Burn Pit Victims Struggle to Find Healthcare

In an effort to assist burn pit victims, a Veterans Administration-sponsored burn pit online registry was supposed to connect Veterans with appropriate medical care. That hasn’t happened, according to one advocacy group. “The health problems experienced by the many veterans who deployed to Southwest Asia warrant sustained and rigorous attention and need to be addressed, […]

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Spinal Fusion Surgery and VA Benefits

FAQ About Spinal Fusion Surgery and VA Benefits Read more to learn about spinal fusion surgery and the available VA Benefits for this condition. Military activity is hard on the joints, especially the spine. Most veterans spend a substantial amount of time carrying heavy objects, bending, standing, walking, and otherwise placing significant stress on their […]

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Nuts and Bolts of a VA Disability Claim

Recent, protracted, and violent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have pushed the official number of veterans with a VA disability claim of at least 70% disability to over two million. That unofficial count, including veterans with less than a 70% disability, may be much higher. This unofficial number also includes veterans who abandon their claims […]

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PTSD and Substance Abuse Can Lead to Early Death

Researchers at Boston University have completed a study looking at the interplay between PTSD and substance abuse. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and external psychological markers like substance abuse predict early death in veterans. The study authors, who focused on veterans with PTSD, found a high risk of premature death beginning at the cellular level.  “Our […]

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VA Changes PACT Act Process

Before the VA changed the PACT Act process, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act required veterans who wanted to file claims for compensation for a presumptive illness to wait a couple of years for the legislation to go into effect. Burn pit and other victims would have to wait up to a year before […]

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VA TDIU Requirements – Understanding How to Qualify

What are the basic TDIU Requirements? The basic VA disability rating scheme is pretty straightforward: the VA will compensate disabled veterans at a rate based on their level of disability. A ratings-based compensation means a veteran for whom the VA will pay an 80% disability rating more each month than a veteran for whom the […]

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Can I Get Workers’ Compensation and VA Disability?

This confusion is understandable since both workers’ compensation and VA disability are meant to replace lost wages and pay medical bills, albeit in different ways. But to answer this question, yes, you can get VA disability and workers’ compensation benefits, sometimes for the same injury or illness. Benefits have declined in both cases in recent […]

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The Link Between Combat and Infertility

One of the nation’s largest fertility clinics is partnering with the Veterans Administration to conduct a study about combat and infertility among veterans. Researchers plan to test sperm collected from 1,000 veterans of the Global War on Terror to look for commonalities in fertility issues among the population. They believe burn pit exposure during service, […]

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Can You Receive State Unemployment Benefits and VA Disability Benefits?

The government offers benefits, including unemployment benefits, to residents and their families in times of need. Veterans may qualify for disability benefits from the Veterans Administration and unemployment benefits from the federal or state government simultaneously because the types of benefits serve different purposes. The biggest difference between unemployment and disability benefits is that unemployment […]

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