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
What Factors Can the VA Consider for TDIU?
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | March 2, 2021 | Firm News
Although many complicated factors form the overall picture of whether a veteran is able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, VA regulations prevent them from taking certain factors into account when making decisions on entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU or IU). Even though many elements may unquestionably contribute to the overall picture of whether… read more
How a TDIU Rating Allows Veterans to Receive the 100 Percent Payment Rate
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | December 27, 2020 | Firm News
There are two ways to receive the 100 percent payment rate from VA. The first way is to have a service-connected disability or disabilities that combine to create a 100 percent schedular rating, but it can be challenging to receive a 100 percent combined rating – especially if you are combining multiple disabilities to receive… read more
VA Disability For Gulf War Syndrome
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | December 12, 2020 | Firm News
If you served in the military during the Gulf War and you have some disabling symptoms that cannot be explained by a specific medical condition, you may qualify for VA disability benefits. Some of those symptoms include: Migraines or severe headaches Sustained, debilitating fatigue Difficulty sleeping Memory problems Cognition issues Digestive ailments If you are… read more
Schedular versus Extraschedular TDIU
Posted by Gregory M. Rada | December 1, 2020 | Firm News
There are two paths to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (called, TDIU or IU) from the VA. The easier path is when a veteran meets the rating requirements for a ‘schedular’ TDIU, however, a veteran can still receive a TDIU rating even if they don’t meet the rating requirements for schedular… read more
