Category Archives: SMC

VA’s ASYMMETRICAL LAWFARE

Posted on December 14, 2025 by asknod

Definitions from Oxford Languages    a·sym·met·ri·cal /ˌāsəˈmetrək(ə)l/ adjective having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement; lacking symmetry. “the church has an asymmetrical plan with an aisle only on one side” Similar: lopsided; unsymmetrical, crooked; uneven; … Continue reading →

Posted in CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VARO Misfeasance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 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– R2 FOR ALL THE MARBLES AND AN ODE TO COMBAT LOUIE

Posted on August 31, 2025 by asknod

Honest to God, I have had clients who deserved the highest ratings VA can offer yet the Agency turns a blind eye to them or insists they are good to go. In the instant case here, I fought one battle … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor Day, R1/R2, SMC | 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

7/04/25–NOW YOU SEE IT-NOW YOU DON’T

Posted on July 3, 2025 by asknod

I was going to write one of those gooshy National Holiday articles about how wonderful America has become in the last five or so months but hell, everyone knows that unless you’ve been holding your breath and are turning blue … Continue reading →

Posted in 4th of July, PTSD, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, VA Agents, VA TBI, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 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–CHINESE WATER TORTURE

Posted on March 23, 2025 by asknod

Have you all (pronounced y’all) ever run up against an immovable object? Have you ever decided to become an irresistible force? Welcome to asknod- Home of the Win or Die™ Team of Pickles ‘n me. Pickles, of course is my … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for the soul, Presumption of Regularity, Proof of Mailing, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BVA– WORKIN’ IN A COAL MINE

Posted on February 16, 2025 by asknod

Well, pilgrims. It’s Sunday morning and I feel that spirit moving me to bore you all to tears again with my drivel. But if even one TBI’d or PTSD’d Veteran read this blog and came to me, I’d be plumb … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Food for thought, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

BVA–§3.156(C) JUSTICE OVERDUE

Posted on January 12, 2025 by asknod

I’ve written a few articles over the years about Chris the Door Gunner, my now good friend in addition to my client. We’ve almost “gotterdone” after seven years. But not quite. VA screwed him for so long and so hard … Continue reading →

Posted in 3.156(c), §3.156(c) claims, DIC, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Humor, Independent Medical Opinions, SMC, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VA TBI, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 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