Legal Help for Veterans blog.
May
17

VA Augments Access to Home and Community-Based Services

News and Press

There has always been a need to have services for veterans needing home care or other community-based services. It’s less restrictive for them to choose their programs and the specific help they need. The number of veterans eligible for nursing home care will surge to more than 4 million by 2039. In 2019, that number […]

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May
13

Evidence Suggests TBI Possible Risk Factor for Parkinson’s Disease

Medical Issues / Disability

Recent research suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be a risk factor for various forms of neurodegenerative diseases, including Lewy body dementia, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 110,000 Veterans have PD. PD causes various muscular symptoms, including rigidity, delayed movement, poor balance, and tremors. Other symptoms may include cognitive […]

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May
10

Stressor Statement for VA Disability Compensation Benefits

PTSD

Those seeking VA disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may need to write and submit a compelling “stressor statement” with their application for benefits. While not every case requires a stressor statement, it is a useful evidentiary tool to maximize available benefits. However, some cases do not require them, and the VA should notify […]

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May
06

Obtaining Benefits with a Character of Service Determination

Veterans Law

Generally, service members and veterans with honorable and general discharges can access VA benefits. However, those with other characterizations such as, Other than Honorable (OTH), Undesirable, or Bad Conduct, often face challenges securing benefits. These types of discharges are known as “bad paper.” Many people receive incorrect information about VA benefits eligibility, and the misinformation […]

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May
04

How a Veterans Benefits Attorney Can Help Servicemembers Through Their Compensation and Pension Exams

Veterans Law

After applying for VA compensation or pension benefits, the VA will likely schedule the claimant for a “compensation and pension” (C&P) exam. Typically, these exams take place at a VA clinic or hospital. Unlike routine doctors’ appointments, the examiner will not provide treatment or medication; instead, they focus on evaluating a medical condition. These exams […]

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Apr
29

VA Adds 9 Presumptive Conditions Associated with Burn Pits

Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press

On March 1, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced their intention of adding nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits. At the time this was just a proposal, but fast forward to April 26 and VA announced they have added these nine cancers to the […]

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Apr
21

VA Disability Benefits and Marijuana

Medical Issues / Disability, Veterans Law

Even though many states in the U.S. have legalized the use of marijuana for medical and/or recreational use, veterans should know that federal law still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. Meaning it is illegal in the eyes of the Federal government and Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is required to […]

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Apr
12

VA Benefits for Contaminated Water Exposure

Veterans Law

Veterans who were exposed to contaminated water during active duty may be eligible for service-connected disability benefits. Some contaminated water exposures have already been recognized by the VA and specific disabilities are presumed to be service-connected. This means the veteran does not have to prove the disease is service-connected if they served in a certain […]

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Apr
04

What to Know About the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

News and Press

To help families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, an assistance program has been created with the help of $9.961 billion to help homeowners behind on their mortgages and other housing-related expenses. American Rescue Plan of 2021 As part of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, the federal government recognized that 10 million homeowners were behind […]

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Mar
22

VA Proposes Adding 9 Respiratory Cancers to Presumptive Service Connection List

Uncategorized

On March 1, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced its intention of adding rare respiratory cancers to the presumptive service connection list due to particulate matter exposure from burn pits for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. Respiratory Cancers Associated with Burn Pit Exposure The nine respiratory cancers included in […]

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