Sean Kendall, Veterans' Disability Attorney

Sean Kendall is a veterans' disability attorney and the founder of the Law Office of Sean Kendall, P.C., in Boulder, Colorado. He has worked in veterans' law since 1990 and has represented veterans nationwide in VA disability claims and appeals since opening his practice in 1993, including cases before the Board of Veterans' Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

How Sean Kendall Started in Veterans' Law

Sean began his career in 1990 as a law clerk at the National Veterans Legal Services Program (then the National Veterans Legal Services Project). There he represented veterans before the Board of Veterans' Appeals on behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America. After graduating with honors from George Washington University's National Law Center in 1992, he stayed on at NVLSP as a staff attorney and worked on cases including Ephraim v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 549 (1993), during the early years of the veterans' court.

Appellate and Amicus Work

Sean opened his own practice in 1993. He has briefed several cases as amicus curiae on behalf of the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, including Austin v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 547 (1994), with Keith Snyder. Austin is still widely cited for the rule that the VA must develop a veteran's claim in a neutral manner. Today his practice concentrates on VA disability appeals, from the first review of a denial through appeals to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Courts Where Sean Kendall Is Admitted

• Supreme Court of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

VA Disability Cases Sean Kendall Handles

• Psychiatric disabilities. Service connection and increased ratings for PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Several of these cases have resulted in awards of more than $400,000 in benefits for the veteran.
• Physical disabilities. Physical disability claims including lower back conditions, cervical spine injuries, and gunshot wound residuals.
• Individual Unemployability (TDIU). If your service-connected conditions keep you from holding substantially gainful employment, TDIU can pay you at the 100 percent rate even when your combined rating is lower.
• Expert medical evidence. Many VA cases turn on the right medical opinion. Sean works with a network of independent medical experts whose nexus opinions have helped clients win awards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Professional Leadership

• Member, Rules Committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (1998 to 2002)
• Board of Governors, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Bar Association (2005 to 2008)
• Board of Directors, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates (2006 to 2010)

Education

• J.D., with honors, George Washington University, National Law Center (1992)
• B.A., Political Science, University of Colorado