Legal Help for Veterans blog.
News and Press
by Jim Fausone VSOs play an important role in the reintegration of troops into society and the delivery of veteran benefits information. The reduction in members is of concern to the survival of VSOs. These groups have to make themselves more relevant to today’s veterans. The groups are adopting the use of social media. The American […]
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Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability
by Kristina Derro Many individuals have previously filed claims for disabilities that have recently been added as presumptive diseases for Agent Orange exposure. As a result of Nehmer, these individuals can have their previous claims reinstated and adjudicated. The VA is doing just that—hundreds of thousands of previously denied cases have been reopened and are […]
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Mental Health, PTSD
by Jim Fausone The VA often funds research that is helpful in understanding complex medical conditions. VA and Stanford University completed a large study that shows that among younger veterans enrolled in VA health care, those with a mental health condition—especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—tend to have more physical ailments. The results, published online Sept. 18 in […]
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News and Press
by Jim Fausone I am often asked about being married to a General. Believe me it has its benefits but it is not always easy. Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone has spent 32 years wearing the Air Force blue uniform with assignments all over the world. Currently, she is the Assistant Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs […]
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Mental Health, PTSD
by Jim Fausone The rash of suicides this year that involve members of the military has been getting plenty of attention. Veterans face the same suicide problem brought on by the stress of war. Military veterans with psychiatric illnesses are at increased risk for suicide, says a new study by the University of Michigan in conjunction with US Department of […]
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Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press, Veterans Law
by Jim Fausone VA announced that on November 1st it has finally started making payments under the new AO rules. Providing initial payments – or increases to existing payments – to the 200,000 Veterans who now qualify for disability compensation is expected to take several months. The three new presumptive diseases which have been in the press all year are: […]
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Claims Processing, Veterans Law
by Jim Fausone VA has begun releasing forms on specific disabilities for use by its physicians. This initiative marks the beginning of a major reform of the physicians’ guides and automated routines that will streamline the claims process for injured or ill Veterans. 79 different disabilities are to get the new forms. This initiative will […]
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News and Press
by Jim Fausone The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) set up an independent political action committee (PAC) years ago. The VFW has about 1.5 million members, and the endorsement from its PAC is usually widely advertised by the candidates. Now the VFW PAC is being challenged for endorsing incumbents in Congress. VFW’s commander in chief, Richard […]
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Mental Health, PTSD, Veterans Law
by Jim Fausone The story is not that unusual – a service member suffering from psychological problems starts to self medicate, gets kicked out of the service and loses access to VA benefits. Veterans advocates see cynical forces at play in the use of administrative discharges for reasons including misconduct, personality disorder and adjustment disorder — defined as […]
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Claims Processing, News and Press, Veterans Law
by Jim Fausone We get asked all the time – “can you make VA move faster on my claim?” My answer is “No one can make VA move fast”. The US Supreme Court just agreed with me. On Monday the Supreme Court announced it will not hear a case challenging a lack of speed by the government. The Vietnam […]
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