John-Paul Gustad

John Paul Gustad provided a complimentary and valuable how-to on navigating the Byzantine SSI process as well as state-funded options I had not considered. While my particular circumstances aren't likely to merit consideration by an Administrative Law Judge I know who I am going to call when it's ti...me to appeal.

Hired Gustad Law firm in 2016. Filed a claim for reduced pulmonary function due to burn pit exposure. The law firm won my case six years before the Pact Act became law in 2022. In 2018 filed a claim for an increased rating. Claim decision awarded in my favor. Gustad Law called me in 2019 after revie...wing almost 6,000 pages in my C file. Discussed an echocardiogram the VA performed in 2016. In the Findings: among the list was "mild pulmonary hypertension". Gustad Law was beneficial in filing this claim. VA denied the claim as "most likely due to non service connected COPD. Requested a Higher Level Review. Ultimately awarding a maximum rating. I highly recommend their Veteran services.

Like most, I was denied after my initial SSDI application that I completed on my own over 2 yrs ago. After that, I decided I needed an attorney to help me with an appeal. In researching attorneys who specialized in disability cases, I came across Mr. Gustad. After chatting with him about my case, I f...elt extremely comfortable and hired him on the spot! The wait has been long, but after over 2 years, I am very happy to say that I finally won my case because of my amazing attorney! The communication throughout the whole process was beyond my expectations and his staff was great as well! If you’re looking for an attorney who will work hard for you and get what you deserve, I highly and wholeheartedly recommend Gustad Law. I can’t thank them enough!

My story starts like most of us Veterans. In 2009, I was forced out of the military from budget cuts. They were finding any reason to let myself and others out of their enlistment. I had initial issues with pain while walking, and short-term memory loss. The Navy pumped me full of steroids to see if ...it would help with my leg issues. It did have a good reaction and made me start feeling better, but at the same time my weight exploded. The Navy excused me from the yearly PRT, but not the body weight. They discharged me with an honorable discharge because of weight issues that were brought on by my medical conditions. The VA had me do an initial examination for service connection disabilities. Like most of us, I was sent to a doctor that just looked me over and sent me on my way. They serviced connected me for symptoms of a bigger issue. As time passed, I screamed at the Spokane VA telling them something was wrong with me. I had more normal day functions becoming difficult. The VA at that time miss diagnosed me with Parkinson’s Disease brought on by family history of having the disease, but none of the treatments they were giving me had any effect on my progression. It wasn’t until about 8 years went by, they finally did a MRI on my brain and saw it full with scar tissues, and I also had two active lesions on my brain. It was Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. I filed for VA disability compensation at that time. The VA denied me because I was passed the presumption period of diagnosis of the disease. That is when I started to seek legal advice. I searched all over the Pacific Northwest for any attorney that would help me to fight the injustice that the Veterans Affairs was giving me. It wasn’t until John-Paul Gustad and Corey Davenport heard my case that they immediately said they would sign on to represent me in my fight for the rights and what I am deserved. John-Paul personally told me that he would fight all the way up to the Supreme Court if needed. I like most of you Veterans have seen horrible things or told to do things that would put yourself in danger of disease or injury for our call to serve our amazing country. I just one minute we could be sent into dangerous conditions like myself in Navy Shipyards or injured in the line of battle. We sit at home after our service and scream for someone to hear our cries in our personal battle of the scars our service left on our bodies. The only people that listened was Gustad Law Group. Where everyone turned and ran, they stepped up to fight for me. They took my case all the way to the Board of Veterans Affairs, and during the hearing I heard first-hand how John-Paul took this fight on. He stood in front of the Board’s Judge, and he spoke about the entire injustice that was given to me. How the VA system left me out to dry while I suffered so many years of pain. How when everyone tried to tell me I was not service connected---He told them how I was. I won my case because of Gustad Law Group. They stood beside me for the years it took to get justice. They were there from the first time spoke with Corey Davenport until today. I firmly give my recommendation for any Veteran out there that feels like nobody cares or will listen. Gustav Law group will listen and fight for you.