In order to receive VA disability compensation, your disabling condition must be service connected. There are generally 5 ways for a Veteran to establish service connection which include direct service connection, presumptive service connection, secondary service...
Disability solutions for you and your family
Month: September 2022
Medical Equivalence or Medically Meeting a Listing in Social Security Disability
I previously wrote back in 2017 regarding the rules in a Social Security case that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses for determining medical equivalence. SSA has compiled what is referred to as a Listing of Impairments and the criteria to meet these...
VA Considering Changing the Disability Ratings for Mental Health Conditions
The VA has announced proposed changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), including the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The VA has stated the goal is to change the focus from the number and type of symptoms the Veteran is experiencing, and...
Is your back injury a disability?
Back pain is one of the most common things that people experience as they grow older. This is often lower back pain, it can be incredibly serious. It can even get to the point that it limits mobility. But if you’ve been dealing with this, you may just have assumed...
VA Deprived Veterans of $14 Million in Benefits Due to Mishandled Camp Lejeune Claims
A recent report from a top VA watchdog has found that the Department of Veterans Affairs have mishandled nearly 40% of all disability claims filed for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The mishandled claims have delayed benefits for at...
Low Birth Weight in Infants
Because low birth weight infants may experience problems related to their prematurity and associated perinatal complications, the Social Security Administration has made low birth weight a criteria for disability of a child under Supplemental Security Income. In doing...
My 3-Year Work Anniversary with Gardberg and Kemmerly
I began working as a Veteran’s Disability Compensation in August of 2019. My previous practice centered mainly around personal injury and similar tort claims. When I started with Gardberg and Kemmerly, I thought that this line of work would be similar. I quicky...
Compassionate Allowances and Social Security Disability
Social Security has a list of Compassionate Allowance conditions which can help to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers,...
Do Spouses and Children of Veterans Qualify for CHAMPVA?
In certain circumstances, the spouse or child of a Veteran with a service-connected disability or who has died may qualify for healthcare through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA assists by helping with...
Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma, and its Effect on Veterans
Veterans who served in any branch of the US military between the 1930s and 1990s are at risk of having been exposed to asbestos during their period of service and could be entitled to disability benefits from VA. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos in-service and...