Author Archives: asknod

About asknod

VA claims blogger

FED CIRCUS-NOVA vs DENIS THE MENACE–POST HOC CREATION OF “GUIDANCE” FOR THE COURT

Posted on September 24, 2022 by asknod

I get a big bang out of the rare occasions when the Federal Circuit (CAFC) really stretches their collective brain musculature and actually arrives at a decision that is meaningful for Veterans and not merely window dressing. And ones which … Continue reading →

Posted in CAFC Rulings, Fed. Cir. & Supreme Ct., VA Secretaries, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

OPEN DISSENTION AT THE BVA

Posted on September 8, 2022 by asknod

I received this email over a month ago via a fellow litigator. I didn’t publish it then because it was still undisseminated information. Since then, it has been openly shared and discussed. Having met and befriended several VLJs who always … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA and VARO CUE DECISIONS, BvA Decisions, BVA Hearings, VA Agents, VA AMA appeals knowledge, VA BACKLOG, VA Conspiracies, vA news, VA statistics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

SMC N– NEVER HEARD OF IT. GIVE HIM AN S

Posted on September 5, 2022 by asknod

You won’t see me write very much about SMC N because it’s the “hump” rating. To get there you need to have- at a bare minimum, loss of use of the lower extremities with one extremity useless above the knee … Continue reading →

Posted in Independent Medical Opinions, KP Veterans, Nexus Information, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FORT FUGETABOUTIT (HOUSTON)–A PAIR OF JEANS THAT FIT JUST RIGHT

Posted on September 2, 2022 by asknod

In 1973, I was unceremoniously evicted from the ranks of active military personnel. My crime? Why, being antisocial with passive aggressive tendencies. Since then, it’s metastasized. I have become social with active aggressive tendencies. This personality disorder pays off in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, vARO Decisions, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

LINCOLN LOG SMC UPDATE

Posted on August 22, 2022 by asknod

Cupcake and I attended a soirée for a politician wannabe recently. A rude, pushy woman we know got in my face and asked my opinion á-propos  Roe versus Wade. Hoooooo, doggies. I thought for a few seconds and finally came … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, Higher Level of Review (HLR), KP Veterans, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

LINCOLN LOG SMC-PREPARE THE PUNJI PIT

Posted on August 16, 2022 by asknod

Some litigators are recalcitrant to reveal their techniques for getting from A to B. I don’t feel that way. This is a true Do-It-Yourself (DIY) site. I don’t have time to do every claim that comes through the door. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, HISA Grants, KP Veterans, SMC, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

PREGNANCY AND EXERCISE

Posted on August 8, 2022 by asknod

So, a Vet and his preggers wife go in for the pre-birth briefing on staying healthy and getting ready for the big day. The room is full of other husbands who have accompanied their wives…. Instructor: ” Good morning.  First, … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BVA–(I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTON

Posted on August 5, 2022 by asknod

Have you ever had a claim go sideways over and over again ad nauseum? Hell, of course you have if it was the VA. Remember how they get to ‘construe’ what they think it is you’re asking for? Now imagine … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, BvA Decisions, Earlier Effective dates, R1/R2, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

OUR NEW VA PACT ACT AND THAT PESKY PROBLEM AT THE BVA

Posted on August 4, 2022 by asknod

Wowser. Congress finally got it sorted. I’m not completely impressed or floored just yet. What’s certain is that, as usual, in a few short years, we’ll find out what was left out, deliberately ignored or never contemplated when mapping out … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, BVA Hearings, vA news, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

CAVC-STOVER v. McDONOUGH–THE LAST AO ROUNDUP?

Posted on July 29, 2022 by asknod

Assuming the new “Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021”, abbreviated as PACT, ever passes, Mr. Jack L. Stover’s appeal here and the remand back to the AOJ Puzzle Palace for readjudication (via the BVA) will become … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, AO, CAVC Knowledge, Thailand AO presumptive path, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments