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…
CUE Claim Denials? If you or I made a clear and unmistakable error which had a huge price tag, we’d expect some consequence. Like, we might get fired. Or demoted. Or something else undesirable would happen. That’s not at all the case with “Clear and Unmistakable Error” (CUE) actions by…
Are you protecting your domestic partner? Remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” This statement could not be more true for planning your estate. Let’s take an issue that’s been in the news quite a bit these days: domestic partnership. If you have…
What you don’t know about VA benefits could cost you Many people assume new illnesses, aches, and pains are “normal.” Just part of aging. Or simply bad luck. Or even genetics. Veterans – don’t be lulled into passive acceptance of so-called common wisdom. Diet and exercise can only get you…
You can’t always believe what you’re told. Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) means business when it comes to telling you their new forms are mandatory. And the form that is probably the most harmful is the one you might need the most: VA’s Notice of Disagreement (NOD) form,…
No time like never! The heartbreaking anniversary of 9/11 brings to mind a less well-known event that continues to impact Veterans. Ever since the Veterans Claims Adjudication Commission (VCAC) issued its recommendations almost 20 years ago, the thought that Veterans should have less time – not more – to file…
VA is even better at hiding your benefits! If you want to challenge a credit-card charge, you write a letter. If you question denial of an insurance claim, you write a letter. Even if you represent yourself in court, you can write a letter! The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)…
On June 1, 2015, Houston announced it has effectively ended chronic Veteran homelessness. Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s dramatic statement came a mere year after Houston rolled up its collective sleeves and decided to face down two enemies most active-duty troops never anticipate: homelessness and its boon companion, hopelessness. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates…
Why is VA ducking you? If you need to call or e-mail someone working for the Texas Veterans Commission, it really couldn’t be easier. The Texas Veterans Commission offers Veterans a full employee directory. By golly, it’s even updated for 2015. The same is true for most other states, starting with…
Many veteran’s suffer from Hepatitis C. A horrible disease with no cure, until maybe now. A few weeks ago I met and discussed Hepatitis C with a Bristol drug representative who discussed how the new Hep C medicines were actually curing people with Hep C. The following article discusses some…