27 Dec 2022

VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis in the Hands

VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer
Obtaining VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis in the Hands According to the VA and CDC, arthritis affects one in five Americans and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Over 100 conditions fall under the umbrella of arthritis, including arthritis in the hands, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint diseases. The percentage of Americans with arthritis is expected to increase to one in four or around 25% by 2040. Not surprisingly, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among veterans than the general population: one in 3 veterans has arthritis. Military service takes a significant toll on a veteran’s body. Many veterans begin…
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22 Dec 2022

PACT Act Claims

VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer
Officials Say They are Ready for PACT Act Claims A large veterans advocacy organization says the VA will be ready to process PACT Act claims beginning in 2023, and the organization will be ready to help. “In my mind, there's no more important way to do that than to compensate them, compensate veterans for whatever type of suffering they may have endured because of their service,” Amvets National Executive Director Joe Chenelly remarked in a Veterans Day celebration. “A ton of veterans who we knew were qualified for these new benefits and care have been coming to us, and we…
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16 Nov 2022

Spinal Fusion Surgery and VA Benefits

VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney
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 spines. Sudden traumatic injuries, like falls or motor vehicle crashes, could cause a spine injury as well. The resulting pain is often unbearable. Over 80% of spinal cord injury (SCI) victims are unable to work. Many veterans turn to spinal fusion surgery to reduce this…
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09 Nov 2022

Nuts and Bolts of a VA Disability Claim

VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer
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 after initial denials and veterans who try to “tough out” their disabilities, often for decades, before they relent and file claims. A VA disability attorney often unlocks advanced options, like TDIU (Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability)…
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18 Oct 2022

VA Changes PACT Act Process

Burn Pits, Presumptive Disease, VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Compensation, VA Law, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans' Appeals
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 they applied for benefits. Now, the VA has sped up the law's implementation so veterans may file these claims immediately. As of October 1, post-9/11 veterans have one year to enroll in VA health care if they meet one of…
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13 Oct 2022

“Toughing Out” an Illness Can Result in Lost VA Benefits

Uncategorized, VA Benefits, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer
"Toughing Out" an Illness Can Result in Lost VA Benefits Are you concerned about lost VA Benefits? In October 2022, the Supreme Court will consider an obscure rule that, in many cases, sharply limits VA back pay in disability cases. The case is Arellano v. McDonough and involves a veteran diagnosed with PTSD in 1981 but did not apply for VA disability benefits until 2011. A VA regulation says a veteran can only get back pay for the time of service if they apply for benefits within one year of being discharged. The VA used this legal provision to deny Mr.…
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20 Sep 2022

Can I Get Workers’ Compensation and VA Disability?

VA Disability Claims, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Lawyer
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 years. Adjusted for inflation, workers’ compensation lost wage replacement benefits peaked in the 1960s. So, what’s the difference? Workers’ compensation arises from illness or injury that occurs while the recipient is at work, while VA disability benefits…
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06 Sep 2022

Can You Receive State Unemployment Benefits and VA Disability Benefits?

VA Disability Claims, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans' Appeals
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 at the same time, because the types of benefits serve different purposes. The biggest difference between unemployment and disability benefits is that unemployment is intended to be temporary whereas disability is generally for the rest of a person’s life, or as long as their disabling condition lasts. VA disability benefits, according to President Abraham Lincoln’s…
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23 Aug 2022

Can You Receive SSDI and VA Disability

VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney
Can You Receive SSDI and VA Disability? If you’re a disabled veteran, you may be wondering if you can receive social security disability insurance, SSDI and VA disability benefits at the same time. The answer is yes. SSDI and VA disability are two separate federal programs, although there is some overlap. For example, an SSDI award could make it easier to obtain a VA disability award, and vice versa. A grant of benefits under one program can serve as evidence of a disability in addition to medical records. Be aware, however, that the SSDI denial rate is even higher than…
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01 Aug 2022

VA Disability Benefits for Migraine Headaches

VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer
VA Disability Benefits for Migraine Headaches Military veterans, particularly those with service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror, have a significantly higher rate of migraine headaches than the general population. In fact, migraine diagnoses in the military increased by 27% from 2001 to 2007 as a result of the increased deployments to the Middle East. Scientists do not fully understand what causes migraine headaches. The latest research indicates that a chemical imbalance in the brain may be the primary culprit. Various kinds of brain injuries, which are common among veterans, could trigger such an imbalance. The effects…
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