Articles Tagged with P.L. 109-461

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SmartIf the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denies your request for benefits, don’t be shocked.  If VA gives you a lower disability rating than you merit, don’t be shocked. Since 2014, in an effort to reduce its backlog of disability benefits claims, word is that VA is simply shoveling responses out the door.  Many are complete denials.  Some are just sloppy, giving you “something” (a low disability rating) in the hope you will be happy and go away.

When VA denies your request or offers a deceptively low rating, don’t be shocked: be smart!  Seek legal advice and promptly file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). Continue reading

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Veteran_Affairs_backlog_(2012-08-09)Until Veterans are treated like full U.S. citizens with the right to representation by an attorney, we can only celebrate Veterans Day once a year.  Here’s why.

Only under limited circumstances are Veterans are allowed to use an attorney to represent them on appeals from denial of benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  In fact, prior to 2006, Veterans weren’t allowed to use an attorney at all when dealing with VA. Continue reading

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"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2nd_day_post_op_after_amputation_of_left_leg_due_to_liposarcoma.jpg#/media/File:2nd_day_post_op_after_amputation_of_left_leg_due_to_liposarcoma.jpg">2nd day post op after amputation of left leg due to liposarcoma</a>" by <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Unklekrappy&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="User:Unklekrappy (page does not exist)">Unklekrappy</a> - <span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>. Licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en" title="Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication">CC0</a> via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/">Commons</a>.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

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