Veterans Will Now Have Presumptive Conditions for Burn Pit Exposure
The VA will now recognize asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis as diseases presumed to be
connected to Veterans who served in specific countries at specific times.
Citation Nr: 21052813 DOCKET NO. 10-32 295
Entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected
disabilities on a schedular or extraschedular basis prior to May 6, 2019 is denied.
The Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent on a schedular basis as of May 6, 2019, and the Veteran has already been awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from May 6, 2019 forward.
Veteran Involvement in the U.S. Capitol Breach
Possible Effects on VA Benefits
Veterans’ Benefits and Bankruptcy
From 2005 to 2019, the federal Bankruptcy Code commonly required veterans to relinquish some of their veterans’
benefits to their creditors in order to obtain bankruptcy relief. The Bankruptcy Code thereby treated veterans’ benefits
less favorably than Social Security benefits, which federal law typically insulates from creditors’ claims
Veteran Disability Claims
Nexus and IMO Letters
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Search
Add keywords and press Enter to search VA Websites
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
It's Your VA - Deal With It!
It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired.
You quit when the gorilla is tired.
The Secret Nemesis of Sick Vets
For decades, the military and the VA have repeatedly turned to one man to guide decisions on whether Agent Orange harmed vets in Vietnam and elsewhere. His reliable answer: No.
Alabama
Marijuana Laws by State in 2021: A Legal Weed Map and Short Guide to Regulation
Marijuana Legality by State: A Comprehensive Interactive Map
For the first time, U.S. panel recommends screening adults for illicit drug use
“We have a pretty high prevalence of adults using illicit drugs and we’re seeing harms every day from that. This is a big change
that we’re really excited about. Effective treatment is where we will finally begin to move the needle on the epidemic.”
Substance use, substance abuse, smoking marijuana in a legal state...the rumors and the controversy rage on.
Here are the facts. VA could care less that you burn rope whether it's legal in your region or not. There is no penalty for using marijuana, you will not lose any disability benefits for abusing any substance. If you test positive during a not-so-random drug screen, your provider may tell you that there won't be any more pain meds prescribed but other than that, there is no penalty. If you test positive for opiates or cola or speed or whatever, you'll get a referral to a rehab program...maybe. That's it, nothing more. Your rights are not being violated by drug screening you. Get over it. Drug abuse, particularly opioids, is a huge health problem in our country and VA is treating that like a health problem...not a criminal issue...and that's a good thing! I support drug screens of all adults at every encounter. It amuses me when my lab result for marijuana says HIGH.
No, you do not have to submit to
a drug test at VA.
You can tell your provider you do
not want to be screened for drug use...
But that raises the question...why?
What are you afraid of?
Let's file a VA disability claim
right now. Intent to File
Too many of us skip this important step. Spending a few minutes taking care of this may give you months of additional benefits. Get Started Two options explaining
the Benefits you've earned.
You may file claims on eBenefits or
you can mail them in using certified mail or you can even fax them in.
V A Claims Intake Center
PO BOX 4444
JANESVILLE, WI
53547- 4444
Toll Free Fax:
844-531-7818
How to file a VA disability claim
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38 CFR Book C
The Schedule for Rating Disabilities
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or Appeal Status
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If you have one or more disability ratings, you can
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C & P
Exam?
Jim Strickland
jim912@gmail.com
I'm in Florida, up in the NE corner near Jacksonville.
Are you close? The coffee is on me.
<jim912@gmail.com>
Military Suicides Rose 15 Percent Last Year
The upward trend was strongest in the Army and Marine Corps
AND then there are the
Three Great Lies.
I've updated those just a bit.
1: The check is in the mail.
2: Of course I'll respect you in the morning darling.
3: Hello. I'm here from the VA and I'm going to help you.
American Workers Are on Strike Over 'Low-Wage S*** Jobs'
American workers are engaged in "the equivalent of a general strike," former Labor Secretary
Robert Reich has argued, following unexpectedly low U.S. employment figures.
Jim Strickland is a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA
disability benefits. Jim writes extensively about VA and Social Security disability benefits.
Jim's Mailbag is a regular column featured at Stateside Legal where veterans, servicemembers,
and family members can ask Jim their questions about VA and Social Security disability benefits.
Marijuana, Drug Testing and VA
This is the CFR
Title 38 - Pensions, Bonuses,
and Veterans' Relief
Title: PART 17 - MEDICAL
Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022
Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA
notice online through their personal my Social Security account.
VA benefits also increase 5.9%
Many service members use industrial solvents in regular military tasks...
Benzene Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC) Acetone Trichloroethylene (TCE) Xylenes
What You Should Know When Applying for Social Security Disability
If your application is denied, then you can ask for reconsideration
Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Not every veteran is automatically entitled to medical care from the VA.
Veterans must meet basic eligibility requirements for enrollment.
Veterans Psych Evaluations
Brett Valette, Ph.D.
Providing Military Veterans Personalized Psychological and Medical Evaluations. Complete the Contact form, and you'll get a personal phone call from us. We listen, and want to know what you are going through. We provide Independent Medical Evaluations (IME), Independent Medical Opinions (IMO) and nexus letters for ratings reviews, secondary conditions, medical conditions, discharge upgrades, and many types of denied claims. We also provide Social Security Disability claim reports.
Some Wounds Can't Be Seen Contact Us Today
Entitlement to service connection
for bilateral foot disability claimed as secondary to carbon tetrachloride exposure.
HEADS UP!
Are You Scheduled For A C & P Exam?
This document will save you a lot of worry!
C&P Service Clinician’s Guide
This is your C & P examiners guide and it's your only chance to know what the examiner knows before you go in the room.
This document is a VA product, still in wide use and if you study it prior to the exam, you'll have the upper hand. Knowing exactly what you should expect is a big advantage.
Do some homework...and good luck.
VA Math
Veterans Benefits Administration Reports
Detailed Claims Data - Status Reports
Reports contain data covering claims inventory, claims backlog, claims accuracy, and Fully Developed Claims.
When You've Hit A Dead End
The United States 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.
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. Don't rant.
Tell them you read about this at The VAWatchdog...
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Military Health History Pocket Card
Did you see combat, enemy fire, or casualties?
Were you or a buddy wounded, injured or hospitalized?
Do you have a claim pending for illness or injury related to your military service?
Do you have a service-connected condition?
The VA Watchdog
VA Accredited Veterans Law Attorney Referrals
Expert Nexus Letter Providers
~ All The Benefits Updates That Every Veteran Needs To Know ~
Get some hometown help.
These are the folks that know your state and federal benefits the best.
Your state provides service officers to help you navigate all your benefits.
Check them out for state tax info, veterans claims, homelessness...and a lot more. Don't get advice from well meaning friends, neighbors or volunteer "VA Reps",
go with the pros.
Welcome to the VAWatchdog...
For many years we're the leader in providing expert resources to help you win the claim for the benefits you earned. We'll guide you as you file a claim and provide you with professional, board certified consultation should you need some help.
If you're a health care or legal professional interested in helping America's veterans with their claims, drop me a note at <jim912@gmail.com> and I'll be happy to explain how this works. /s/ Jim
Research Your Claim Or Appeal As You File It
Learn what has worked for others and what gets denied or remanded
Hey Jim, I've got the blues...
I'm being sued by my HOA! I'm a disabled veteran and I need some legal help.
The Judge gave us till the 20th of October to answer questions and submit questions to the HOA. Jim's Reply.
Citation Nr: A21013934 DATE: August 19, 2021
CONCLUSION OF LAW The character of the appellant's discharge from service for the period from
October 2, 1979 to March 26, 1981 is a regulatory bar to the receipt of VA compensation benefits.
38 U.S.C. § 101, 5303 (2020); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.1, 3.12, 3.301, 3.354 (2020)