Category Archives: SMC

REDUCING THE VA BACKLOG ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME

Posted on March 1, 2026 by asknod

Several days ago, I read that VA has miraculously managed to shrink the backlog to less than 100,000 claims for the first time since 2013. At first glance, most of you would think “Holy shit, Batman. That means my claims … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FED CIRCUS- IMPLICIT DENIAL– SWEET CAROLINE

Posted on February 8, 2026 by asknod

I never was a fan of Neil Diamond. His stuff crossed into Neil Sadaka territory-too bubblegummy. But I heard the song on a recent Landman episode and it fits. “Sweet Caroline/Good times never seemed so good/I’ve been inclined/To believe they … Continue reading →

Posted in CAFC Rulings, Duty to Assist, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Implicit denial, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

VA-YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON

Posted on December 28, 2025 by asknod

I loved that song by Vanilla Fudge. It sure describes VA law. I do so wish I had a better commo channel to Secretary Collins. I feel I could save the VA millions of dollars and speed up the claims … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, Higher Level of Review (HLR), How to Qualify for VA SMC, M-21 info, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

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