Cost-of-living or COLA is extremely important for veterans to ensure their compensation keeps up with the pace of inflation. The percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers determines COLA. When the cost of living rises, COLA reflects these changes. The Social Security Administration typically announces the COLA for…
Many veterans suffer from PTSD from the trauma they experienced while serving. Being one of the most common mental illnesses veterans suffer from, veterans with PTSD have a greater chance of being approved for receiving VA benefits. However, it is not uncommon for a PTSD claim to be denied. If your PTSD claim gets rejected,…
A VA discharge upgrade changes the “character of service” shown on your DD-214 discharge certificate. A veteran might apply for a VA discharge upgrade if they received a less favorable characterization from the military other than honorable. The type of discharge a veteran has can influence the benefits they are eligible for after military service….
Medical malpractice within the VA system is when a healthcare professional fails to meet the standard of care and harms a patient at a VA medical facility. When VA medical malpractice occurs to a veteran, they might be thinking, how will I prove this occurred? Medical malpractice claims are crucial for ensuring that veterans receive…
In the VA’s 2023 annual report, it showed that 1.5 million veterans received a VA rating for digestive disorders. Some reasons why a veteran may develop a digestive issue are stress and anxiety from military service, changes in gut microbiome due to deployments, or post-infectious IBS following gastroenteritis during service. The VA rates digestive disorders…
VA medical malpractice is when a medical professional at any Department of Veterans Affairs hospital/facility provides poor service, resulting in injury or harm to the patient. Veterans who have received a misdiagnosis, substandard care, or negligent care while in the care of a VA medical facility may have a case for a medical malpractice suit….
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional benefit paid to veterans who have service-connected disabilities on top of their regular VA disability compensation. This benefit is only offered in special circumstances for veterans who have a severe life-interfering disability. In this blog, we will give an overview of what SMC is, who can receive it,…
VA disability ratings determine the severity of your disability based on the evidence you submit as part of your claim. This rating is used to determine how much disability compensation you’ll receive each month, as well as your eligibility for other VA benefits. The VA Combined Ratings Table is a tool used to calculate a…
Agent Orange was a herbicide blend utilized by the U.S. military in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971 to eliminate vegetation that could conceal enemy forces. Exposure to Agent Orange has been linked to many health issues in veterans, including: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Understanding how to file for VA disability benefits related to…
When the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns a rating to a disability, they do so by assigning a percentage that reflects the severity of the condition and its impact on the veteran’s ability to function in daily life and work. The ratings range from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%, with higher percentages…