by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer After fighting for benefits for years, a veteran is awarded compensation but VA can still cause immense frustration by declaring a veteran incompetent and appointing a fiduciary. A fiduciary is not appointed by a court, just a VA employee. The fiduciary may be a family member or it may […]
Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD, Veterans Law
There are two important points here: (1) you are entitled to a Purple Heart if you suffered a TBI as a result of enemy action and (2) because Purple Heart status entitles you to special treatment by VA, it is important to receive the Purple Heart. Military Uniform Regulations currently call for awarding Purple Heart […]
Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veterans Disability Lawyer Social media has made its way to the VA. Blogging is now in the VA’s communication tool box. VA has hired former bloggers who were critical for VA to come to the other side and blog for VA. The mission is to revolutionize how the VA interacts with veterans […]
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer Banks and mortgage companies continue to step in it. There are state and federal laws which protect service members from home foreclosure when they are active duty. But Michigan recently had a case go to trial, and settle before the jury decided the case, on just this issue. An Iraq War […]
Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer It is rare for the US Supreme Court to take up a case involving veteran issues. In a recent decision known as Henderson, Justice Samuel Alito said, “The (Department of Veterans Affairs) is charged with the responsibility of assisting veterans in developing evidence that supports their claims, and in evaluating […]
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer My nephew is still in Afghanistan with the Marines. His year is almost up. My wife, a retired Brigadier General, and I pray he returns safely. But it is clear that not all families in this country are making sacrifices during this decade of war. While an all volunteer military is a good […]
Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veterans Disability Lawyer We hear from veterans who served in Thailand, Korea, Japan, Philippines, etc., that claim to be exposed to Agent Orange. Boots on the ground in Vietnam results in presumed AO exposure. The evidence about certain Thailand bases is pretty solid. VA also recognizes spraying of AO around the Korean […]
by Jim Fausone Veterans Disability Lawyer So the government lets veterans hire lawyers, but it is not happy about that. When the VA is wrong at the Court of Appeals, which it is about 75% of the time, VA has to pay legal fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). The fees are limited, but […]
by Jim Fausone Veterans Disability Lawyer A group of former military members are suing the senior leaders of DOD claiming they have been slow to change the DOD culture. They claim the senior leaders are tolerating rape and harassment of women service members. The suit was filed this week and NBC reported the story this […]
Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer Vets were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, Thailand and Korea. Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea will have an easier path to access quality health care and benefits under a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) final regulation that will expand the dates […]