Tinnitus, which is often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears that no one else can hear, is known to affect millions of veterans. If you’ve served in the military and developed tinnitus, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Understanding how tinnitus qualifies for benefits and how the […]
Continue ReadingHow To Build a Solid VA Appeal: Evidence That Matters
Receiving a denial or unfavorable decision on your VA benefits claim can be discouraging, but it’s important to remember that the VA appeal process exists precisely to address these situations. Many veterans successfully overturn initial decisions by submitting well-constructed appeals with compelling evidence. Understanding how to build a strong VA appeal and what types of […]
Continue ReadingWhy Doesn’t My Combined VA Disability Rating Add Up? Understanding VA Disability Math
Your combined VA disability rating doesn’t add up as a result of the unique calculation method used by the VA that often leaves veterans scratching their heads. This isn’t a mistake or an attempt to shortchange veterans. If you’re a veteran navigating the Veterans Administration (VA) disability system, you may have encountered a confusing phenomenon: […]
Continue ReadingWhat Should Veterans Know About Secondary Conditions and Service Connections?
Many veterans may develop secondary conditions as a result of their service-connected disabilities. Educating veterans about how they can get these secondary conditions connected to their service can significantly increase their compensation. What Are Secondary Conditions to Service Connections? The first question we have to answer is, what exactly are “secondary conditions”? As we know, […]
Continue ReadingToxic Aftermath: How Agent Orange Exposure Contributes to Diabetes Among Disabled Veterans
Agent Orange, the notorious herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, has left a lengthy legacy of lasting health issues for veterans who were exposed to it during their time in service. Among the numerous health problems linked to Agent Orange exposure, diabetes has emerged as a significant concern. Veterans who experienced […]
Continue ReadingToxic Exposure in the Military: How the PACT Act & TERA Can Be Linked to Your Disability Claim
The PACT Act is a bill designed to help veterans who experienced toxic exposure in the military including, for some veterans, a presumption that certain conditions were caused by their toxic exposure. Per The Department of Veterans Affairs, “toxic exposure” refers to contact with harmful substances that can lead to adverse health effects. Types of […]
Continue ReadingThe Link Between Individual Unemployability & Substantial Gainful Activity
What is Individual Unemployability? The Department of Veteran Affairs defines Individual Unemployability as a “a total disability rating for compensation, where the scheduler rating is less than total, when the disabled person is, in the judgement of the rating agency, unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disability […]
Continue ReadingLights… Camera… Law! Why Hollywood Needs to Hire Attorneys
We have all seen them and they have given us some of the most famous quotes in cinema…but you want the truth? Hopefully you can handle the truth. That truth being that Hollywood has historically misrepresented what it means to be an attorney. Portraying Attorneys in Hollywood Attorneys have been portrayed across Hollywood since […]
Continue ReadingThe “Social” Struggle: How Social Media Use Could Affect Your Social Security Claim
Comedian James Veitch once said, “The Internet gave us access to everything; but it also gave everything access to us.” Truer words have never been spoken. We live in a world in which we have access to endless information, perhaps right on a device kept on us at all times, and with just the click […]
Continue ReadingSuffering from a Disability? Why Honest Communication with Your Medical Providers Matters
Do You Need to Disclose All of Your Symptoms to Your Doctor or Medical Provider? Do you need to tell your doctor everything that is wrong with you? This might seem like a very ridiculous question, with a very obvious answer, – which is OF COURSE! Honest communication with your medical providers is crucial to […]
Continue ReadingVeterans with Sleep Apnea – Why NOW is the Time to File Your Claim for Disability Benefits
For veterans with sleep apnea, every day can be a struggle when the lack of restorative sleep makes it difficult to focus or complete activities of daily living. If you have sleep apnea that is either the result of your military service or was caused by a different service-connected disability, you may be eligible for […]
Continue ReadingCan You Collect Veterans’ Disability Benefits for an Unreported Military Sexual Trauma?
The short answer is yes, you can collect veterans’ disability benefits for an unreported military sexual trauma. The VA recognizes the limited reporting of military sexual trauma events and understands the reality that no record of the assault may exist (such as police records, statements from friends, and medical testing). While that would be problematic […]
Continue Reading