When you hire Schott Mauss & Associates, you never pay attorney fees unless you win.

Schott Mauss & Associates work ONLY for people who have been injured, wrongly denied benefits, or who are unable to work due to a disability. We NEVER represent insurance companies, employers or government agencies.

Many non-attorneys offer to represent you at the administrative levels of your case. But if your case needs to be appealed into district court, they cannot help you. Only an attorney can represent you in court. Attorneys for Schott Mauss & Associates regularly represent clients in state, federal and administrative courts.

Founded in Des Moines in 1997, Schott Mauss & Associates use our knowledge and experience to help Iowans like you. It is easy to call or visit our offices when you need to speak to your attorney. Because we focus on Iowa, we know and regularly work with the government employees and the judges who are most likely to rule on your case.

If you believe you are entitled to Veteran's Benefits and have been denied or have received a decision that is not adequate for your medical disabilities, please contact our attorneys to discuss the merits of your case.

A Veteran that served in the active military, naval or air services and who was discharged or released under honorable status may be eligible for additional benefits. These benefits include service connected benefits and non service connected benefits.

To obtain benefits, a Veteran may file an application for service connected disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. To be eligible for service connected benefits, a Veteran must show:

1. A medical diagnosis of a current disability;
2. Medical evidence (or in certain circumstances non medical evidence) that the disease or injury occurred or was aggravated during the Veteran's term of service; and
3. Medical evidence connecting the in service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury and the current disability.

Once the Department of Veterans Affairs has established a veteran's disability, then the Department of Veterans Affairs will assign the degree or percentage of the disability and the effective date of the disability.

Although the process for obtaining service connected disability benefits seems like it should be clear and straight-forward, often times the process becomes complicated, confusing and can continue for a lengthy period of time.

We can help you understand the process and evaluate whether you have received all of the benefits to which you are entitled. Remember, a Veteran may receive service connected benefits and Social Security Disability Benefits at the same time.