Category Archives: SMC

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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 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

BVA–A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

Posted on November 23, 2024 by asknod

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to get it right and are under the gun, timewise, it doesn’t pan out. The soufflé falls flat, the car battery is dead when you’re late for your doctor’s appointment etc. You feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, DIC, Milestones, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Medical Mysteries Explained, VA special monthly compensation, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VA AID & ATTENDANCE–RAISING THE ANTE

Posted on November 3, 2024 by asknod

Ever since Congress instituted this statute (§1114 now but §314) back in the waning days of WW II, it has remained a mystery to most. VSOs are neither taught the art nor allowed to even acknowledge its very existence. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, C&P exams, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, VA special monthly compensation, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION–THE LATEST JEDI KNIGHTS

Posted on September 29, 2024 by asknod

I’ve been horribly remiss in getting this article out. I apologize profusely-both to you, the readership and the latest graduates of the SMC Academy. In fact, I was waaaaay remiss (five months) in creating and printing the diplomas. As many … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Equitable Estoppel, Food for the soul, Independent Living Program, R1/R2, SMC, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

LASKA V. DENIS THE MENACE– SWEET HOME ALABAMA

Posted on September 7, 2024 by asknod

Used to be back in the old days, every rating decision with the the VA logo on the top had the actual Fort Fumble identified. Thus you knew from whence it originated if you wished to hurl imprecations and discuss … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, CAVC Knowledge, CAVC ruling, CAVC/COVA Decision, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BVA–GONNA BE A HEARTACHE TONIGHT

Posted on July 27, 2024 by asknod

Life is good. It’s summer. It should be good-and moreover, it should be redolent with good memories and fun. But, as the title to this blog implies, there’s gonna be a continuing heartache for a few of us due to … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Complaints Department, Duty to Assist, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Independent Living Program, SMC, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CAFC-BARRY VS. DENIS THE MENACE–I LIKE THAT OLD TIME ROCK AND ROLL

Posted on May 16, 2024 by asknod

Not since the epochal SMC precedence set in Bradley versus Peake waaay back in 2008 have we seen anything to upstage this one. Buie v. Shinseki may have been a close second running neck and neck with Jensen v. Shulkin … Continue reading →

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

SMC AND COMBAT CRAIG–DON’T POKE THE BEAR

Posted on April 21, 2024 by asknod

I always wonder what VA “Experts” have been smoking when they open their pieholes and start explaining SMC. The best one I’ve heard in recent memory is probably when our fellow 100%-rated Veteran and expert in all things VA, Combat … Continue reading →

Posted in How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VA TBI, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments