Tag Archives: Help with SMC Claims

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ANOTHER PENINSULA VALLEY SUNDAY- (FIRES BURNING EVERYWHERE)

Posted on August 9, 2026 by asknod

We live in interesting times. While the Pacific Northwest goes up in flames, we’re in a secluded niche where the prevailing winds blow all the objectionable smoke over the border to the North (Canada). VA SMC wins have been spotty … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, CUE, VA Agents, VA Medical Mysteries Explained | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

MEMORIAL DAY 2026- 8 NEW SOULS TO COMMEMORATE

Posted on May 22, 2026 by asknod

Another trip around the Sun and my eighteenth article on the subject of Memorial Day. As the title suggests, I lost another eight clients over the course of 2025. Sadly, one was not currently married (with children) and was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeals Modernization Act, Artificial Intelligence in claims, Barry Bumps in SMC, C&P exams, Claims sharks, DIC, Legacy Claims, Memorial Day, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

5/07/75–51 YEARS LATER

Posted on May 10, 2026 by asknod

An interesting phenomenon occurs about this time every year. May 7, 1975 was the last day America’s military recognized its ever-diminishing number of Viet Nam or Viet Nam-era Veterans. Or was diminishing until the passage of the PACT Act reinfused … Continue reading →

Posted in Aid and Attendance, Barry Bumps in SMC, BvA Decisions, How to Qualify for VA SMC, SMC, VA Agents, VA special monthly compensation, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION IN SAN DIEGO

Posted on April 11, 2026 by asknod

Every six months, we of the VA legal persuasion (legally accredited), descend on some unwitting city in sufficient numbers to accomplish absolutely nothing financially. Sure, the hotel will be filled to the gills but it probably would be anyway with … Continue reading →

Posted in Continuing Legal Education (CLEs), Humor, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT AND I AIN’T GOT NOBODY

Posted on March 29, 2026 by asknod

Several Veteran have emailed me with the eternal quandary of how, or why, exactly, March 29th  somehow became the “last day” of the geographical disagreement between the Republic of Viet Nam (RVN) and the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam (DRV). … Continue reading →

Posted in Food for thought, Vietnam War history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 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