“Gulf War Syndrome” is the name for the multi-symptom, undiagnosed illness that many Gulf War Era veterans (Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom) suffer from. Gulf War Syndrome is believed to be caused by exposure to biological and environmental hazards. However, due to the nature of Gulf War Syndrome, it is […]
On August 23, 2017, President Trump signed a bill that is meant to overhaul the VA appeals process. This bill is known by the short title, Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act. The obvious questions for the new VA appeal process are: What does this bill do? When does it go into effect? How is […]
Our blog often discusses Camp Lejeune, a 246 square-mile Marine Corp base in Jacksonville, North Carolina and the large-scale water contamination there. Recently, the VA decided to make eight diseases presumptively service-connected for prior residents of Camp Lejeune. Adult leukemia Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes Bladder Cancer Kidney Cancer Liver Cancer Multiple myeloma Non-Hodgkin’s […]
“The claim for service connection for [your disability here] remains denied because the evidence submitted is not new and material.” Have you ever read those words when looking at your rating decision from the VA? New and material. The evidence you submitted may very well be new evidence, and it may be material to you, […]
Today, we are going to take a look at Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), also called Chapter 35 Benefits, available to dependent children, spouses, and surviving spouses of certain veterans. VA regulations state that the purpose of DEA benefits is to “[provide] opportunities for education to children whose education would otherwise be impeded or interrupted because […]
You have finally gotten the correct rating and effective date for your disability. The fight for your benefits is done, and you can finally rest easy. Time passes, and you receive a letter from the VA proposing a rating reduction. How does this happen? What can you do? First, do not panic. There are safeguards […]
I have written previously about Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the diseases associated with its contaminated water. Additionally, blogs have discussed the VA’s proposed presumptions for some of those diseases. Those Camp Lejeune presumptions are finally here. For those who have not heard about Camp Lejeune, briefly, it is a 246 square-mile Marine Corp base […]
If you peruse our blog on a regular basis, you know that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD) is a subject that is frequently discussed. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event in the life of an individual. When you are seeking VA benefits, the regulations refer to the traumatic event as […]
Do you know what IU (also called TDIU) is? IU is a VA acronym for Total Disability rating based on Individual Unemployability. IU allows a veteran to receive compensation at a 100% disability rate from the VA when their service connected disabilities do not total 100%. One way to think of IU is to think […]
Our blogs often talk about how a veteran should handle a claim for a particular disability, including forms to file, evidence to submit, and how to appeal whenever the VA incorrectly decides an issue. When we discuss the evidence to submit, we often refer to “credible evidence” whether it is credible evidence of a combat […]
Video Blog – Buddy Statements for Service ConnectionJuly 27, 2018 - 4:15 pm
Video Blog – How to Make Buddy StatementsJuly 13, 2018 - 4:07 pm
Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization ActJune 19, 2018 - 2:35 pm
VA Disability Benefits – Back to BasicsApril 19, 2018 - 4:57 pm
How Can I Get VA Disability Benefits If My Discharge Is Not Honorable?April 5, 2018 - 12:31 pm