Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

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

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

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 →

Posted in Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, CAFC Rulings, CUE, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA special monthly compensation, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged Agent Orange, 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, SMC Barry Bumps, sn, VA claims, VA SMC Back Pay, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 5 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 askNOD.com, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, Service Connection, SMC Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, VA claims, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Mr. Potatohead, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 2 Comments

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 ASKNOD BOOK, askNOD.com, asknod.org, asknod@wordpress.com, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Help with SMC Claims, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, How to get VA SMC, Inspirational Veterans, Service Connection, SMC for aid and attendance, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC Claims, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 1 Comment

MANSPLAINING THE ‘NEW’ VA AI

Posted on January 11, 2026 by asknod

Several decades ago, back in about 1973, it finally struck me that the VA embraced the core tenets of the UCMJ. Rule number 1 is, of course, the Veteran is probably a liar or grossly exaggerating this- ergo he’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Complaints Department, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents | Tagged Agent Orange, askNOD.com, asknod.org, Disabled Veteran, DIY vA Claims, Gulf War Claims Help, Gulf War Vets Help, Help with vA Claims, Helping Veterans, Service Connection, VA claims, VA NEXUS LETTERS, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 3 Comments

YOU DON’T TUG ON SUPERMAN’S CAPE

Posted on January 3, 2026 by asknod

I guess I don’t need to tell anyone we woke up to an interesting development in the Caribbean this morning. Seems the U.S. elected to repossess Chevron’s stolen oil infrastructure from Venezuela. With the exception of two minor U.S. military … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, Barry Bumps in SMC, Food for the soul, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents | Tagged Agent Orange, asknod.org, 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 Barry Bumps, SMC for aid and attendance, VA backlog, VA claims, VA SMC, VA SMC Ratings, Veterans Benefits, Veterans claims help, Veterans Humor, Vietnam Veterans Claims Help. | 5 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 →