Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a step forward toward alleviating the backlog of disability claims, but that problem is still far from solved. For the first time since February 2011, the number of backlogged disability claims dropped below the 350,000 mark. That’s a decrease of more than 250,000 cases in the past year, […]
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Medical Issues / Disability, News and Press
Jim Fausone Veteran Disabilty Lawyer Those veterans who flew on C-123 airplanes dropped more than 10 million gallons of Agent Orange to destroy enemy cover and crops during the Vietnam War. After the war between 1972 and 1982, about 1,500 men and women served aboard 34 C-123s that were previously deployed in Operation Ranch Hand, a […]
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Claims Processing
James G. Fausone VA Disability Lawyer VA claims it is at a tipping point in breaking the back of the department’s massive claims backlog. VA maintains this because it is done with the so-called Nehmer review ordered by the Federal Court. That was a review of Agent Orange disability claims generally for added presumptive claims […]
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Claims Processing
We are delighted to share a happy ending to a long battle with the Veterans Administration (VA) for one of our clients. We will refer to her as “Cindy” and her husband “Max”. With the death of her husband Max, an Army veteran of Vietnam, in March of 2001, Cindy began the long process of […]
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Medical Issues / Disability
by Kristina Derro Veteran Disability Lawyer The VA has updated the list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that have operated on Vietnam’s inland waterways, docked on shore, or had crewmembers sent ashore. The veterans who served on these ships during the time frame in question will be considered to have presumptive exposure to […]
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Claims Processing, News and Press
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer Most veterans know that the expansion of the Agent Orange (AO) presumptions last year were long over due. But some in Congress question that decision and its costs. Certain Senators argue the Agent Orange Act of 1991 is flawed, providing too much authority to the VA secretary and allowing […]
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Claims Processing
by Jim Fausone Veteran Disability Lawyer Many veterans believe that they were exposed to Agent Orange (AO) outside of Vietnam. Those veterans want the VA’s presumptive illnesses to apply to them. The VA and DOD have limited the areas where it is recognized that AO was used and exposure was possible. Some veterans are trying […]
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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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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 […]
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Claims Processing, Medical Issues / Disability
by Kristina Derro Many individuals have previously filed claims for disabilities that have recently been added as presumptive diseases for Agent Orange exposure. As a result of Nehmer, these individuals can have their previous claims reinstated and adjudicated. The VA is doing just that—hundreds of thousands of previously denied cases have been reopened and are […]
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