Category Archives: BvA Decisions

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CHECK OUT THIS BAD BOY

Posted on October 24, 2025 by asknod

Wes and me are like peas and carrots. One of these days he’ll realize that Scotch is far superior to Bourbon but that always takes time and years of culture. Besides, they probably don’t have Scotch in Georgia so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, DM II, Loss of Use, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

GOIN’ UP THE COUNTRY–SAY THAT YOU WANNA GO.

Posted on October 5, 2025 by asknod

I’m gonna leave this city, got to get awayAll this fussing and fighting, man, you know I sure can’t stay. I remember hearing this song quite a bit in Southeast Asia. Canned Heat had its following but if you noticed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, General Messages, Guns, SMC, VA Agents, vA news, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BVA–R1 WITH ONLY ONE L

Posted on August 12, 2025 by asknod

I would have named this one Back Door Man by Jim Morrison of the Doors but it didn’t involve an extramarital affair. I will say, this is a first for me because prior to this,  you’d have needed a perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, AO, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CUE, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

BVA-35 YEARS TO WIN–RIDE MY SEE-SAW

Posted on June 22, 2025 by asknod

Great song by the Moody Blues.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog here, a PIC (pilot in charge) I often flew with was fond of the group and that particular song. He flew into a mountain one morning up … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, CAVC/COVA Decision, Earlier Effective dates, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

BVA-SMC L–JUST FIND A PLACE TO MAKE YOUR STAND AND TAKE IT EASY

Posted on May 12, 2025 by asknod

Sometimes you just have to wonder if this VA compensation game is the luck of the draw. I’ve done hundreds of aid and attendance claims and one thing is as predictable as the sunrise-you simply can’t predict the outcome. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law, Women Vets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BVA TRIP NUMBER 3–I’M BEING FOLLOWED BY A MOONSHADOW

Posted on January 27, 2025 by asknod

As has been the case for well over a tenth of a century, I continue to offer advice for free. There is no special $99.95 Bootcamp for Beginners fee or the $199.99 Advanced Infantry Course for SMC where you actually … Continue reading →

Posted in 1154(b) combat presumptions, Agent Orange, BvA Decisions, Complaints Department, Food for thought, Lay testimony, R1/R2, SMC Bedridden, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments