Veterans still have the Higher Level Review option even after the 2017 VA disability reforms made some significant changes. For many Veterans, the extended wait time for an appeal hearing is over. Now, an appeal might simply be a matter of filling out a form. It’s not even that bad of a form, no more […]
Veterans who developed rhinitis, sinusitis, or asthma after being exposed to burn pit smoke are now presumptively entitled to monthly benefits. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said the decision was the “right move.” Further, McDonough hinted that he may add more conditions to the presumptive list in the future. The current presumption applies to Veterans who […]
Officials blamed the coronavirus pandemic for their failure to significantly reduce the appeals logjam. They expect the case backlog to continue until at least 2023. “We don’t have the timeline yet. We’re working to set that,” BVA chair Cheryl Mason told the House VA Committee. “The delay in exams and records is impacting the VA’s […]
With rising immunity to Covid, many parts of life are getting back to normal. But that is not the case at the Veterans Administration. Officials expect cases to be seriously backed up until late 2022. The post-pandemic claims backlog is worse than expected. Before the coronavirus pandemic began, a little over 70,000 cases had […]
Is the VA disability process racist? The National Veterans Council for Legal Redress and the Black Veterans Project say maybe. They are suing the Veterans Administration, saying their disability determination process lacks “transparency and accountability.”
Think of VA Form 21-4142 as a specific type of medical release form. Its main purpose is to authorize your private physicians, hospitals, or other healthcare providers to send your relevant medical information directly to the VA.
Frequently, the key to obtaining Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits is successfully filling out VA Form 21-8940. It’s an application for Individual Unemployability disability benefits for a service-connected condition that prevents you from keeping a steady job. While this form is the required application, knowing how to fill it out properly is […]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, disaster, or war. The symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as nightmares, depression, and flashbacks, often make it difficult or impossible to function at work, home, or anywhere else. The nature […]
The Compensation and Pension medical exam system has always had a delay. This year, between some structural changes and the coronavirus pandemic, backlog has tripled. Before the pandemic hit, the VA was well into the process of contracting C&P examinations to non-VA doctors. 60% of examinations were by contractors, rising to nearly 100%. During the […]
To better address the needs of veterans with minor run-ins with the law, the City of Glendale plans to have a designated veterans’ court up and running by October 2021. Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers is a longtime veterans’ advocate. “This is something I think everybody knows I’ve been wanting to have for quite some time […]
