Author Archives: asknod

About asknod

VA claims blogger

BVA– AND I’M FEELIN’. . GLAD ALL OVER

Posted on January 19, 2026 by asknod

In the news, we’re constantly bombarded by articles about the passing of the last Pearl Harbor Survivor, the last guy who came ashore at Omaha, the last Navajo Code Talker and more. Don’t get me wrong. I revere every one … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, BVA Purplebook, Pickles, R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged ASKNOD BOOK, askNOD.com, asknod.org, asknod@wordpress.com, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Inspirational Veterans, Service Connection, SMC for aid and attendance, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

BVA–YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT TIMES 2

Posted on January 12, 2026 by asknod

Always remember the second half of the bridge- “But if you try sometime, you’ll find…you get what you need.” It’s the theme song of my VA litigation journey at VA. This is a great win for a poor, horribly disabled … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged askNOD.com, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, Service Connection, VA claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 3 Comments

MANSPLAINING THE ‘NEW’ VA AI

Posted on January 11, 2026 by asknod

Several decades ago, back in about 1973, it finally struck me that the VA embraced the core tenets of the UCMJ. Rule number 1 is, of course, the Veteran is probably a liar or grossly exaggerating this- ergo he’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Complaints Department, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents | Tagged Agent Orange, askNOD.com, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, Service Connection, VA claims, VA NEXUS LETTERS, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 2 Comments

YOU DON’T TUG ON SUPERMAN’S CAPE

Posted on January 3, 2026 by asknod

I guess I don’t need to tell anyone we woke up to an interesting development in the Caribbean this morning. Seems the U.S. elected to repossess Chevron’s stolen oil infrastructure from Venezuela. With the exception of two minor U.S. military … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, Barry Bumps in SMC, Food for the soul, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents | Tagged Agent Orange, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get SMC Loss of Use, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, VA backlog, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 5 Comments

VA-YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON

Posted on December 28, 2025 by asknod

I loved that song by Vanilla Fudge. It sure describes VA law. I do so wish I had a better commo channel to Secretary Collins. I feel I could save the VA millions of dollars and speed up the claims … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, Higher Level of Review (HLR), How to Qualify for VA SMC, M-21 info, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, Korean War Vets Help, Service Connection, SMC for aid and attendance, VA backlog, VA claims, vA CLAIMS FOR PTSD, VA SMC, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Mr. Potatohead, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 5 Comments

A WARM, FUZZY CHRISTMAS STORY

Posted on December 21, 2025 by asknod

Folks who know me have come to expect I’ll always salt in some April Fools humor into any holiday. I was going to write a long, heartfelt story about one of my Vets but this is a time for joy … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, LURP JOKES, PTSD, Service Connection, VA backlog, VA claims, vA CLAIMS FOR PTSD, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 3 Comments

VA’s ASYMMETRICAL LAWFARE

Posted on December 14, 2025 by asknod

Definitions from Oxford Languages a·sym·met·ri·cal /ˌāsəˈmetrək(ə)l/ adjective having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement; lacking symmetry. “the church has an asymmetrical plan with an aisle only on one side” Similar: lopsided; unsymmetrical, crooked; uneven; … Continue reading →

Posted in CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VARO Misfeasance | Tagged Agent Orange, askNOD.com, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, PTSD, Service Connection, VA claims, vA CLAIMS FOR PTSD, VA Clear and Unmistakable Error, VA CUE Claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help., Winning your VA CUE claims | 7 Comments

VA-WHO DETERMINES THE EFFECTIVE DATE?

Posted on November 23, 2025 by asknod

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope this finds you and your significant other in good health. Or if you live in lower Utah, ditto to your significant others. Since we don’t ostracize anyone for their religious/political beliefs or pronouns, … Continue reading →

Posted in Thanksgiving and war | Tagged ASKNOD BOOK, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, VA claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 2 Comments

FOR ENFILADING FIRE, ALWAYS PLACE YOUR PIGS ON YOUR FLANKS

Posted on November 16, 2025 by asknod

I know. That title sounds pretty onerous but it was a wise piece of advice in the 60’s that carries over into the litigation world. Meet Roger the chef. Roger enlisted in June of 1964 just in time to enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, PACT ACT, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged Agent Orange, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get SMC Loss of Use, Service Connection, VA claims, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Mr. Potatohead, VA SMC R1, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING

Posted on November 11, 2025 by asknod

I reckon the only folks who would remember that phrase are diehard Apocalypse Now movie buffs or those of us who actually smelled it. I suppose it goes hand in hand with the old saw “”For those who have served, … Continue reading →