Blue Water = Agent Orange = Exposure on Navy or Coast Guard ships The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (BWNVVA) was signed into law on June 25, 2019 and is set to take effect on January 1, 2020. The BWNVVA extends the presumption of service connection for numerous conditions related to Agent … Continued
Special Monthly Veterans Compensation Living with a disability can result in a veteran facing significant obstacles. There are some disabilities that a veteran can suffer that can result in compensation that is different from that received by veterans with other disabilities. These conditions are called “special monthly compensation” and can be received in addition … Continued
The Difference between Compensation and Pension Benefits for Veterans Veterans who file a claim for benefits should understand the difference between compensation vs pension. Once an individual understands this difference, it is easier to understand what kind of benefits an individual desires and the process required in order to obtain these benefits. It is … Continued
Veterans Disability Private Medical Opinion In a large number of veteran disability claims, a case can be significantly bolstered if a private strong medical opinion letter is provided by a treating physician. A direct service connection can often be shown if a veteran presents the Veterans Affairs office with a strong medical opinion that details … Continued
VA Compensation for PTSD to Veterans Many veterans suffer in some way, shape, or form from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The VA estimates that somewhere around 15% of Vietnam Veterans were diagnosed with PTSD at the time of the most recent study (in the late 1980s), but that up to 30% of Vietnam Veterans have had … Continued
Upgrading Military Discharge Status When an individual applies for Veteran Administration benefits, that person’s military discharge status will affect their eligibility for benefits. If an individual was discharged under honorable conditions, the individuals will likely face no difficulty in obtaining benefits. If an individual was discharged under anything less than honorable status, the individual … Continued
Receiving Veterans Benefits While Incarcerated Statistics from the National Institute of Corrections reveal that veterans represent 9 out of every 100 individuals in jails or prison in the United States. Many individuals are not aware that veterans can still apply for Veteran’s Administration benefits while incarcerated. This article will explain some of the important aspects … Continued
A new system aims to speed up appeals Effective February 19, 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented a new system for veterans appealing an adverse disability rating decision. With adoption of a new Veteran’s claim processing and appeals system, there are a lot more options for veterans to choose from when pursuing a … Continued
Estate planning is for all members of the family – even the furry ones. Don’t forget your pets in estate planning. One way to take care of pets in estate planning is through a pet trust. Although often an overlooked part of an estate plan, ensuring that you pet will be taken care of is … Continued
Brian Tally, a former SGT in the United States Marine Corps was severely injured due to the incompetence of several doctors and ER staff, at the VA hospital in Loma Linda, Ca. His misdiagnosis led to months of neglect and malpractice, that eventually nearly cost him his life. After nearly a year long battle with … Continued
VA Personality Disorder Disabilities The Veteran’s Affairs Office diagnoses many veterans with personality disorders. A personality disorder, however, is not a recognized disability by the Veteran’s Affairs Office. In situations where a veteran’s behavior becomes abnormal or erratic, military physicians often diagnose a veteran with a personality disorder so that claims can be denied. In … Continued
Veterans Benefits for Hearing Loss or Blindness Hearing loss & blindness are disabilities that deserve compensation through benefits. A large number of veterans experience hearing loss and tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Other veterans experience vision loss or other eye-related problems. For each of these elements, it is vital for a veteran to establish … Continued
VA Form 21-4138 If the Veteran’s Affairs Office sends a veteran a request for additional information to support a claim or a more detailed explanation of an element in a person’s claim, the veteran file a Statement in Support of Claim or VA-Form 21-4138. These statements frequently include or describe the evidence that supports a … Continued
Common Reasons for SSDI Denial Each year, millions of individuals file for SSDI and other types of disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, statistics reveal that only 30 percent of these claims are accepted. There are many reasons why the Social Security Administration denies an individual’s claims, but some of the most common … Continued
Decision Review Officer Hearings A Decision Review Officer is an employee of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs who review certain types of appeals concerning veterans’ disability benefits. Obtaining a DRO review is much faster than appeal to the Bureau of Veterans Affairs. In handling a decision review officer hearing, however, individuals frequently find it essential … Continued
TDIU Claims Many veterans experience conditions that significantly interfere with work but do not satisfy the Veterans’ Affairs definition of 100 percent disability. In these cases, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TIDU) or Individual Unemployability (IU) claims provide the same types of compensation as 100 percent disability ratings to veterans when a veteran’s … Continued
