Category Archives: VA Agents

SMC N– NEVER HEARD OF IT. GIVE HIM AN S

You won’t see me write very much about SMC N because it’s the “hump” rating. To get there you need to have- at a bare minimum, loss of use of the lower extremities with one extremity useless above the knee … Continue reading

Posted in Independent Medical Opinions, KP Veterans, Nexus Information, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

FORT FUGETABOUTIT (HOUSTON)–A PAIR OF JEANS THAT FIT JUST RIGHT

In 1973, I was unceremoniously evicted from the ranks of active military personnel. My crime? Why, being antisocial with passive aggressive tendencies. Since then, it’s metastasized. I have become social with active aggressive tendencies. This personality disorder pays off in … Continue reading

Posted in Aid and Attendance, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, vARO Decisions, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

LINCOLN LOG SMC UPDATE

Cupcake and I attended a soirée for a politician wannabe recently. A rude, pushy woman we know got in my face and asked my opinion á-propos  Roe versus Wade. Hoooooo, doggies. I thought for a few seconds and finally came … Continue reading

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, Higher Level of Review (HLR), KP Veterans, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

LINCOLN LOG SMC-PREPARE THE PUNJI PIT

Some litigators are recalcitrant to reveal their techniques for getting from A to B. I don’t feel that way. This is a true Do-It-Yourself (DIY) site. I don’t have time to do every claim that comes through the door. If … Continue reading

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, HISA Grants, KP Veterans, SMC, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BVA–(I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTON

Have you ever had a claim go sideways over and over again ad nauseum? Hell, of course you have if it was the VA. Remember how they get to ‘construe’ what they think it is you’re asking for? Now imagine … Continue reading

Posted in Aid and Attendance, All about Veterans, BvA Decisions, Earlier Effective dates, R1/R2, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

CAVC-STOVER v. McDONOUGH–THE LAST AO ROUNDUP?

Assuming the new “Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021”, abbreviated as PACT, ever passes, Mr. Jack L. Stover’s appeal here and the remand back to the AOJ Puzzle Palace for readjudication (via the BVA) will become … Continue reading

Posted in Agent Orange, AO, CAVC Knowledge, Thailand AO presumptive path, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY–WORD SALAD FOR BRAIN FOG

Unless I miss my guess, I reckon summer, or what’s going to pass for summer hereabouts, has arrived. We’ve had two successive days where it actually got near 80°. I’m playing it safe and keeping the pool at 88° until … Continue reading

Posted in Agent Orange, AO, BvA HCV decisions, hepatitis, Higher Level of Review (HLR), IMOs/IMEs, Nexus Information, TDIU, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

VBA348-CATFISHING ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER

It’s not often you get a Vet who comes to you with a great back story. It’s an even finer thing when he hasn’t monkeyed with it and made it a thorough mess with all the wrong filings and denials. … Continue reading

Posted in All about Veterans, PTSD, TBI, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Starting a New Business? Consider Hiring Veterans

Starting a new business is exciting and a little scary. The opportunity to be your own boss attracts many people into the world of start-ups, but creating a successful business takes careful planning, attention to detail, and hard work. Obviously, … Continue reading

Posted in All about Veterans, Guest authors, Public Service Announcements, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SMC T–FINDING SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR YOU

Searching through VA data, it might appall you to discover just how many of you are not totally disabled who should be. I remember seeing some of the early breakdowns of ratings percentages by actual numbers rather than broad statistics … Continue reading

Posted in 100% ratings, Aid and Attendance, Gulf War Issues, PTSD, SMC, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VA statistics, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments