Veteran Affairs

October 20, 2015

How to avoid a costly common post-service mistake. Part II of an interview with Bob Goss

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

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 level playing field between Veterans and the government system intended to provide benefits to Veterans. Recently, I had an opportunity to discuss with Bob some of his thoughts on how Veterans can be better served. The following is Part II of a two-part conversation.

Eleanor Meltzer: Bob, I know Veterans can contact you directly. What recommendations do you have for Veterans who are struggling to obtain benefits?

Robert Goss: “Don’t wait to contact me.” I hope everyone reading this interview tells their active-duty friends the following: if you are just leaving the service, make the service give you a physical. Once you leave service (and are now a Veteran), claim ALL your disabilities. For instance, a paratrooper most likely is going to have orthopedic issues, tinnitus, hearing loss. Depending on the individual, there may be other service-connected traumas such as PTSD and burn-pit related injuries. FILE WITHIN THE 1^ST YEAR after leaving the service. Why? Because then your benefits go back to the day after separation. If a Veteran has been out longer than a year, they still need to file. The sooner the better. Continue reading

October 19, 2015

Why won’t VA let Americans have advocates? An interview with Bob Goss

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

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 level playing field between Veterans and the government system intended to provide benefits to Veterans. Recently, I had an opportunity to discuss with Bob some of his thoughts on how Veterans can be better served. The following is Part I of a two-part conversation.

Eleanor Meltzer: Bob, thank you so much for your time today. What makes Veteran law different from other legal areas?

Robert Goss: Veteran law is a team effort, with collaboration between the Veteran and our firm. Professionally, it is my pleasure to be able to take a complicated case and prove the Veteran’s disability to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Educating Veterans is critical. What I mean is, after you deal with a disability, you forget all the accommodations and adjustments you had to make to overcome that disability. Your disability becomes the new normal. Continue reading

October 13, 2015

Veteran Claims – Why You Need To Start Today

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

Start today. Your Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits payments accrue from the day you file, no matter how long it takes to get the claim settled. However, they don’t accrue from the day before you filed. If you wait months or years to initiate your claim, those months or years are pure lost money.

Meeting with a VA-accredited attorney is one way to ensure your claims are submitted properly. Completing VA’s forms accurately and correctly affects the outcome of your request. You benefit from the counsel and guidance of an expert who understands not only VA but also the laws governing VA’s actions.

Another reason to start today is VA’s well-known backlog. Here’s an example of why obtaining counsel now can serve you very well. Continue reading

October 9, 2015

$850,000 Meeting at the Department of Veterans Affairs

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

On October 26^th and 27^th, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is holding an Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation meeting. The meeting is, in theory, open to the public.

VA is budgeting $850,000 per year to run this Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation. See Paragraph 7 of the Committee Charter. That means, since 2010 when the committee was started, VA has spent $5.1 Million for something you probably have never heard of. Continue reading

October 7, 2015

Getting Veterans Disability Compensation for Service-Connected Mental Trauma

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

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 Veterans Affairs (VA), the key is having a knowledgeable advocate on your side.

VA largely relies on the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders when evaluating mental disabilities. The manual was most recently updated in 2013 and is referred to as “DSM-5,” meaning the fifth edition of the manual. You don’t need to know all the details of DSM-5. That’s why you have a VA-accredited representative. What is important is that you (the Veteran) or you (the loved one of a Veteran) recognize signs of possible service-connected mental disorder. Continue reading

October 6, 2015

Filing Your Notice of Disagreement (NOD) and Avoiding VA’s Tricks and Traps

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

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, 2015, it was a lot easier to file a “Notice of Disagreement” or NOD. Now, VA requires use of a specific, fairly prejudicial form, the VA Form 21-0958. The form is being challenged as illegal, but here are some tips for you in the meantime. Continue reading

October 5, 2015

New Waivers of Certain Texas Fees for Texas Veterans, Military, and Spouses

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

The 84^th legislative session for Texas ended on June 1, 2015. Texas legislators were active on behalf of Veterans and Veterans’ dependents. At least 20 bills which provide immediate or future assistance to Veterans became law. The following information focuses on four new laws which affect licenses and fees paid by Veterans and, in some instances, their spouses. Continue reading

October 3, 2015

Recent Changes to Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL) and Open Carry Laws

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. hopes the following information assists you in complying with the law and staying safe.

The tragic mass shooting at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College on October 1, 2015 inspires this update on changes to Concealed Handgun License (CHL) requirements in Texas. A Veteran, Chris Mintz, heroically stood between the Oregon mass killer and slaughter. Chris Mintz was reportedly shot at least five times and suffered two broken legs and multiple other injuries while barring a classroom door. Mr. Mintz’s unwavering concern for the lives of others reminds us of how much we owe America’s Veterans.

In Texas, the recently concluded 84^th Regular Legislative Session made several significant updates and changes that impact both Concealed Handgun Licensing and Open Carry. The major changes are listed in order of their effective dates: Continue reading

October 2, 2015

Can I Get Tax-Free “Special Monthly Compensation” (SMC) from VA?

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

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, including spouses, children, and parents. Here is just one of the SMC monthly compensation rate tables posted by VA (with rates effective as of 12/1/2014). Continue reading

October 1, 2015

Giant Echo? VA Disability Compensation Meeting Scheduled for October 26 -27, 2015 in Washington, D.C.

by Eleanor K. Meltzer for the Law Office of Robert B. Goss

On October 26^th and 27^th, 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 still in D.C. and still NOT SCHEDULED FOR BROADCAST to the public. Sounds like VA really wants the Advisory Committee to hear from you about problems with disability compensation.

Date & Time: Monday, October 26, 2015 & Tuesday, October 27, 2015. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days. Continue reading