Category Archives: Earlier Effective dates

FORT COURAGE– DUMPSTER-DIVING IN THE VBMS

Posted on May 11, 2023 by asknod

I love the VA’s computer. It can show you mistakes made back in the dawn of time. They’re just sitting there waiting to be found. Sadly, VA won’t do these claims expeditions in search of repairs. Hell, they’ll come after … Continue reading →

Posted in 3.156(c), Earlier Effective dates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CUE TRAINING FOR DUMMIES

Posted on January 22, 2023 by asknod

Here’s a Powerpoint presentation for VA employees I received from an Agent I helped get her wings. Imagine that. In one session which they claim will only consume three (3) hours, they propose to make you a VA Jedi Knight … Continue reading →

Posted in CUE, Earlier Effective dates, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

CAVC– Barry v. Denis the Menace

Posted on February 7, 2022 by asknod

Long have we waited for some guidance on this subject. The quandary was, and still is, simple…and ageless. Reading §3.350(f)(3) or, arguendo, (f)(4), is it open to conjecture as to whether a half-step and/or a whole step increase in SMC … Continue reading →

Posted in AO, BVA Hearings, BVA Purplebook, CAVC Knowledge, Earlier Effective dates, Humor, Lawyering Up, TDIU, Tips and Tricks, VA Attorneys, VBMS Tricks, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

VA C&P EXAMS–THE NEUROLOGIST FROM HELL

Posted on January 30, 2022 by asknod

Right. I’ll take c&p exams for a million dollars, Alex. The answer is… “Dr. JD  of the American Lake VAMC”.  What is an “illegitimate IMO”?  Correct, Johnny Vet.  Boy howdy, in all my days doing this, and they’re beginning to … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Earlier Effective dates, Lay testimony, Legacy Claims, Nexus Information, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

LZ CORK–I’LL SEE YOU AND RAISE

Posted on October 11, 2021 by asknod

How shall I start this article? It began in 2014 in a little bar in Key Center Washington over a scotch (neat, with a water back). Butch’s daughter, born shortly after he arrived in country in late 68, had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, All about Veterans, §3.156(c) claims, BvA Decisions, Earlier Effective dates, KP Veterans, LZ Cork, Obtaining a C-file, PTSD, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FORT FUMBLE, NEBRASKA–HELTER SKELTER

Posted on September 4, 2021 by asknod

Only in the corndog capital of the United States could you have a VA adjudicatory mishap of such epic proportions presented with a straight face. Nah. Just kidding. In this day and age, with the VA’s National Work Queue (NWQ), … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% ratings, Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, Appeals Modernization Act, BvA Decisions, Duty to Assist, Earlier Effective dates, Humor, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Motions for Reconsideration, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BVA–NOTHING IS EVERYTHING

Posted on February 13, 2021 by asknod

27°. Boy howdy is it ever cold out today. The great big Snowmageddon going on across our fruitless plains finally arrived hereabouts yesterday. Pickles loves it. This wouldn’t be considered a real Snowstorm snowstorm unless you just moved here from … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, BvA Decisions, Earlier Effective dates, Equitable tolling, Humor, Legacy Claims, Nexus Information, Pickles, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA suspense dates, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

VAROs–THE THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM?

Posted on January 19, 2021 by asknod

Welcome to the New Year. It’s apparent we have a new metric afoot in the Veterans Service Centers across our fruited plains. Right. VAROs are now called VSCs and have been for a while. The boss of the “service” center … Continue reading →

Posted in AO, Blue Water Navy, BvA Decisions, Corona pandemic, CUE, DM II, Earlier Effective dates, HCV Epidemiology, Humor, Informal Claims, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA suspense dates, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

FORT PEA GRAVEL–SQUARE BOB CUE PANTS

Posted on August 31, 2020 by asknod

While this isn’t my largest number of Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) busts on one decision in my career, it’s certainly a butt load of errors to make-not once but thrice. This was clearly a “Mission from God” assignment. Chase … Continue reading →

Posted in CUE, Earlier Effective dates, HCV Epidemiology, HCV Risks (documented), KP Veterans, Nexus Information, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment