Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Sep
07

Getting Old Fast

Mental Health, PTSD

Kristina L. Derro Veteran Disability Lawyer As if our veterans haven’t struggled enough while overseas, they appear to be facing new physical and psychological difficulties when they return home. According to a study currently being conducted at a VA hospital in Massachusetts, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan appear to be growing old before their time.  […]

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Sep
06

900,000 Backlog

Claims Processing

James G. Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer The VA is currently dealing with a backlog of nearly 900,000 compensation and pension claims.  Why the hold up?  More complex disability claims are slowing the processing time on these claims. The average claim from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans now includes more than nine disability issues – far more […]

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Sep
02

New Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot Program May Help America’s War Veterans

News and Press

Even though the casualty rates in Afghanistan and Iraq appear to be lower than in other conflict areas, veterans are returning home with serious complications. Since the realization that repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in life-long cognitive issues, government researchers and those working for academia have been working to determine how to manage […]

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Aug
30

VA Not Making the Grade

Claims Processing

James G. Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer An annual survey of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ services was circulated to veterans by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC.  The direct e-mail and social media survey went to hundreds of veterans involved with the VA disability claim process around the country. Veterans with disability claims were asked […]

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Aug
29

Veteran Education

GI Bill

Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer As a Schoolcraft College Trustee, I receive the magazine Trustee Quarterly.   The following article from the Summer 2012 issue is from VA Secretary Shinseki’s speech to a College Trustee Convention this summer.  It’s worth reading this short passage: A Call To Action Community colleges can also serve as catalysts for […]

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Aug
17

Is the Cure for Veteran Unemployment Just a Viral Video Away?

Employment

By Kristina Derro Veterans Disability Lawyer It can be difficult for military veterans to find a job even in good economy.  In a down economy, finding a job is even tougher.  For vets returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the unemployment rate is at more than 12%, which is roughly 4% higher […]

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Aug
17

Military Funeral Protection

News and Press, Veterans Law

Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone (Ret.) Veteran Advocate On Monday, President Barack Obama signed the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act into law.  This law provides a wide-ranging package of benefits to military personnel. Included in the law are new restrictions on protesting at military funerals.  Under the legislation, protests cannot […]

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Aug
15

U.S. Military Receiving Updated Blast Sensors for Head Injuries

Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law

Kristina Derro Veteran Disability Lawyer The U.S. Army is currently awaiting the delivery of 1,000 blast sensor packs to help specialists assess how soldiers are affected during and after exposure to explosions. The packs, called Soldier Body Units (SBU), consist of four sensors: the sensors collect data from the head and chest areas when soldiers […]

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Aug
13

President Signs Camp Lejeune Bill

Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law

Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer Camp Lejeune is a Marine base in North Carolina.  From 1957 to 1987, Marines and their families were exposed to contaminated ground water.  Health officials believe as many as 1 million people may have been exposed to the tainted groundwater at Camp Lejeune over the thirty years. Last Monday, President […]

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Aug
09

Veterans With ALS

Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health

Kristina Derro Veterans Disability Lawyer Veterans may be at a higher risk of developing ALS, also known as Lou Gherig’s disease. Several studies have found a possible link between the disease and military service.  Because of these findings, in 2008 the Department of Veteran Affairs began setting aside benefits specifically for veterans who developed the […]

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