Category Archives: Special Monthly Compensation

BVA-LASKA DEJA VU–LOOKIN’ FOR T IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

Posted on October 29, 2026 by asknod

Big shout out for Amy Odom on her absolutely stellar Laska victory back in…wait, September 4, 2024? But that occurred before my Johnny Vet was denied. We got the Dear John letter on October 5th if you go by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Appeals Modernization Act, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CAVC ruling, Food for thought, SMC T, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA statistics, Veterans Law | Tagged Agent Orange, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to win SMC T, Korean War Vets Help, Service Connection, SMC, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, SMC for two aid and attendance ratings, VA claims, VA SMC R1, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 3 Comments

THE SECRETARY COLLINS REPORT CARD–TRICKED OR TREATED?

Posted on October 11, 2026 by asknod

Let me lead off by saying this is not about politics or party affiliation. We don’t do that- or religion- here for good reasons- the very least of which is we have more important matters afoot worth discussing regarding our … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, BvA HCV decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Humor, R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged Agent Orange, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, HCV, HCV Decisions, HCVETS, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC for two aid and attendance ratings, VA backlog, VA claims, vA CLAIMS FOR PTSD, VA SMC R1, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 4 Comments

DEPT. OF VET AFFAIRS–WORKING 9 TO 5 ON DENIALS

Posted on September 13, 2026 by asknod

I wanted to write an article on Friday Sept. 11 but to me, the day shouldn’t involve dragging in Veterans’ trials and tribulations. That’s a day reserved for America’s civilian heroes. Hence, my purposeful two-day delay before writing this. Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% ratings, Aid and Attendance, BvA Decisions, CAVC/COVA Decision, hepatitis, PACT ACT, SMC Bedridden, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, VA Agents, VA TBI | Tagged askNOD.com, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, SMC for two aid and attendance ratings, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC Parkinsons, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

BVA-SMC T–EENY MEENY MINEY MO

Posted on August 30, 2026 by asknod

Folks, this is like fishing with hand grenades. Having engaged in that very pastime fifty six years ago, I can say that truthfully. And I even got free beer and paid to do it but that’s another story for another … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Presumption of Soundness, PTSD, SMC, SMC T, Special Monthly Compensation, TBI, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, VA TBI | Tagged ASKNOD BOOK, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, How to win SMC T, Service Connection, VA claims, VA SMC Claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | Leave a comment

THE CAVC’S ROLE IN THE NEW AMA ERA

Posted on August 23, 2026 by asknod

Once upon a time in a…wait. Wrong story. Actually, I have about ten stories stacked up but I wanted to write this column for a long time. I’m sure I’ll end up stepping on someone’s feelings be they an attorney, … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeals Modernization Act, ASKNOD BOOK, BvA Decisions, Higher Level of Review (HLR), R1/R2, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC for Mental Illness, VA SMC Mr. Potatohead, VA SMC Parkinsons, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

ARTIFICIAL IGNORANCE–BOLDLY GOING NOWHERE INSTANTLY

Posted on July 26, 2026 by asknod

First off this glorious Sunday, (68° and light breeze), I thank the Weather gods we’re not melting. Living here in the Pacific Northwest is, for the most part, a respite from all the global heat waves across our fruited plains. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Artificial Intelligence in claims, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, DRO and BVA Hearings, Duty to Assist, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA Motions for Reconsideration, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, VA claims, VA Independent Living Program, VA SMC Claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 2 Comments

CAVC–BUILDING THE PERFECT PUNJI PIT

Posted on July 19, 2026 by asknod

I’m probably going to upset some cadre of Veterans over at VBN who are still life members of the SMC Flat Earth Society. By that I mean those who cling to the Combat Craig mentality of “Don’t poke the SMC … Continue reading →

Posted in Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, CAVC ruling, CAVC/COVA Decision, CUE, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged asknod.org, CAvC/COvA Decisions, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get SMC Loss of Use, How to get VA SMC, Service Connection, SMC, SMC Barry Bumps, VA claims, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Parkinsons, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

AOJ LA- FIELD OF DREAMS

Posted on May 31, 2026 by asknod

We live in interesting times. As most know, I’ve been making life miserable for countless VA Secretaries over the last several decades. I’ve come to expect a certain amount of pushback and recalcitrance to grant my clients’ rightfully earned benefits. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, How to win SMC T, Service Connection, VA claims, VA SMC Back Pay, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Mr. Potatohead, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 4 Comments

VA’S NEW AI–§3.102(a) YOU NOW GET THE DOUBT OF THE BENEFIT

Posted on April 23, 2026 by asknod

No, you’re not reading a new regulation. You’re reading about VA’s new way of interpreting the old one. Pop a cold one and requisition a bowel of some Dot’s™ pretzels. This isn’t going to take a sixpak to explain. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% ratings, Agent Orange, Aid and Attendance, Blue Water Navy, BvA Decisions, C&P exams, How to Qualify for VA SMC, Reductions in rating, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, VA Conspiracies, vA news, VA special monthly compensation, VA statistics, Veterans Law, Vietnam Disease Issues | Tagged Agent Orange, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, How to win SMC T, Korean War Vets Help, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, VA claims, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 3 Comments

SMC–THE NEW REDUCTION GAME

Posted on April 12, 2026 by asknod

Ever since the Fed. Circus determined (in Barry v. Denis the Menace) VA had been funning us and purposefully disremembering how many times you can be awarded half-step “bumps”, we’ve been hitting them up like Mormons on a broken one-armed … Continue reading →