Category Archives: BvA Decisions

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

2025– WHAT VETS HOPE TO SEE THIS YEAR

Posted on January 11, 2025 by asknod

I love the New Year hooplah and all it promises. A new, clean slate upon which to write. The promise of finally losing weight must be a big one because every year about now, Weightbegone©, and a bunch of other … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, Claims sharks, Combat Presumption, Presumption of Regularity, Presumption of Soundness, Reductions in rating, VA Agents, VA Claims Sharks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

LZ CORK–TIDYING UP LOOSE ENDS

Posted on December 9, 2024 by asknod

I reckon if you query any seasoned VA litigator, especially the folks down in the trenches who do this 24/7/365, you’ll find consensus among them that the VA’s ability to get their underwear on facing the right way when they … Continue reading →

Posted in 1154(b) combat presumptions, Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, Combat Presumption, LZ Cork, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, Veterans Law, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BVA–OSA-25 OR 6 TO 4

Posted on October 18, 2024 by asknod

This is an outlier for me. I normally don’t dabble in OSA claims but Carey is a son of a dear friend, as is his brother Brandon, both of whom I represent. So, if you’re gonna play VA poker against … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, OSA, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment