Category Archives: SMC

CAVC–BIRTH OF A WRIT- ACT III SCENE 8-DOWN FOR DOUBLE

A short while ago in VA time, when I won my claim in June 2008, I noticed they (VA) forgot to go back to 1994. That wasn’t a deal breaker. I knew they weren’t going to pony up without a good … Continue reading

Posted in AO, BvA Decisions, C&P exams, CAvC HCV Ruling, CAVC Knowledge, CAVC ruling, Earlier Effective dates, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, SMC, Veterans Law, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

CAVC–BIRTH OF A WRIT ACT III SCENE 6- WHAT? ME WORRY?

I have to hand it to the VA’s Office of General Counsel. With perfect aplomb, Mr. Mark M. McNabb, a mid-level supervisor/litigator for OGC, filed his notice of appearance and the Government’s response to my Writ.  Perhaps, by being mid-level, … Continue reading

Posted in CAvC HCV Ruling, CAVC Knowledge, Extraordinary Writs of Mandamus, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, SMC, Tips and Tricks, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

CAVC–BIRTH OF A WRIT-ACT III, SCENE 3- TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE?

I got the BBE or big brown envelope as they say over at Hadit.com yesterday.  From all outward appearances, it looked like VA had chieu hoi’d and granted my heart’s desire- the Special Monthly Compensation “S” all the way back … Continue reading

Posted in Extraordinary Writs of Mandamus, SMC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

SMC–KEVIN ASKS THE BIG QUESTION.

Special Monthly Compensation fascinates me. There’s a valid reason. They can no more follow a standard path to granting it unless prodded to add it up themselves. In most cases, they make no attempt to award it if it’s a … Continue reading

Posted in SMC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

VAROs–SQUANDERING SCARCE JUDICIAL RESOURCES

Often in the course of my claims and  appeals, I have run across the term above in conjunction with the term ” in the interests of judicial economy”. They are catchphrases either at the BVA kiddycourt or the august CAVC where … Continue reading

Posted in Earlier Effective dates, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VARO Misfeasance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

CAVC– HOWELL V. NICHOLSON– WHAT SMC-S REALLY SAYS

I find SMC or Special Monthly Compensation S, as accorded to us true War Vets, to be highly misunderstood by-gasp-Veterans Service Officers who should, by rights, be well-versed in this. I just ran into one on another HCV helpsite and … Continue reading

Posted in SMC, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

SMC-S–ATTEMPTING TO CUE OLD TDIU DECISIONS

I was contacted by a Vet seeking to readjudicate an old award pre-Bradley that entailed the same or similar circumstances. To review, Bradley was awarded TDIU for one, single disability as the predicate for the total disability rating. Nevertheless, he … Continue reading

Posted in SMC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

SMC (SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION)-WHAT IS IT?

Member Carla writes and says “my husband has lost the use of his creative organ for all intents and purposes. They attribute this to his DM2. He was also blinded in one eye from shell fragments during a mortar attack … Continue reading

Posted in ASKNOD BOOK, R1/R2, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 85 Comments