Bob Goss, founder of the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. Robert B. Goss is a Veteran, attorney, and the founder of the Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. Bob, as he prefers to be called, started his law firm in response to the need he saw for a…
The 2010 Census offers unique insight to U.S. Veterans. Over 835,000 Americans are Veterans who served during both Gulf War eras. Almost 50,000 more American Veterans served in Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras. Clearly, there is a large population of Veterans who likely have service-connected injuries which manifest…
Fortunately, today our understanding of combat and war-induced trauma, together with a healthy societal openness about diagnosis and treatment, means now is as good a time as any to obtain assistance for your Veteran. When it comes to applying for and obtaining service-connected mental disability benefits from the Department of…
Almost without exception, if you are still alive when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responds to you initial claim for benefits, VA’s response will be a rejection. This means you must – if you want the benefits you’ve earned – file a “Notice of Disagreement.” Prior to March 24,…
What is “Special Monthly Compensation”? Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. SMC is paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It’s Important to Understand SMC SMC eligibility can materially assist Veterans and their families,…
On October 26th and 27th, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is holding an Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation meeting. The meeting is open to the public. Last year, not one member of the public attended the meeting…probably because it was in Washington, D.C. This year, the Advisory Committee meeting is…
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kubina/414211811 On March 13, 2015, H.R. 1356 “Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015” was introduced in Congress. Among other mandates, if passed this bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure every VA medical center has a full-time obstetrician or gynecologist. Can…
My ride to the VARO is here! A little over a year ago, on August 7, 2014, the “Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014,” P.L. 113-146, was signed into law. The so-called “Choice Act” was intended to improve Veterans’ access to medical services from the Department of Veterans…
Count to 10! 1. Don’t Make a Claim. Ever. This is probably the most common way Veterans miss benefits to which they are entitled. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not contact you with information about how to claim benefits. No one will pass along your service information to…
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the middle of changing its Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the VASRD. If you’ve ever looked at the VASRD and been confused, you’re in good company. Unfortunately, the VASRD doesn’t function like a menu, so it can be quite misleading. Also, the current…