Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Jan
25

Four Oft-Overlooked VA Benefits

GI Bill

Military veterans are familiar with the healthcare and education benefits provided by the VA. Yet, there are many other benefits that can be overlooked and could prove invaluable in helping veterans with the transition from active military into civilian life. The following are four oft-overlooked VA benefits that veterans could find highly useful. Long-term care […]

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Dec
28

VA will not end payments over marijuana

News and Press

Michigan voters recently approved legalizing recreational marijuana in Michigan, which already has legal medical marijuana. Yet, the federal government does not allow federal medical services providers to prescribe medical marijuana beyond using CBD, which has no THC or intoxicating effects. In the federal government’s eyes, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, which means it is […]

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Dec
19

The Army Is Stepping Up of Help Soldiers Transfer to Civilian Jobs

Employment, News and Press

The Army is now offering a journeymen apprenticeship program that can be completed with training and job skills a soldier would already possess. The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program lets soldiers pick more than a hundred job titles that would relate to their Military Occupation Specialty. They can enroll at no extra cost or use […]

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Dec
14

VA Reneges on Student Repayments

News and Press

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on November 27 informed Congress it will not follow through on a recent promise to repay student veterans who were underpaid their GI Bill benefits. The announcement, first reported by NBC News, runs counter to the VA’s recent promise to make good on delayed or omitted payments to student […]

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Dec
10

Binge Drinking and Drunk Driving Have Always Been a Concern for Veterans

News and Press, PTSD, Uncategorized

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has taken a closer look at the instances of veterans engaging in binge drinking and its potential causes. The rate of binge drinking has climbed from roughly 14% in 2013 to just under 16% in recent years. With this increase of alcohol abuse has come a rise in […]

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Dec
07

Multiple TBI injuries increase suicide risk

PTSD

Combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have a much greater risk of suicide than those who did not suffer such head injuries. A new VA study indicated veterans with multiple TBI injuries are about twice as likely to report having suicidal thoughts during a week […]

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Nov
30

Many TBI veterans qualify for special monthly compensation

News and Press

The U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently extended special monthly compensation benefits to veterans afflicted with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The special monthly compensation is an aid benefit that the VA in June extended to qualifying veterans with TBI. The pay is in addition to disability benefits already approved for veterans. For veterans with […]

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Nov
26

Of the Myriad Threats to Our Troops, Would Anyone Have Expected Energy Drinks to Be One of Them?

Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD

It’s no secret that our armed forces have a passion for energy drinks. Take just a cursory look in any military installation and the rampant use of liquid caffeine can be seen anywhere and everywhere. This sugary substance abuse stems from a need to remain alert and active. Troops in active combat areas have regularly […]

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Nov
16

VA case backlog getting worse

Claims Processing

The inspector general for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports a backlog on processing veterans’ benefits applications is much worse than initially indicated. The September report indicates the VA ignored or omitted tens of thousands of cases that are more than 125 days old when recently reporting improvements in processing benefits applications. The […]

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Nov
09

VA boosts COLA rate for veterans

News and Press

The nation’s and Michigan’s military veterans recently received great news with an increase in their cost of living allowance (COLA) from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA implemented a 2.8 percent boost in their annual benefits pay for veterans this year. The increase is the largest single-year boost since 2012 and is […]

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