Looking for some input from the community. I contacted an accredited law firm that said they couldn't represent me, but referred me to a second firm. That firm got more information from me, but still ended up not taking me as a client. I was honorably discharged from the army Oct 2017. I started my initial claim before leaving the service. The initial decision got me rated 10% tinnitus, 10% lumbosacral strain, 20% cervical strain. I was denied service connection (not even 0) for TBI, sleep disturbances, and knee pain. At this point, my father, attempting to be helpful, had our local DAV open an appeal. I did not provide any additional documentation, and the appeal was obviously denied. I spent the next 7-8 years in a pretty serious depression without realizing or accepting it. I had no interest in pursuing anything further. Eventually, I did get help and started treatment, and I feel like it might be worth reopening. It's a lot easier when you feel like life is worth living.
For the context: I was airborne infantry 2014-2017. I was injured on a jump in June 2016 and transported to the ER. Diagnosed with a concussion, followed up with the TBI clinic on post. I also stopped having restful sleep after this point. Fast forward to the claim, TBI was denied for not showing residual symptoms, "sleep disturbances" were denied because a psychiatrist told me he didn't think I had PTSD, and should drink less to sleep better. Nothing else was done. Now that I've started to work on my mental health, I have been diagnosed with and treated for anxiety, depression, cPTSD, and ADHD. I've also been diagnosed with and treated for obstructive sleep apnea. My mental conditions were not necessarily caused by my concussion, but I believe they were at the very least exacerbated by it. The VA has also released studies linking TBI to OSA. I have a licensed therapist who has agreed to write a nexus letter for me for the mental side, and I believe I could get my PCP or sleep doctor to write one for the apnea. I know that the attorneys only get paid from the backpay if they win, and I don't think with how everything shook out for me there's any backpay to win. So I guess I'm asking for opinions of if it sounds like this is worth pursuing and opening up a claim now, or if it's not worth the time and effort. Any help would be truly appreciated.