Category Archives: BvA Decisions

DEPT. OF VET AFFAIRS–WORKING 9 TO 5 ON DENIALS

Posted on September 13, 2026 by asknod

I wanted to write an article on Friday Sept. 11 but to me, the day shouldn’t involve dragging in Veterans’ trials and tribulations. That’s a day reserved for America’s civilian heroes. Hence, my purposeful two-day delay before writing this. Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% ratings, Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, CAVC/COVA Decision, hepatitis, PACT ACT, SMC Bedridden, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, VA Agents, VA TBI | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BVA-SMC T–EENY MEENY MINEY MO

Posted on August 30, 2026 by asknod

Folks, this is like fishing with hand grenades. Having engaged in that very pastime fifty six years ago, I can say that truthfully. And I even got free beer and paid to do it but that’s another story for another … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Presumption of Soundness, PTSD, SMC, SMC T, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VA TBI | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE CAVC’S ROLE IN THE NEW AMA ERA

Posted on August 23, 2026 by asknod

Once upon a time in a…wait. Wrong story. Actually, I have about ten stories stacked up but I wanted to write this column for a long time. I’m sure I’ll end up stepping on someone’s feelings be they an attorney, … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeals Modernization Act, ASKNOD BOOK, BvA Decisions, Higher Level of Review (HLR), R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

ARTIFICIAL IGNORANCE–BOLDLY GOING NOWHERE INSTANTLY

Posted on July 26, 2026 by asknod

First off this glorious Sunday, (68° and light breeze), I thank the Weather gods we’re not melting. Living here in the Pacific Northwest is, for the most part, a respite from all the global heat waves across our fruited plains. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Artificial Intelligence in claims, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, DRO and BVA Hearings, Duty to Assist, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA Motions for Reconsideration, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

AOJ LA- FIELD OF DREAMS

Posted on May 31, 2026 by asknod

We live in interesting times. As most know, I’ve been making life miserable for countless VA Secretaries over the last several decades. I’ve come to expect a certain amount of pushback and recalcitrance to grant my clients’ rightfully earned benefits. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

5/07/75–51 YEARS LATER

Posted on May 10, 2026 by asknod

An interesting phenomenon occurs about this time every year. May 7, 1975 was the last day America’s military recognized its ever-diminishing number of Viet Nam or Viet Nam-era Veterans. Or was diminishing until the passage of the PACT Act reinfused … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

VA’S NEW AI–§3.102(a) YOU NOW GET THE DOUBT OF THE BENEFIT

Posted on April 23, 2026 by asknod

No, you’re not reading a new regulation. You’re reading about VA’s new way of interpreting the old one. Pop a cold one and requisition a bowel of some Dot’s™ pretzels. This isn’t going to take a sixpak to explain. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% ratings, Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, Blue Water Navy, BvA Decisions, C&P exams, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Reductions in rating, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, VA Conspiracies, vA news, VA special monthly compensation, VA statistics, Veterans Law, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

SMC–THE NEW REDUCTION GAME

Posted on April 12, 2026 by asknod

Ever since the Fed. Circus determined (in Barry v. Denis the Menace) VA had been funning us and purposefully disremembering how many times you can be awarded half-step “bumps”, we’ve been hitting them up like Mormons on a broken one-armed … Continue reading →

Posted in Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CAFC Rulings, CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA special monthly compensation, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

BVA– DIC- DON’T WORRY BABY/ EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT ALRIGHT

Posted on February 21, 2026 by asknod

This is another one of those DIC stories I love to make the telephone call to the widow on. Only this one dragged out for ten years and three months. Grab a brewskie and some chips, turn off the boob … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, Camp Lejeune poisoning, Dependency allowance, DIC, Exposed Veteran Radio Show, Food for the soul, SC For Cause of Death, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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