Category: Disability Compensation

Introduction One of the recent transformations in disability law for veterans, concerns pain-based claims for disability compensation. Traditionally, if a veteran’s pain could not be tied to a diagnosed or identified condition, the veteran would be ineligible for disability compensation. However, this standard has been challenged and reshaped over time. Table of Contents Pain Alone […]

Introduction: For veterans grappling with mental disorders, navigating disability compensation claims can present a unique set of challenges. These challenges may differ from claims based on physical disorders, and understanding the nuances can make a significant difference. In this post, we delve into some of these challenges and offer tips to overcome them. Table of […]

Introduction Understanding the differences between compensation and pension is crucial for effective representation of claimants before the VA. Both benefits are rooted in disability, but they differ significantly in their criteria and implementation. Table of Contents Comparing VA Compensation and Pension The Impact of Employment on Service-Connected Disability Compensation Income, Estate Value, and Compensation Benefits […]

Introduction A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU or IU) enables veterans to meet their basic financial needs when they are unable to work due to service-connected disabilities. There may be situations, however, when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) might propose to discontinue entitlement to TDIU benefits. In this blog post, I will […]

Introduction: A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU or IU) is an extremely valuable benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans whose service-connected disabilities render them unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The effective date of TDIU determines the amount of back pay that a veteran receives, and there […]

Congress this week passed the PACT Act, which might be the most significant piece of VA benefits legislation in years. In short, the PACT Act makes it so that the VA presumes certain cancers and respiratory conditions are considered automatically related to service for Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans. The PACT Act also expands the […]

The difference between a TDIU and a 100% schedular combined rating can be confusing. Here is a breakdown of each rating and how they work. A Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (abbreviated as TDIU or IU) is where the VA pays a veteran at the […]

Service members may suffer from a variety of mental health problems following their time in the military. Veterans might experience mental illnesses such as PTSD, anxiety, anger and irritability, panic attacks, depression, and memory loss, which can affect the daily life and well-being of a veteran. While physical illnesses are generally easy to evaluate, symptoms […]

In 2018, the VA Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) released a report that revealed the VA schedules and conducts unnecessary reexaminations for disabled veterans. The report revealed that the VA would waste an additional $100 million in five years on these unwarranted reexams if left unchecked. So, what should you do when you find […]

Once service connection is in effect for a disability, a veteran can file a claim for increased rating at any time. Once a veteran requests an increased rating, the VA will schedule them for a C&P examination, and after the examination, the VA will issue a rating decision that either increases the rating or continues […]