Articles Posted in Women Veterans

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RBGRobert 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

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gasmasks-twoThe 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 themselves more painfully as time goes on.

If you are a Gulf War-era Veteran, would you recognize a service-connected medical condition?  Among the most common types of service-connected health problems now suffered by Gulf War-era Veterans are: Continue reading

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court_room2Start 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

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TxDOTAs a service to Veterans and their families, The Law Office of Robert B. Goss, P.C. is pleased to present the following information about specialty license plates for Texas Veterans and their families.

Advantages of a “Disabled Veteran” (DV) & Certain Military Specialty License Plates

  1. TxTag toll waiver for Veterans with a Texas DV, Purple Heart, or Legion of Valor (Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross) specialty license plate
  2. Fee waivers on other tolling agencies in Texas, including Harris County Toll Road Authority’s EZ-Tag (once you register the EZ-Tag pass/license with EZ-Tag)
  3. DV, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal recipients are also eligible for parking-fee exemptions in certain instances.

Qualifying Veterans pay only $3 for their Disabled Veteran (DV) or Purple Heart license plate, and nothing for a Legion of Valor license plate.  TxDOT has other categories of free or significantly discounted license plates for Texas Veterans as well as for their surviving spouses and family members. Continue reading

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homeless-1254833Fortunately, 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

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493px-Pop_Haydn_the_Shell_Game_by_Billy_BaqueAlmost 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

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WtdfishwildThe 84th 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

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FelthatThe 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 84th 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

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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

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megaphone-50092_640On 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 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

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