Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
Kristina L. Derro, Esq. Veterans have struggled for years to efficiently navigate through the VA appeals process. Appealing disability benefits claims could take, on average, three to five years to complete. Many of these benefits are critical to thousands of veterans worldwide, and they can’t afford to be kept waiting years for the process to […]
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News and Press
President Trump announced a new initiative to improve veterans’ access to health care using technology. Several tools will serve to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) existing telehealth services, including a new application that allows patients to schedule appointments from their mobile devices. Veterans can use their smartphones or computers to connect with their […]
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News and Press
A bipartisan group of 40 House lawmakers wrote a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin. They criticized the VA for slow reimbursements to private medical providers, which are damaging the credit reports of veterans who use the Veterans Choice Program. The Veterans Choice Program allows eligible veterans to seek health care […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
Kristina L. Derro, Esq. After complaints from Congress and special counsel, a government audit found that 140 veterans who were seeking specialized service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Memphis were wrongly booted from wait lists. Some of these veterans had already been waiting months. The complaints asserted that the VA was attempting […]
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News and Press
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in July posted an online list of adverse actions taken against employees this year including demotions, suspensions and removals. It marked the first time such information was shared publicly. VA officials described the list as an effort to increase transparency in the department. The list shows that disciplinary actions […]
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News and Press
Kristina L. Derro, Esq. There has been controversy swirling around the VA’s decision earlier this year to remove thousands of caregivers from the Caregiver Support Program, leaving many veterans helpless. This criticism led to a three month suspension, during which the VA says it has reviewed the issues and “have taken immediate steps to improve […]
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News and Press
A new line of prosthetics developed by the Pentagon could soon change the lives of former service members who have lost their limbs on the battlefield. Two army veterans recently tested prosthetic arms at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in New York. The prosthetics are called LUKE, which stands for Life Under Kinetic […]
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PTSD
A recent study seeks to explain why veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at an increased risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. Researchers are attributing the threat to the intense “fight or flight” response that combat veterans experience during moments of mental stress. Findings from previous research show that veterans have an […]
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News and Press
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is defending its proposal to cut tens of thousands of dollars in financial support and unemployment benefits for elderly and disabled veterans. Nearly 225,000 former service members — including 7,000 over the age of 80 — could lose their payments. The plan is part of President Donald Trump’s proposed […]
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News and Press
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is doing an about-turn from the target of zero veteran homelessness set by former President Barack Obama’s administration. However, VA Secretary David Shulkin insists the department is simply modifying the goal rather than abandoning it. Shulkin said ending veteran homelessness completely will take much longer than previously predicted. The […]
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