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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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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? […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In order to win a claim for service connection for a disability, you must have a diagnosis of a current disability. Without a current diagnosis, the VA may deny your claim without even examining you. The process of obtaining a diagnosis for a disability is similar, whether it resulted from an auto accident, a fall, […]

The VA, unfortunately, often makes errors when adjudicating disability claims. The mistakes in judgment may lead to a low rating or a total denial of disability compensation. If you’ve received a low rating or have been denied disability compensation benefits by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, you should check to see if the VA made […]

If you or a loved one were harmed – or worse – by care received in a VA facility, then one of your options to recover against the VA is to make a “Section 1151 claim” which is a type of medical malpractice claim. If successful, the injury you suffered will be considered to be […]