Category Archives: Independent Living Program

MAY 9, 2024–A COLD DAY IN HELL

Posted on May 9, 2024 by asknod

Thirteen years, one month and 19 days ago, I filed a request for an Independent Living Program (ILP) grant. That was March 20, 2011. A very close friend and fellow Vietnam Veteran had fought long and hard to win his … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Independent Living Program, VA Agents, VR&E | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

BVA–WHO YOU GONNA CALL? –JUDGE BUSTERS!

Posted on September 9, 2023 by asknod

Sorry it’s taken so long to take keyboard in hand and write. I’m almost recovered from the most godawful cold that kicked my ass hard. I ached so bad I lived with my trusty neck sock full of rice. You … Continue reading →

Posted in 3.156(c), Independent Living Program, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BVA- A LIPWHIPPING IN DC

Posted on August 20, 2023 by asknod

Quo vadis nonadversarial/Veteran friendly? Holy poop scoopers, Batman. In all my years litigating with VA, I had yet to meet an overtly hostile Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). How, then, to deal with a markedly overt VLJ who minced no words … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, BVA Hearings, Independent Living Program, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

M 21-THE ORIGINAL AI–NO WONDER VETS ARE SCREWED

Posted on July 3, 2023 by asknod

I apologize for my absence here. The VA tasks me. They scheduled five hearings I’ve patiently waited four years for all at once. I’m racking up frequent filer/flyer miles at a stupendous rate but have no time to even answer … Continue reading →

Posted in 4th of July, Independent Living Program, Lawyering Up, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

LZ GRAMBO-THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Posted on August 22, 2021 by asknod

I reckon everyone knows nothing gives me greater pleasure than massaging Mother Earth and coaxing Her to grow fruits and vegetables for us. Well, there’s also torturing the VA on behalf of my Veterans to obtain that which is their … Continue reading →

Posted in Corona pandemic, Corona virus, Food for the soul, Humor, Independent Living Program, KP Veterans, Pickles, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

ILP CHICKEN DINNER WINNER–HALLOWEEN TREAT

Posted on October 31, 2020 by asknod

Greetings fellow VA trick-or-treaters. I don’t have a lot of claims like these because, well, it’s pretty hard to collect 20% of a greenhouse or a sleep number bed from VA on a holdback. It’s even harder to get any … Continue reading →

Posted in IMOs/IMEs, Independent Living Program, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

DAN MOSER–KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

Posted on May 5, 2019 by asknod

This is a poignant day for all Vietnam Veterans. Imagine having to pick a day and imbue it with great pomp and circumstance. May 5th, 1975 represents the last (official) day of the Vietnam War. We Veterans of the conflict … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, AO, Independent Living Program, KP Veterans, Milestones, SMC, Stolen Valor, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, Vietnam War history, VSOs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

VR&E ILP–RESTRICTED ACCESS CLAIMS CENTERS (RACCs)

Posted on February 17, 2019 by asknod

Have you ever disobeyed a direct order and literally come out smelling like roses? Have you ever plunked a pair of MK 82 500 pounders right into the mouth of a limestone karst cave off Route 7 and gotten secondary … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, DRO and BVA Hearings, Humor, Independent Living Program, KP Veterans, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA RAMP, VBMS Tricks, VR&E, Waiver of Review in the First Instance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

VETERANCLAIM’S BLOG–ONE MORE TOOL IN YOUR VA POUCH

Posted on November 30, 2018 by asknod

I feel remiss in forgetting to share this earlier-like about five or six years ago earlier. Some who have mastered the art of Google Search must have inevitably run across this gentleman’s blog. He and I converse on the great … Continue reading →

Posted in Independent Living Program, Independent Medical Opinions, Inspirational Veterans, KP Veterans, Lawyering Up, Presumption of Regularity, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Attorneys | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CAVC #18-938–ON BLUE BAYOU

Posted on September 15, 2018 by asknod

Some would be angry or disconsolate over a loss at the CAVC. I’m not. I screwed up and I thank Judge Bartley for her fastidious attention to ferreting out the kernels of truth and the error(s) of my Extraordinary Writ. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, All about Veterans, BvA Decisions, DRO and BVA Hearings, Independent Living Program, Inspirational Veterans, KP Veterans, LZ Cork, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law, VR&E | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments