Tag Archives: asknod.org

MILESTONES–JOSEPH ALLEN McDONALD 1942-2026

Posted on March 8, 2026 by asknod

For Millennials, Gen Y and Z, this will be lost on you. In fact, I expect it would only have relevance to Baby Boomers. Country Joe was THE voice in the late-Sixties-early Seventies for the Vietnam Counterculture. I got to … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for the soul, Milestones, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

REDUCING THE VA BACKLOG ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME

Posted on March 1, 2026 by asknod

Several days ago, I read that VA has miraculously managed to shrink the backlog to less than 100,000 claims for the first time since 2013. At first glance, most of you would think “Holy shit, Batman. That means my claims … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, SMC, Special Monthly Compensation, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

THE SUNDAY ROUNDUP/CHICKEN LITTLE REPORT

Posted on February 22, 2026 by asknod

I find all kinds of gems scattered across the Internet. One toy I play with is a word search tool to find out where my name is mentioned to make sure nobody is putting words in my mouth. As all … Continue reading →

Posted in CAVC Knowledge, Diagnostic Codes (DCs), Food for thought, Medical News, VA Agents | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BVA– DIC- DON’T WORRY BABY/ EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT ALRIGHT

Posted on February 21, 2026 by asknod

This is another one of those DIC stories I love to make the telephone call to the widow on. Only this one dragged out for ten years and three months. Grab a brewskie and some chips, turn off the boob … Continue reading →

Posted in BvA Decisions, Camp Lejeune poisoning, Dependency allowance, DIC, Exposed Veteran Radio Show, Food for the soul, SC For Cause of Death, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 →

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

A WARM, FUZZY CHRISTMAS STORY

Posted on December 21, 2025 by asknod

Folks who know me have come to expect I’ll always salt in some April Fools humor into any holiday. I was going to write a long, heartfelt story about one of my Vets but this is a time for joy … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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