Category Archives: Special Monthly Compensation

BVA– AND I’M FEELIN’. . GLAD ALL OVER

Posted on January 19, 2026 by asknod

In the news, we’re constantly bombarded by articles about the passing of the last Pearl Harbor Survivor, the last guy who came ashore at Omaha, the last Navajo Code Talker and more. Don’t get me wrong. I revere every one … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, BVA Purplebook, Pickles, R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

BVA–YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT TIMES 2

Posted on January 12, 2026 by asknod

Always remember the second half of the bridge- “But if you try sometime, you’ll find…you get what you need.” It’s the theme song of my VA litigation journey at VA. This is a great win for a poor, horribly disabled … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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

FOR ENFILADING FIRE, ALWAYS PLACE YOUR PIGS ON YOUR FLANKS

Posted on November 16, 2025 by asknod

I know. That title sounds pretty onerous but it was a wise piece of advice in the 60’s that carries over into the litigation world. Meet Roger the chef. Roger enlisted in June of 1964 just in time to enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, PACT ACT, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

RECENT ARTICLE IN WAPO ABOUT FRAUD IN VETERANS’ CLAIMS

Posted on October 30, 2025 by asknod

It’s funny how certain things rear their ugly heads right smack dab in the middle of nasty articles about all us lyin’ stinkin’ Vets just looking for a handout. A week after that article came out, I was doing a … Continue reading →

Posted in All about Veterans, Claims sharks, FACE HUMOR, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Claims Sharks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

CHECK OUT THIS BAD BOY

Posted on October 24, 2025 by asknod

Wes and me are like peas and carrots. One of these days he’ll realize that Scotch is far superior to Bourbon but that always takes time and years of culture. Besides, they probably don’t have Scotch in Georgia so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, DM II, Loss of Use, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 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-35 YEARS TO WIN–RIDE MY SEE-SAW

Posted on June 22, 2025 by asknod

Great song by the Moody Blues.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog here, a PIC (pilot in charge) I often flew with was fond of the group and that particular song. He flew into a mountain one morning up … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, CAVC/COVA Decision, Earlier Effective dates, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments