If the VA attributes the death to a disability acquired or aggravated, in line of duty or service in the military then the VA may deem the expiration as a service-connected death. Surviving family members, mostly surviving spouses, of deceased disabled veterans could be eligible for a monetary benefit known as Dependency & Indemnity Compensation, […]
The deputy inspector general of the Veterans Affairs Department says the agency’s electronic healthcare, the VA’s new records management system, does not meet minimum quality standards. The VA has, until recently, used a software program called VistA to manage its healthcare records. In 2017, the agency decided to replace it with a new EHR, […]
Let’s look at securing a total disability rating from the VA and having it based on Individual Unemployability. There are several ways to be considered 100 percent disabled by VA standards. One way is to obtain a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, or TDIU. TDIU differs from a regular 100 percent rating, or combination […]
Veterans are now waiting on the United States Senate to pass the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021. This is the bill to expand VA burn pit coverage, better known as the PACT Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. Pat Murray, the legislative director for the Veterans of […]
The Veterans Administration has opened the digital door to additional contractors, even those who have never done business with the federal government before. “For those that are interested in trying to help break that – that black hole mold of trying to figure out how to do business, we’re rolling out — and it’s […]
Asbestos exposure causes most cases of mesothelioma. Navy veteran and famous actor Steve McQueen was only 48 years old when he began showing symptoms of an aggressive cancer called mesothelioma. He was only 50 years old when the cancer took his life less than two years later. His wife confirmed McQueen was first exposed to […]
Learning how to determine if a Veteran has PTSD can be an intimidating task. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is one of the most complex disorders treated by the VA, and one of the hardest to diagnose. It is a mental disorder that develops when the individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD is […]
As part of its fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, the VA wants expanded infertility treatment and payment options related to sexual health. Specifically fertility treatments. It has asked for an additional $10.5 million as part of its proposal, an increase from prior years. The proposal would require legislation allowing the VA to expand covered fertility […]
If you are a veteran living with the echoes of a traumatic event, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It can cause symptoms like flashbacks, severe anxiety, and nightmares, making you feel “stuck” […]
Veterans with more than one service-connected disability or with a highly rated disability, which affect their ability to work, may apply for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. TDIU is a rated condition separate from the normal rating scheme, which looks at a disabled veteran’s ability to obtain and maintain gainful employment. There […]