Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Uncategorized
The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) is supporting IT modernization projects at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Agriculture Department The seven-member board that manages the TMF announced recently it is investing $9.1 million in NARA to address a pandemic-era backlog of veterans’ record requests. TMF is also giving the USDA $4.4 million […]
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Claims Processing
After reviewing and approving a service-connected compensation claim, The Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) assigns a disability rating for the veteran’s condition. The rating depends on the severity of a veteran’s disability, ranging from 0 to 100 percent, in 10 percent increments. Those who receive a rating of at least 10 percent are eligible for […]
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PTSD
Those seeking VA disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) may need to submit a “stressor statement.” Stressor statements refer to a written description of the claimant’s experiences that led to the development of their PTSD. While the VA provides a “statement in support of claim” form where the claimant can write their statements, an […]
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Medical Issues / Disability
According to the VA Office of Inspector General (“OIG”), sleep apnea is the most common service-connected disability of all the respiratory conditions for which veterans secure benefits. Reports by the OIG indicate that approximately 1.3 million veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (“VHA”) have a sleep apnea diagnosis. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious […]
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Uncategorized
Last month, lawmakers took the first steps in ensuring veterans receive a cost-of-living boost in their VA disability benefits this year. New legislation was introduced that would guarantee veterans’ checks see the same increase as Social Security payouts. Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act Filed by Reps. Elaine Luria (D-VA.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Sens. Jon Tester […]
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News and Press
The answer to that question is that they can induce a state of hypometabolism. This happens when an organism shuts down some of its biological processes not needed immediately for survival. The most exciting part of the latest research into finding ways to help those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury involves examining how […]
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News and Press, PTSD
A U.S. veteran can be discharged with a less-than-honorable status due to substance abuse and other disorders, which could affect their access to VA benefits. Mr. Mark Stevenson, a U.S. Army vet, is currently challenging the state of affairs with the help of Yale Law students. The goal of the lawsuit is to have Mr. […]
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PTSD
Cannabis has long been in use by veterans to relieve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But does cannabis treat PTSD or assist in dealing with the symptoms? There is evidence that it reduces nightmares and re-living traumatic situations for combat vets. While useful, the side effects are deemed harmful with long-term use, and […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, Uncategorized
This year, we’ve heard from many clients that their monthly VA disability benefits do not reflect their spouse or additional dependents. Now, this could be due to the COVID-19 pandemic having many veterans restricted to their houses over the last two years. But, if you are rated at or above a certain percentage by the […]
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Claims Processing
Researchers dub traumatic brain injury (TBI) a “signature injury” of the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts. Reports from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center indicate that there have been approximately 350,000 incident diagnoses of TBI over the last 20 years. There are several comorbidities associated with combat-related mild TBI (mTBI). Over one-third of individuals with […]
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