At Tabak Law, we meet a lot of veterans who have served their country with everything they had. They didn’t hesitate to show up when duty called. So when we hear that those same veterans are getting denied benefits they’re legally entitled to, we take it personally.
This month, FOX6 News Milwaukee shared the story of Sonia Schneider, a Gulf War veteran who was denied PACT Act benefits despite meeting every requirement. We were honored to stand beside her as she fought for the benefits she earned.
Meet Sonia: A Life of Service
Sonia Schneider joined the National Guard right out of high school. She came from a family of veterans and felt called to serve after 9/11. Years later, she still wears a uniform, this time as a police officer in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
She was on duty during the devastating Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy in 2021 and responded to help victims at the scene. The following year, she testified in the trial. Sonia has dedicated her life to serving others.
But in the middle of all that, she began experiencing serious health issues. After years of being misdiagnosed, she was told she had stage 1 ovarian cancer. It was a terrifying discovery. And what came next was just as hard to accept.
The Denial That Shouldn’t Have Happened
Sonia applied for VA disability benefits under the PACT Act. This law was passed to help veterans who had been exposed to toxic substances during their service. It includes a long list of conditions, like reproductive cancers, that are automatically presumed to be connected to service in areas like Iraq and Kuwait.
Sonia served in both those places. She was diagnosed with a qualifying cancer. But she was still denied.
The letter she received from the VA even confirmed she was a PACT Act veteran and that she had a qualifying condition. Yet the denial claimed there wasn’t enough evidence to connect her cancer to her military service.
Her reaction was heartbreaking. She told FOX6, “The denial of the claim really hit hard for me, emotionally.” And it’s no wonder. Being told you qualify on paper but are still being denied is beyond frustrating; it’s defeating.
Learn More: What Does the PACT Act Mean for Veterans Seeking Benefits?
How We Got Involved
Our team at Tabak Law has helped hundreds of veterans navigate complex VA claims. Jim Brzezinski, our lead VA attorney and a former VA employee himself, spoke to FOX6 about the case and how often we’re seeing situations like Sonia’s.
Jim explained that Sonia shouldn’t have had to prove anything further. Under the PACT Act, her condition was presumptive. That means no medical opinion should have been required. The VA’s own policies say that in cases like this, the veteran should be granted benefits, no questions asked.
“It doesn’t matter whether the mistake was intentional or not,” Jim told FOX6. “It hurts the veteran either way.”
This Isn’t Just One Case
Sadly, Sonia is not alone. A study released in December of 2024 revealed that the VA had been processing many PACT Act claims incorrectly. Veterans were being asked to undergo unnecessary exams and were being denied benefits they qualified for.
The study blamed a surge of new hires and the rapid rollout of the new law for these errors. But excuses don’t help veterans who are relying on these benefits to survive.
The Outcome and What Comes Next
Sonia filed an appeal. Thankfully, her case was reviewed and approved just a few weeks later. She was granted a 90 percent disability rating, which provides her with monthly compensation and support.
While we’re grateful the VA corrected the error, Sonia should never have had to go through the stress of fighting for what was rightfully hers. She still has several more conditions awaiting final approval, but we’ll be here to make sure her case is handled properly from start to finish.
Veterans Shouldn’t Have to Fight Alone
If you’ve been denied PACT Act benefits or any VA disability claim, you don’t have to handle it by yourself. We’ve helped countless veterans reverse wrongful denials, and we’re ready to help you, too.
You served your country. We’re here to serve you.
Contact Tabak Law today to speak with our team and get the support you deserve.