Category Archives: Veteran Affairs
NPR Investigation Reveals Potentially Illegal Debt Collection Against Veterans
NPR recently revealed some findings of an investigation into a company, Trajector Medical, and their potential illegal charging of fees for assisting veterans with getting VA disability benefits. The story goes into quite a bit of detail for a number of veterans experiences and their unexpected bills at the end of a process that… Read More »
Somatic Symptom Disorder Resulting from Service-Connected Disabilities
When people think about Veterans with mental health disorders, they typically consider posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD became better known after the Vietnam War and was recognized as a diagnosed condition by the American Psychiatric Association beginning in 1980. Prior to 1980, the condition was commonly referred to as “shell shock.” The diagnosis… Read More »
The Unprecedented Impact of the Current Employee Workforce Reduction on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The impact of the current governmental changes on the VA is a topic that is argued on the floors of Congress daily. Recent actions and proposed changes have sparked significant concern and controversy, particularly regarding workforce reductions and potential alterations to Veterans’ healthcare. Without resorting to hyperbole, Veterans are currently experiencing unprecedented times. Workforce… Read More »
The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (Pact) Act and How It Effects Vietnam Veterans and Those Who Served in Thailand, Vietnam, Guam, and Other Locations
While the passage of the PACT Act was a monumental development for Gulf War and Post-9/11 Veterans, the impact on Vietnam era Veterans cannot be overlooked. With the passage of the PACT Act comes additional presumption of exposure to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides for Veterans who served in Thailand, Guam, Laos, Cambodia,… Read More »
Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, Passed!!!
Great news for Veterans as the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson, Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, passed through the United States Senate. Despite going through delays and posturing to get there, on August 2, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the PACT Act 86-11, pushing the bill through after it… Read More »
Why Did The VA Not Accept My Nexus Opinion?
This is a question that we receive, in one form or another, on a regular basis. The issue that arises is that a Veteran will speak to their provider who is willing to provide an independent medical opinion (IMO) relating their claimed condition to service or another service connected condition. The provider will then… Read More »
U.S. Senate Passes PACT Act of 2022
In a victory for Veterans seeking disability compensation benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs for disabilities due to burn pits and other toxic exposures, the US Senate recently passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. This is the largest single bill in American… Read More »
VA To Add New Medical Conditions Linked To Agent Orange Exposure
The Department of Veteran Affairs will begin to implement provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This adds three conditions to the list of known ailments due to Agent Orange exposure. The newly added health conditions are hypothyroidism, bladder cancer, and parkinsonism. The VA will apply these… Read More »
House Lawmakers Show Support For Large VA Budget Boost
In the first budget draft, House appropriators backed a funding boost for the Department of Veteran Affairs. The plan, which is voted on by a subcommittee, has signaled support for over $113 billion in discretionary spending for various VA programs in the fiscal 2022 year. That is an increase of 8% from current levels… Read More »
VA to Review Thousands of Rejected Blue Water Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs is beginning to review thousands of rejected Vietnam War claims, from veterans who were denied many benefits but may now be entitled to compensation. Under a new court order, the Department of Veteran Affairs began to review over 60,000 claims for veterans who had been exposed to Agent Orange… Read More »