Service connection for any disability requires three elements. First, the Veteran must have had an injury, illness, or event which first presented or occurred in active-duty service. Second, the Veteran must have a current disability which is related to the in-service...
In some circumstances, widows who are 50 to 59 years old and disabled may draw benefits on the earnings record of their deceased spouse. Generally speaking, to be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria: Be at least age 50, but not yet age 60....
Veterans who receive VA disability compensation are likely familiar with the VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams, but a Veteran who is filing a first-time claim may be unfamiliar with the process. A C&P exam is an important part of the VA claims process...
On July 16, 2022 a new nationwide National Suicide Prevention Line will go into effect. Similar to dialing 911, individuals will be able to dial 988 to instantly connect with the National Suicide Prevention Line. Veterans who call 988 for the National Suicide...
The Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act (“HCBP Act”), co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator John Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), has now been passed by the...
Medications can cause numerous side effects, many of them severe. When you are taking those medications to treat a service-connected disability, those side effects can often be service-connected, either in the form of an increased rating for the disability being...
Social Security has released a new electronic protective filing date tool for those wishing to express an intent to file for SSI and other benefits. For those interested in filing for SSI, you can simply go to Social Security’s website and complete the form stating...
Starting in 2019, the VA began processing appeals through a new system called the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The AMA replaced the traditional Legacy process that required Veterans to file a Notice of Disagreement and a VA Form 9 in response to a VA Rating...
If you have served in the military and have sustained injuries while on active duty, you may be entitled to an expedited claim with the Social Security Administration. A case is designated as critical under Military Casualty/Wounded Warrior (MC/WW) status with the...
The Veterans Readiness and Employment Program (or VR&E) was created by the VA as an alternative to the GI Bill for disabled veterans. For veterans who are disabled due to service-related injuries, the VR&E assists those transitioning, discharged, and...
