Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer We all know the IEDs and TBI are the signature problems of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Battlefield doctors in Afghanistan diagnosed more than 300 troops per month with concussions or mild traumatic brain injuries last summer. A recent study suggested an eighth of an inch of padding would decrease injuries […]
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Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer When VA recognized additional presumptive disabilities, you could expect an increase in claims. So the VA added 3,000 claims processors last year, for a total of 14,000. Nevertheless, the number of veterans’ initial disability claims taking more than four months to complete has doubled. The number of claims that take […]
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Claims Processing, News and Press, Veterans Law
by Kristina Derro Veteran Disability Lawyer A 2008 survey performed by the military revealed that over 21% of service women are victims of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Unfortunately, due to the private nature and the stigma attached to this type of assault, along with the embarrassment and fear of retaliation that the victims have, most […]
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News and Press
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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News and Press, Veterans Law
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 […]
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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 […]
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News and Press
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 […]
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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 […]
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