Let’s start at the beginning.  A veteran or claimant begins the adjudication process by filing a claim(s) for entitlement to a service-connected disability at one of the many local VA regional offices or with a local DAV or VFW.  A VA employee called a Rating Specialist develops the claim(s) by gathering evidence and then decides the claim and sends it …

Now that you or your spouse have completed your active military duty and returned to the civilian world, you may feel like you have merely exchanged one set of stresses for another, including navigating the VA’s application process for any disability benefits to which you might be entitled. You might have heard about TDIU – total disability individual unemployability – …

RAMP: What is it and it is right for me? The Department of Veterans Affairs is notorious for its red tape. Some injured veterans hoping for disability benefits spend months building a thorough application only to find their claim denied or underrated. In order to appeal the decision, veterans need to bring their claim to either a local Decision Review …

Veteran Diagnosed With Personality Disorder   Military service demands certain sacrifices, but few realize just how demanding active duty can be on a person’s mental state. While much is made about post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize personality disorders as a disability that can be compensated by the VA. Viewed instead as …

Getting emergency health care in a non-VA health care facility paid for by the Veterans Administration is allowed but often difficult for veterans to succeed at.  There are very strict guidelines to this benefit.  A veteran trying to get their non-VA emergency room visit paid for must meet ALL the requirements. The first requirement is the ER visit must meet the definition …

When a veteran suffers disability or death as a consequence of VA sponsored medical treatment, that veteran or their surviving family is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151. Unlike other VA claims, these are not considered “service related,” however they are compensated in a similar manner. Similar laws provide compensation when a veteran is disabled or dies as a result of VA sponsored vocational rehabilitation or work therapy. A …

  A new measure that was introduced in Texas recently would ensure that some military veterans in that state would not be able to pass on unused state tuition benefits to their children. The measure was introduced in the Senate recently, and was approved by the Senate. Under the bill, non-Texas veterans would have to live in the state for …

  An investigation by CBS has found widespread mismanagement at the Department Of Veterans Affairs with the result that many veterans were denied benefits even when they were eligible for these. Every year, the Veterans Benefit Administration processes disability claims for veterans, providing them approximately $95 billion, in disability, pension and other benefits. However, widespread mismanagement at the agency has …

  The Department of Veterans Affairs has introduced new benefits application forms that it says are simple to use. However, the new system is confusing, especially for older veterans, and those who suffer from traumatic brain injuries. Under the new policies, which will take effect on March 24, the informal claim process that earlier allowed veterans to kick start the …

The Veterans Administration has been touting its progress in helping reduce the number of veterans disability claims that are pending processing. However, while that may be true, the fact is that there is also a huge backlog of disability claims appeals filed by veterans, who believe that their claims were wrongfully denied. It is estimated that there are more than …