Completing A Military Records Request Form: Here’s What You Should Know
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | April 12, 2022 | Disability Compensation,Legal Update,State Veteran Benefits
Whether you’re retiring, filing a claim for VA benefits, or requesting a discharge upgrade, you will want a copy of your military medical and personnel records. Download and Print the SF-180 Form In order to request a copy of your military records, you need to complete a SF-180 form and mail it to the appropriate… read more
Veterans Exposed to Herbicides Outside of Vietnam: Here’s What To Do
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | April 12, 2022 | Disability Compensation,State Veteran Benefits
Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide the U.S. military primarily used to clear vegetation and leaves for military operations during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was also used at Thailand military bases during the Vietnam War and in the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ). The herbicides were also tested and stored elsewhere, including some military bases… read more
Developing Medical Evidence to Support A Claim
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | April 12, 2022 | Disability Compensation,Health Benefits
One of the most important factors in winning a claim or appeal for VA disability compensation benefits is developing medical evidence in support of your case. There is virtually no way to get your disability claim approved without sufficient medical evidence to support your claim. In this post, I put together some tips about developing… read more
The Importance of Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 24, 2022 | Disability Compensation
The VA has a duty to assist claimants in generating or gathering the evidence they need to substantiate their claims for disability compensation benefits. One part of that duty is for the VA to obtain medical examinations, which the VA calls Compensation and Pension Examinations (C&P exams). The VA claims and appeals process can be… read more
The Differences Between VA Disability Compensation Benefits and VA Pension Benefits
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 24, 2022 | Disability Compensation,PTSD Benefits,State Veteran Benefits
Although VA disability compensation benefits and VA pension benefits are both a type of monthly payment, that is where the similarities end. In short, VA disability compensation benefits are monthly payments for medical disability’s that are related to active duty, while VA pension benefits are monthly payments made to a veteran when they are unable… read more
What Is The Job Of A Va Lawyer?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 24, 2022 | Disability Compensation,Firm News,Legal Update,PTSD Benefits,State Veteran Benefits
In my opinion, a VA representative’s job is two-fold. First, help the veteran win their appeal for disability compensation benefits by obtaining the evidence needed to win the claim and putting forth persuasive legal arguments. Almost as equally important is to review a veteran’s entire VA claims file to determine if any additional past-due benefits… read more
VA Proposes to Change How it Rates Sleep Apnea
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 16, 2022 | Firm News
The VA announced that it is beginning the process of amending its rating criteria for sleep apnea to change the way it assigns ratings. These changes are currently in the proposal stage and are subject to change before they are finalized in the following months. Why is VA Revising the Rating Criteria for Sleep Apnea?… read more
VA Proposes to Eliminate Tinnitus as a Standalone Disability
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 16, 2022 | Firm News
The VA announced that it is beginning the process of amending its regulations to eliminate tinnitus as a standalone disability. Instead, tinnitus will only be evaluated as part of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, or TBI. Keep in mind this is currently only a proposal and has not been finalized. Why… read more
VA to Amend Rating Criteria for PTSD and Other Mental Disorders
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | February 16, 2022 | Firm News
The VA announced that it is beginning the process of amending its rating criteria for PTSD and other mental disorders. These changes are currently in the proposal stage and are subject to change before they are finalized in the following months. Why is VA Revising the Rating Criteria for Mental Disorders? The VA continuously revises… read more
Evaluating Subjective Symptoms Due To TBI
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | December 29, 2021 | Disability Compensation,Health Benefits,State Veteran Benefits
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most significant injuries former combat veterans suffer. According to health officials, there has been an uptick in TBI in military service members who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is because of the enemy’s use of roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, not all TBIs are caused by… read more
