Lately we’ve been getting a lot of questions about Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). Veterans are wondering if they qualify and if they can get Special Monthly Compensation in addition to their disability compensation. In this blog we’ll define Special Monthly Compensation and provide a list of questions that you should consider before applying. What is …
Special Monthly Compensation Benefits from the VA Read More »
We recently received a letter from a lady named who was unfortunately born with spina bifida and trying to get VA dependent benefits. She was born in 1985 in a rural town where the hospital didn’t have a lot of resources at the time. Because of this, she was not diagnosed for her birth defect …
We’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about protected vs unprotected VA disability ratings. Many people are worried that they’re going to be subject to a new C&P exam and that their rating is going to be reduced. Here we’ll explain how your VA disability rating can be protected and what to do if it’s …
I have a letter I want to share regarding mental disabilities and the timing of VA claims. After the letter, I’ll respond and tell you how those things can interact with each other. I’ll specifically discuss how accrued benefits can be obtained for dependents of Veterans, and what you need to know before filing a …
In this blog I wanted to address VA benefits for hypertension caused by exposure to agent orange in the Vietnam Era. We have a letter from a gentleman that I wanted to share and then I’ll respond to that letter. Dear VA Guy, I served in the US Air Force and was stationed at the …
In this blog we’re going to be talking about VA compensation claims for mental disorders besides PTSD. PTSD claims have their own separate set of circumstances, so we’ll cover them in another blog. Just to recap from previous blogs, there are three things you have to show to get VA disability compensation: a medical diagnosis, …
There are three basic requirements that a Veteran needs to meet to be entitled to disability compensation. They must have a medical diagnosis for a current disability, the injury must have occurred during their service, and there has to be a connection established between the service and the disability. That service connection is called a …
4 Ways to Establish Service Connection with Your VA Disability Claim Read More »
Can you “double dip” when it comes to VA disability compensation and other VA benefits? Generally, you can’t. If you’re entitled to monetary benefits under more than one provision of the VA laws and regulations, you have to elect which VA benefit to receive. Below we’ll explain the situations in which “double dipping” isn’t allowed …
VA Disability Compensation and Other VA Benefits: Can You Double Dip? Read More »
In this blog I wanted to follow up on a recent YouTube video that discusses how recently proposed budget cuts could affect Veterans benefits. We’re not trying to use this information to create fear amongst Veterans, but we do want to educate everyone as to what’s happening in Washington DC. We want to inform Veterans …
In this blog I’m going to list 24 different Federal and State VA benefits that are available to you as a Veteran. If you are a Veteran who was honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability, you may be eligible! Most of the Federal VA benefits apply to those who are rated as 100% disabled, …
24 Federal and State Veteran Benefits You Could Receive! Read More »
In this blog we’re going to be discussing the “secret sauce” to a successful VA compensation or pension claim. That secret sauce includes utilizing the Disability Benefit Questionnaire provided by the VA. Below we’ll explain the Disability Benefit Questionnaire and why you should use it. What is a Disability Benefit Questionnaire? This is a downloadable …
The Secret Sauce to Your VA Disability Claim: The Disability Benefit Questionnaire Read More »
The VA often times makes it difficult to go through the compensation and pension application process. They make you jump through a bunch of hoops and hurdles to qualify for benefits. One of those hoops is the VA medical exam. In this blog we’ll be discussing the VA medical exam process and whether you should …
Do You Need a VA Medical Exam for Disability Benefits? Read More »
Some of our previous blogs discuss presumptive conditions as it relates to burn pits and agent orange exposure. Here I wanted to talk about presumptive conditions for asbestos exposure. If you were exposed and have these conditions, then you don’t have to prove a service connection with your condition. It’s presumed that your exposure caused …
This blog includes a rather sad topic because it involves children and birth defects as a result of toxic exposure during the Vietnam War and service at Camp Lejeune. We’ve all heard about the terrible side effects from agent orange exposure in Vietnam and the illnesses caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. When these …
VA Disability Benefits for Birth Defects Caused by Agent Orange and Camp Lejeune Water Read More »
Several months ago we published a YouTube video about Total Disability Individual Unemployment (TDIU) for Veterans and we’ve received a lot of good feedback on that video. One of the more frequent questions was whether a Veteran could lose their current disability rating when making a claim for TDIU. That’s a scary proposition for many …
Can You Lose VA Disability Benefits When Applying for TDIU? Read More »
Did you know that you could get paid for your travel expenses to VA appointments? You sure can! The VA offers travel reimbursement for mileage, lodging, and meals if you qualify. This travel reimbursement if available for Veterans and eligible caretakers. Below we’ll explain the program and how you can get reimbursed. First we’ll discuss …
A divorce can be a stressful event for both spouses and any family involved. As a result, estate planning is usually not at the forefront of someone’s mind when going through a legal separation. But if you’re going through a divorce, it’s very important to check your estate planning documents and modify if necessary. This …
Changing Your Estate Planning When Going Through a Divorce Read More »
Everyone has heard about agent orange at some time in their lifetime. There are commercials all over the radio and television about filing an agent orange claim. It was a widely-used herbicide in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War. They used it as a defoliant to kill the shrubbery and trees, reducing the amount …
VA Disability Benefits: Presumptive Conditions When Filing an Agent Orange Claim Read More »
During the conflicts in the Middle East over the last couple few decades, burn pits were rampant. These burn pits were used to dispose of a wide range of solid waste and other materials that probably shouldn’t have been burned. As a result, many of our Veterans were exposed to toxic fumes and are now …
VA Disability Benefits: Presumptive Conditions for Burn Pit Claims Read More »
In this blog I wanted to share a couple examples of the issues we face on a daily basis as we try to get our Veteran clients the benefits they deserve. Filing claims and appeals with the VA can be tiresome, but we continue to fight for the rights of our Veterans so that they …
Why Is the VA So Slow? Claims and Appeals That Take Forever! Read More »
Over the years we’ve met and helped many Veterans get the disability benefits they deserve. But the application process for VA disability benefits is rarely smooth and effortless. They always ask for more information and a plethora of evidence that proves that an injury or illness is related to the Veterans service. Below we’ve outlined …
5 Common Mistakes When Applying for VA Disability Benefits Read More »
A recent article from the Washington Post explains a concerning report coming from the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center. This report was called the Discretionary Injustice Review and involved reviewing over 1 million military releases. The report explains that compared to white service members, African Americans are 5.5x more likely to receive a dishonorable discharge in …
Can You Change a Dishonorable Discharge from the Military? Read More »
Are you a recipient of VA Aid & Attendance (VA Pension) or DIC benefits? Have you recently gotten a letter requesting more information about your claim? Or maybe you’ve received a letter regarding VA benefits reduction? This has been happening a lot lately, especially since the VA staff are back in their offices after the …
VA Benefits Reduction: How You Can Keep Your Pension and Disability Benefits! Read More »
Estate planning is just not for the rich and famous. It’s for everybody — especially Veterans who are receiving benefits from the VA. So we wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the unique challenges of Veteran estate planning. We love our Veterans and we want them to be prepared in their later years …
Veteran Estate Planning Techniques to Protect Your Assets and Family Read More »
We’ve had a lot of comments and questions on one of recent spousal benefits videos, so I wanted to take this opportunity to provide a little refresher course. Everyone is concerned about their spouse if something happens to them — especially Veterans. Most Veterans feel like they’re going to be okay with the benefits they’re …
Veteran Surviving Spouse Benefits: Does Remarriage Cancel Your Benefits? Read More »
In this blog I wanted to discuss some recent developments with regards to agent orange claims for Vietnam Veterans and the persistent denial of these claims by the VA. There are three conditions, which we’ll discuss below, for which the VA has consistently denied agent orange claims without much explanation. Veterans need the VA to …
Agent Orange Claims Being Denied by the VA for Decades | What Can You Do? Read More »
Recently many of our clients have been receiving letters from the VA regarding their pension or disability benefits. You or your spouse may have also received a VA letter saying they were going to adjust your benefit. In this blog we’ll go through a few of the letters our clients have received and discuss how …
Receive a VA Letter About Your Benefits? How Can You Respond? Read More »
In a previous blog we talked about the VA’s definition of a spouse for VA benefit purposes. But to be considered a Veteran “surviving spouse,” you must still be married to the Veteran at the time of the Veteran’s death. Given this definition, it makes sense that a spouse would be denied surviving spouse benefits …
Exceptions to the General Rule for Veteran Surviving Spouse Benefits Read More »
We discussed some of the details of the PACT Act in a previous blog, but we wanted to expand on that discussion here with respect to Veteran spouses, children, or dependents. We’ve been receiving lots of questions lately regarding presumptive conditions, how the PACT Act affects Veteran spouses and dependents, and whether they are now …
Explaining Presumptive Conditions and Compensation for Veteran Spouses Via the PACT Act Read More »
If you listen to the radio or watch much television, I am quite sure that you’ve heard about the water contamination that happened at Camp Lejeune. There has been quite the influx of advertising and offers lately asking folks to call an 800 number to receive compensation. Part of the offer is true, and part …
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: How to Get the Benefits You Deserve! Read More »
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