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
How Does VA Rate PTSD and other Psychiatric Disorders?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | June 8, 2021 | Firm News
A study conducted in the late eighties found that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among veterans that served during the Vietnam era was 30.9% for men and 26.9% for women. A study conducted in the late nineties estimated the prevalence of PTSD among Gulf War veterans to be 10% to 12%. And a study conducted… read more
VA Attorney Fee Agreements: How Much Does a VA Disability Lawyer Cost?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | June 8, 2021 | Firm News
Generally, there is no upfront fee for legal representation by a VA disability lawyer. Most VA disability lawyers use contingent fee arrangements. This means that instead of charging by the hour, most VA disability attorneys receive a percentage of the veteran’s past-due benefits (back pay) that is won on appeal. So, hiring a VA disability… read more
Agent Orange and Bladder Cancer, Parkinsonism, and Hypothyroidism
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | May 28, 2021 | Firm News
The VA finally announced that it will begin implementing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which amended 38 U.S.C. § 1116 to add to the list of conditions that are presumptively associated with exposure to Agent Orange the conditions of bladder cancer, Parkinsonism, and hypothyroidism. What Does this Mean? This means that… read more
What is Relevant Evidence in a TDIU Claim?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | April 29, 2021 | Firm News
Assessing all relevant evidence of record is required to determine TDIU entitlement. Evidence that can be used to support entitlement to VA individual unemployability benefits can take many forms ranging from medical opinions to education and work history. How do Medical Opinions Impact TDIU Claims? The professional opinions of psychologists, doctors, nurses, etc. hold a… read more
Does A Serious Disability Entitle Me to Additional Compensation from the VA?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | April 14, 2021 | Firm News
Veterans who lost or lose of the use of specific organs or body parts due to their military service might be entitled to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) benefits. Furthermore, additional SMC benefits are permitted for veterans who are rated at the 100 percent rate and meet one of the following criteria: housebound, bedridden, or requires… read more
How Does Work and Education Factor Into a TDIU Claim
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | March 7, 2021 | Firm News
Two major factors that VA is required to consider when determining whether the veteran’s service connected disabilities preclude them from securing substantially gainful employment are education and employment history. VA is not allowed to simply imply that work history or education are the reasons for a denied claim without attempting to relate these factors… read more
