Were you hazed while serving in the military? GAO may want to hear from you
The Government Accountability Office is looking for service members who were victims of hazing while they served.
The office is collecting the information for a study on the Defense Department’s efforts to prevent and respond to hazing.
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Nexus and IMO Letters
Do you need some help with your claim?
I'm accepting limited appointments to talk live on the phone or to videoconference with you. There is no fee for this service.
If you'd like to talk, provide me with some information about who you are and what's up and I'll be in touch. /s/ Jim
Let's File A Claim
Filing your claim for VAbenefits isn't as hard as some want you to believe. Let's set the effective date of any claim you file in the next year. This one is easy so let's do it right now.
American Rescue Plan Helps Veterans
As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
provides financial aid to help you recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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These include associate degrees, non-college degrees, and certificate programs.
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Gregory Rada Veterans Law Attorney
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VA disability appeals, TDIU claims, MST, PTSD, other mental health disability claims, appeals and veterans disability claims processes.
Attorney Rada offers free telephone case evaluations and nationwide representation.
Interest rate reduction refinance loan
If you have an existing VA-backed home loan and you want to reduce your monthly mortgage payments—
or make your payments more stable—an interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL) may be right for you.
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Pro Tip: If you want to be sure the C & P doesn't hurt you, you're gonna need an IMO.
The IMO is how claims and appeals are won.
Compensation and Pension Examinations
The VA C & P Exam
Question: Is there any scientific data to support linking Central Sleep Apnea to DM 2 and or PTSD . Key is central not obstructive.
Jim's Reply: I'm aware of some data that suggests that CSA may be associated with DM2 and Metabolic Syndrome. However, I don't believe a cause and effect is as clear as it might be in other cases. I'm not aware of any connection to PTSD without associated TBI.
I've discovered BVA appeals that give some insight as to claims and decisions by BVA regarding CSA. If you'll click here and then type in <central sleep apnea> in the search field and then select a year or two to search you'll discover plenty of reading on the topic.
If you are trying to make a connection or nexus for the purpose of claiming a secondary condition, you're likely going to need an expert IMO for your claim or appeal. An IMO is the very best way to win a claim or appeal as VA gives these opinions a lot of weight in their decision. Good luck!
Question: When are you allowed to file for 1151 benefits for a secondary condition? Only after you’ve been granted benefits for the primary condition, or immediately upon learning of the secondary condition? Thank you.
Jim's Reply: Title 38 U.S. Code § 1151 isn't a benefit in the way you're thinking of it. This piece of the code comes into play if you're injured by VA medical treatment or voc rehab. I usually think of it as a sort of mini-medical malpractice suit where both the burden of evidence and the award are lower than a tort claim.
I believe that you're asking when you are allowed to file a claim for a secondary condition? The answer to that is at any time after you have the primary condition rated. For example: The Vietnam veteran who is diagnosed with type II diabetes is awarded a presumptive rating of 40% by The Schedule for that condition. Once his service connection and the 40% rating are in place the veteran could then go on to file for conditions like peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, renal artery disease, coronary artery disease, thyroid disease, retinopathy, and a host of other conditions that DMII is known to cause, contribute to or aggravate.
That same sort of cascading effects may be applied to a service connected injury that causes other disabling conditions. If you lost your lower leg on a mine, you may have hip and back problems over time.
I'll caution that the VA doesn't blindly accept any premise you may offer. There has to be some science to support an allegation and claim of a secondary condition. Overreaching (my active duty broken arm caused my liver cancer 30 years later) will just get you a denial PDQ. If there are doubts, get an IMO.
There is no other part of the Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits application and adjudication process that is so intimidating as the Compensation & Pension (C & P) exam. Grizzled veterans who have jumped out of airplanes and confronted the enemy in countries around the planet are known to cower in fear of meeting a C & P examiner. The examiner may be a Veterans Health Administration employee or a contractor with a company like LHI and offer varying exams and services. There are other contractors who perform C & P exams and they may operate at a VA facility or out of private offices where they normally practice. The examiner may be a physician or a physician assistant or a registered nurse practitioner or you may be offered a hearing exam by an audiologist and so on. Most exams are perfunctory and often confusing to the veteran. Your key to success is simple; Speak the truth about your symptoms without embellishing symptoms but not minimizing anything. Make brief notes to yourself of anything you want to say. If you don't have a cheat sheet, you'll forget...you know you will. Don't ever display anger or be a smartass. There is nothing you can do to make this any better but to maintain your cool. Keep reading.
Separating Fact From Fiction
The Must Do & Must Not Do of the C & P Exam
* The examiner does not make the decision about your claim.
* You may take records with you but the examiner may refuse them.
* The examiner won't treat you or prescribe medicines.
* NEVER try to fake any symptom. If you aren't prescribed a neck brace, don't wear one.
* The examiner will only perform the task assigned by an order of the regional office.
* You do not have to allow the examiner to cause you pain or discomfort during the exam by manipulating joints, etc.
* The examiner does not have any insight about how your claim will be decided. Don't ask.
* You may request that a family member or friend join you during the exam. The examiner may agree or refuse your request.
* DO NOT attempt to secretly record any part of the exam.
* DO make notes for yourself before you go. This is the only way you'll be sure to tell the examiner all the details you want to share.
* DO NOT over-exert yourself trying to please the examiner. This exam is about your worst symptoms, not the best.
* DO be courteous at all times. Don't complain to the examiner about all the indignities you've suffered. Focus on the reason you're there.
* DO use your common sense. This exam probably won't make or break the decision about your claim but it can help.
Fascinating historical documents, reports on items in the news, oddities and fun stuff and government bloopers, they're all here.
Title 38 - Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief
Volume: 1
Date: 2019-07-01
Original Date: 2019-07-01
Title: PART 17 - MEDICAL
Rates of Parkinson’s disease are exploding.
A common chemical - trichloroethylene (TCE) - may be to blame
Three Consequences of Using Marijuana After Your State “Legalizes”
1. Marijuana users will fail future NICS firearm background checks.
How To
When you deal with your VA benefits there are dozens, maybe hundreds of resources on the Internet, usually way too complex
to read or they want your money to open their secrets...how do you choose where to take advice and council? I think I have
the answer. When you want to deal with your VA, whether you're filing a claim or trying to get along with your health care providers,
you need to hear the voice of a veteran who actually uses the VA. I'm in the process of providing that resource for you...for free.
No sign-up, no registration, instant access to reliable information. It's your VA, use it effectively.
This is a Work In Progress throughout 2021. Check back every now and then for updates.
Independent Medical Opinions Nexus Letters
Thomas Grieder, MD PhD
25 Years Service as a VA Psychiatrist
Lead Psychiatrist East Los Angeles
PTSD Clinical Team
"It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired.
You quit when the gorilla is tired." — Robert Straus
Veterans Law Attorney
Graduate of the US Military Academy West Point, 20 years of active Army service, multiple deployments,
XVIII Airborne Corps, and Third Army, Airborne and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal badges.
$113.1 Billion Discretionary VA Bill for ’22 Submitted
The Biden administration’s proposed $113.1 billion spending bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs addresses delivery of health-care services, homelessness, suicide prevention, support for caregivers, and technological improvements.
New financial tool provides Veterans more control and transparency
Any Veteran with a debt related to VA benefits can now access their debt information online
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
COVID-19 fraud is rapidly evolving. This page is frequently updated.
The VA Watchdog Dot Org
Since 2005, We're Keeping An Eye On Your VA
Because Somebody Has To!
Welcome Home! I'm Jim Strickland. I'm an Army vet, I was 91-D20 in USAREUR at the
98th General Hospital near Camp Baumholder 1967 - 1970. I publish the VAWatchdog
Dot Org to help you obtain the benefits you earned by your service to our country.
I'll share what I'm reading today, the important stuff. Feedback is always welcomed.
NO DIGITAL ADVERTISING means no ad-trackers. Nobody is looking at your data here.
Jim Strickland
jim912@gmail.com
Veterans Affairs:Use of Additional Funding for COVID-19 Relief
As of April 14, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported 224,538 cumulative
COVID-19 cases among veterans, with 11,366 deaths.
Schedule for Rating Disabilities
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CDC updates guidance on how COVID-19 spreads
The CDC updated its guidance on COVID-19 transmission May 7,
underscoring that the virus spreads via small respiratory droplets and particles in the air.
Vaccine Eligibility Expanded at DoD Sites
All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries and Defense Department personnel
can now get vaccinated for Covid-19 at DoD sites.
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Never Stop Reading
Never Stop Learning
Where did your claim disappear to?
Veterans hit by huge pandemic-related records backlog
National Archives estimates it will take 18 to 24 months to clear the backlog once the records center is fully staffed
When You Hit A Dead End
The Department of Veterans Affairs
White House Hotline
855 - 948 - 2311
< Denis.McDonough@va.gov >
Yes, this really works. No, it doesn't ring in the White House. The email address and phone number are staffed by a seemingly serious group of players, many who are veterans, and if you have a legit issue, telling these folks is like bringing in the artillery.
Let's prepare for your call or email. Make some notes before you proceed so you don't forget anything.
I prefer email since there's no waiting for someone to answer and I can take my time to prepare the story in just the right detail.
Be sure to include your DOB, your last 4, contact info...a couple of numbers, your preferred email and such.
Describe the problem as briefly as you can. Less is more. Include the necessary components but don't tell your life story.
Don't rant. Be polite...military courtesy will get you places that hollering IN ALL CAPS won't. Respect!
Don't waste their time with bogus complaints about your feelings being hurt. If you appropriately utilize this
service, I'll vouch that this works like a champ.
Tell them you read about this at The VAWatchdog Dot Org...they know who we are.
You may file claims on eBenefits or you can mail them in using certified mail or you can even fax them in.
Download VA benefit letters
To receive some benefits, Veterans need a letter proving their status.
The secret truth of the student debt crisis
Most student debt will be canceled sooner or later, because an ever-growing share
of borrowers cannot possibly repay their loans. Ever.
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Veterans Struggle to Get Copies of Needed Service Records Due to Pandemic
Access to some VA benefits, services delayed as backlog of requests hits 500,000
disability claim
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation
or increased disability compensation.