yes. If your claim is approved, you may receive retroactive pay back to your effective date — often the date you originally filed. The longer you wait to file, the more potential back pay you lose. For appeals, back pay can go back to the original claim date if we win.

Appeals

A denial isn’t the end — it’s the start of the real fight. Most denials happen because of missing evidence, a weak nexus letter, or a bad C&P exam. Depending on your situation, we can file a Higher-Level Review, submit a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, or take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
A Higher-Level Review asks a senior VA rater to look at the same evidence again. You can’t submit new evidence, but you can point out errors the original rater made. A Supplemental Claim lets you submit new and relevant evidence — like a nexus letter, buddy statements, or updated medical records. We help you choose the right lane based on why your claim was denied.

Overseas Veterans

Yes. VA disability benefits are federal benefits available to eligible veterans worldwide. You can file a claim, attend C&P exams, and receive payments from anywhere — Japan, Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Germany, or anywhere else. We’re based in Okinawa and specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA process from the Pacific and beyond.
It depends on your location. Veterans in Japan or Korea may be scheduled at a military treatment facility like Naval Hospital Okinawa or Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital. Others may be sent to a contract clinic or scheduled for a telehealth exam. Overseas C&P exams can be inconsistent, which makes preparation critical. We help you understand what to expect, what questions you’ll be asked, and how to accurately describe your symptoms.

Evidence & Ratings

A nexus letter is a medical opinion from a qualified provider stating that your current condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. It’s often the single most important piece of evidence in a VA claim. Without a strong nexus, the VA frequently denies claims — even when the connection seems obvious. We help veterans obtain nexus letters that meet VA standards and directly address the rating criteria.
The VA assigns a percentage rating (0% to 100%) based on how severe your condition is. Multiple conditions are combined using “VA math,” which doesn’t simply add percentages together. For example, a 50% rating plus a 30% rating doesn’t equal 80% — it equals 65%. We help veterans understand their combined rating, identify conditions that may be underrated, and find opportunities for increases.
Not always. Simple, well-documented claims can sometimes be handled on your own or with a VSO. But if your case involves a denial, a low rating, complex medical evidence, or a C&P exam that went badly, having an experienced VA disability attorney dramatically improves your odds. We know how to build claims that win — and how to fix claims that failed.

About Pacific Valor Law

No. There is no deadline to file a VA disability claim. You can file 5, 10, or even 30 years after separation. However, back pay is typically calculated from your filing date — not your separation date. The sooner you file, the more retroactive pay you may receive if your claim is approved.
Yes. James Smith is accredited by the VA Office of General Counsel, which means he is legally authorized to represent veterans before the VA on disability claims and appeals. Not all attorneys or “VA consultants” have this accreditation — always verify before hiring anyone to help with your claim.
View All FAQS

VA Disability for Veterans in Japan

For veterans stationed in Okinawa, mainland Japan, or living in Japan after separation.

Va disability japan

Ready to Get Started?

Find out where you stand. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and tell you whether we can help—no cost, no pressure.

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Pacific Valor Law

Based in Okinawa, Japan — Serving U.S. veterans and military families worldwide

VA-accredited attorney | Licensed in New Jersey

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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