Business Details
Experienced Military Disability Lawyer in Virginia Beach
Gately Law Firm has provided specialized legal representation for over 25 years, focusing on military disability law, veterans benefits, and military personnel law. As a former Coast Guard judge advocate and disabled veteran, I bring firsthand understanding of the unique challenges service members face during disability evaluations. My practice represents active duty, Reservists, and Guardsmen before Physical Evaluation Boards across all military branches, leveraging deep expertise in navigating complex DOD/VA IDES and legacy systems. With an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell based on anonymous peer reviews, I combine legal acumen with compassionate advocacy to achieve favorable outcomes in disability retirement cases, discharge upgrades, and military record corrections. My team assists clients nationwide, offering personalized guidance through every stage of the evaluation process, from initial medical assessments to formal hearings in San Antonio and Washington, DC.We emphasize strategic evidence development, including non-medical documentation, to build compelling cases that align with clients' career and financial goals. Committed to client empowerment, I provide educational resources like the Five Steps to Winning Your PEB Case framework to demystify the process. Our Virginia Beach office serves local clients while maintaining national reach through virtual consultations and hearings. Recognized in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, we uphold the highest standards of legal excellence and ethical representation. My practice philosophy centers on collaborative advocacy, treating each case as a partnership where clients' active participation combines with our legal expertise to secure just outcomes.
Services
Military Disability Law
Veterans Benefits
Correcting Military Records
Military Discharge Upgrades
Social Security Disability
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of specialized experience in military disability law
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell based on peer reviews
- Former Coast Guard judge advocate with firsthand military understanding
- Proven success in all military branch PEB proceedings nationwide
- Personalized approach combining legal expertise with client collaboration
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
Services
Military Disability Law
Representing service members in disability evaluations across all military branches. Specializing in Physical Evaluation Board proceedings, we combine legal expertise with military understanding to secure fair disability ratings. Our proven five-step approach ensures comprehensive case preparation and evidence presentation.
Veterans Benefits
Assisting veterans with benefits claims and appeals. Our practice navigates complex VA systems to maximize entitlements for service-connected disabilities. We focus on accurate evidence documentation and strategic claim presentation to ensure timely approvals and proper benefit levels.
Correcting Military Records
Specialized representation before military correction boards to fix service records. We address errors in discharge characterization, disability evaluations, and service history documentation. Our approach combines regulatory knowledge with persuasive evidence presentation to achieve accurate record corrections.
Military Discharge Upgrades
Advocating for discharge status improvements through military review boards. We develop compelling cases demonstrating unjust discharge characterizations. Our strategy focuses on presenting comprehensive evidence packages that highlight mitigating circumstances and post-service rehabilitation efforts.
Social Security Disability
Representing clients in Social Security Disability Insurance claims. We specialize in cases involving service-related disabilities, ensuring proper medical documentation and legal arguments. Our approach emphasizes clear evidence presentation to demonstrate disability severity and work inability.
People
John B. Gately
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Former Coast Guard judge advocate and disabled veteran with 25+ years of AV-rated legal practice. Specializes in military disability law and veterans benefits. Recognized in Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register for military law and federal practice. Combines firsthand service experience with legal expertise.
Questions
What is the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) process?
The PEB determines if service members meet medical fitness standards. We guide clients through evaluations, evidence preparation, and hearings to achieve fair disability ratings or retention outcomes.
How can you help with TDRL reviews?
We represent clients in Temporary Disability Retirement List reviews, ensuring accurate reevaluations and advocating for permanent disability retirement when appropriate through evidence-based case presentations.
What qualifies as a military record correction case?
We handle cases involving erroneous discharge characterizations, disability ratings, or service history documentation through military correction boards to secure accurate official records.
Do you represent all military branches?
Yes, we represent Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and NOAA Corps members in disability evaluations and record correction matters.
How are legal fees structured?
We offer free initial consultations. Legal fees follow standard practices for military law cases, with transparent explanations of costs during your initial case evaluation.
Can you assist with remote consultations?
Yes, we conduct virtual consultations and represent clients nationwide through Zoom/Teams hearings, eliminating the need for in-person visits to our Virginia Beach office.
