Category Archives: Higher Level of Review (HLR)

HLR @ SAINT PETER’S=AID & ATTENDANCE (FINALLY)

Posted on December 24, 2023 by asknod

Season’s Greetings to you all. I’m getting a lot of the Iraquistan TBI chickens coming home to roost these days. The majority of them are like my Vet Allen I wrote about earlier this week. At some point, the Marines’ … Continue reading →

Posted in 1154(b) combat presumptions, Aid and Attendance, Combat Presumption, Food for the soul, Higher Level of Review (HLR), How to Qualify for VA SMC, Independent Medical Opinions, OSA, SMC, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA TBI, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

HLRs–THE DOUBLE HEADER ( SMC)

Posted on April 8, 2023 by asknod

I wonder how many of you-both litigators and pro se Veterans- have ever had a double header HLR informal conference. You heard me right. I had a HLR on Thursday morning last with DRO Loralie. Forget she was 15 minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Presumption, Higher Level of Review (HLR), Reductions in rating, TBI, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

GROUNDHOG DAY 2023–6 MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE RD

Posted on February 1, 2023 by asknod

Wow. Groundhog Day already. Shut the front door. If I were five years old, I’d of figured a year had transpired already. At almost 72, it feels more like New Year’s was a week ago. I had a kickass Higher … Continue reading →

Posted in HCV Risks (documented), Higher Level of Review (HLR), IMOs/IMEs, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 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

HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY–WORD SALAD FOR BRAIN FOG

Posted on July 14, 2022 by asknod

Unless I miss my guess, I reckon summer, or what’s going to pass for summer hereabouts, has arrived. We’ve had two successive days where it actually got near 80°. I’m playing it safe and keeping the pool at 88° until … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, AO, BvA HCV decisions, hepatitis, Higher Level of Review (HLR), IMOs/IMEs, Nexus Information, TDIU, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HLR–THIRD RATE ROMANCE (LOW RENT RENDEZVOUS)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by asknod

Well, boy howdy. I honestly thought I’d seen everything but this one is a daisy. I’m not sure how to tell you all the particulars-or if you’d even believe me were I to. It’s so bizarre as to statistically deny … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, AO, Higher Level of Review (HLR), SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

GETTING INSIDE THE WIRE AT VA

Posted on June 5, 2022 by asknod

Winning a VA claim is not impossible. Obviously, it isn’t easy but then there are a lot of things in life that require finesse. After 30 years of throwing darts at VA’s dartboard, I’ve watched them change over time. Old, … Continue reading →

Posted in HCV Epidemiology, hepatitis, Higher Level of Review (HLR), Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

§5104(b)–WHAT’S IN YOUR RD?

Posted on February 24, 2022 by asknod

February 22. In Bent Brain land, the folks in white coats call it a trigger or precipitator of depression. You watch that date approach inexorably every year and dread its arrival. After two weeks in a horrible funk, you crawl … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeals Modernization Act, Duty to Assist, Higher Level of Review (HLR), Humor, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VARO Misfeasance, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

LZ CORK– HLR-GIMME THREE STEPS TOWARDS THE DOOR

Posted on August 12, 2021 by asknod

I always wonder who the unlucky sucker is that draws the short straw on these claims. VA raters- even the old fossils- do not have a clue how to deal with §3.156(c) claims. To tell you the truth, my comprehension … Continue reading →

Posted in Higher Level of Review (HLR), Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA AMA appeals knowledge, VBMS Tricks, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND

Posted on June 13, 2021 by asknod

Before I begin, let me relay a funny happening. Once upon a time back prior to Thanksgiving in 2016, I wrote a humorous article about cheating on c&p exams. I caught a lot of flak for it because some with … Continue reading →

Posted in 3.156(c), Agent Orange, All about Veterans, Blue Water Navy, Corona pandemic, Corona virus, Higher Level of Review (HLR), Humor, Independent Medical Opinions, LZ Cork, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments