Military service is dangerous. Even non-combatant specialties can face dangers such as the risk of concussions, hearing loss, mental distress, and other physical and mental issues. In the vast majority of cases, these are simply a natural consequence of military service. For instance, despite the use of hearing protection when using firearms or explosives, military…
A physical injury you sustain while serving your country can differ in several ways from a mental health condition you develop during your time in service. Nonetheless, the two types of injuries share at least something in common: a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. When required, completing a C&P exam is an essential step to…
When your VA disability benefits claim is finally approved, your award will consist of both ongoing monthly disability benefits and retroactive benefits. Retroactive benefits are benefits received for the period beginning on the effective date of your claim up through the date your claim is approved and you begin receiving your monthly benefit. The reason…
VA disability benefits are intended to assist injured veterans with addressing their costs of living when they are not able to fully work. But as the past few years have clearly demonstrated, the cost for everyday goods and services tends to go up rather than go down. If VA disability benefits did not take this…
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common, especially among those who play sports or are in the military. According to the International Brain Injury Association, as many as one million Americans are treated and released from hospital emergency rooms for brain injuries every year. About 80,000 individuals each year sustain a brain injury and suffer some…
Once your claim for VA disability benefits is granted, you will receive an award letter talking about the benefits you will be receiving. Part of this letter informs you of your disability rating, a number reflected as a percentage. The disability rating is the VA’s determination of how much your earning potential is impacted by…
You might wonder if there is a difference between a VA disability claims lawyer and a VA disability appeal lawyer. At first, it might not appear like there is much, if any, distinction at all between these two types of advocates. However, just like you cannot hammer a nail effectively if all you have is…
One of the many benefits of the PACT Act that was signed into law last year was an expansion of the list of presumptive benefits that can entitle a veteran to disability benefits. Nearly two dozen presumptive conditions, including conditions tied to toxic burn pit exposure, mean that more veterans facing certain serious conditions can…
While the VA strives to provide veterans with quality medical care for their injuries and illnesses, the Administration does not always live up to this ideal. Over a ten-year period, recent reporting in Dayton uncovered that the VA paid out nearly $850 million in compensation to settle approximately 4,400 malpractice claims. Every malpractice claim against…
In most situations, once you file a VA disability claim, you will want to continue with that claim and any appeal rights you have until you have exhausted all options available to you. There is good reason to follow this advice in most cases: while you can file as many VA disability claims as you…