What does the VA use to rate mental health conditions? The VA uses The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) when evaluating mental health conditions. The most recent edition of the DSM resulted in a significant change in evaluating how a mental health condition affects someone’s ability to function. In previous […]
History of Fort McClellan Fort McClellan (originally called Camp McClellan) was a U.S. Army post near Anniston, Alabama that opened in 1917. Ft. McClellan has served multiple different purposes since its establishment in 1917. This includes serving as the home of the Women’s Army Corps from 1973 to 1978, and also as the home of […]
Meaning of Permanent & Total First, let’s break down each word in the phrase “permanent and total.” Permanent means that a veteran has a disability which has no chance, or close to no chance, of the disability improving. The VA considers a disability to be permanent when the medical evidence shows that it is reasonably […]
Background RAMP (Rapid Appeals Modernization Program) is the VA’s pilot program for the new appeals system created by the VA Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. RAMP is an optional program, available to veterans with claims that are currently on appeal. If a veteran does not want to opt into the RAMP program, they […]
PTSD is a psychiatric condition that is classified as a trauma and stressor-related disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). PTSD involves re-experiencing an extremely traumatic event (this event is referred to as the “stressor”) and is usually accompanied by increased arousal, nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and […]
When filing a claim for residuals of a shell fragment wound, it is important to pay close attention to how the VA ultimately rates your condition. This is because, ratings for residuals of shell fragment wounds can be difficult since these injuries cause damage to muscles, but can also damage bones, joints, and nerves. Cardinal […]
What is PSP? Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a brain disorder that affects movement, control of walking and balance, speech, swallowing, vision, mood and behavior, and thinking. This disease is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain. Symptoms of PSP include: Loss of balance while walking (this is the most common symptom that […]
David Shulkin was sworn in Tuesday February 14, 2017 as the new secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate the day before. So who is David Shulkin, and what does he hope to accomplish as VA Secretary? David Shulkin previously held the position of Undersecretary for health for the […]
For many years veterans that had been exposed to Agent Orange during active duty service were denied VA disability benefits for Agent Orange related diseases. This was in part due to the fact that it’s often very hard to prove that an illness is caused by Agent Orange. Finally, in 1991, the Agent Orange Act […]
In the early 1980’s two on-base water supply systems at the Camp Lejeune military base were contaminated with chemicals such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. For many years, the VA has refused to recognize that the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune was directly associated with certain conditions. This made it […]
Video Blog – Buddy Statements for Service ConnectionJuly 27, 2018 - 4:15 pm
Video Blog – How to Make Buddy StatementsJuly 13, 2018 - 4:07 pm
VA Changes Appeals System; Is YOUR Claim Ready?June 19, 2018 - 2:35 pm
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