Tag Archives: VA SMC Claims

ARTIFICIAL IGNORANCE–BOLDLY GOING NOWHERE INSTANTLY

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CAVC–BUILDING THE PERFECT PUNJI PIT

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

7/04/2026–BREAKING AMERICA’S PROMISE…ONE DISEASE AT A TIME

Yeah. That title tells you right off this sucks. I thought long and hard about writing about the Birth of our Great Nation. Each beginning introduction inevitably led into a discussion about where we have been more so than where … Continue reading

Posted in 4th of July, All about Veterans, VA Agents, VA Attorneys, VSOs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE COMING VA DILEMMA

I know the title above sounds like doom and gloom but I’m going to take you on a journey to the inevitable future-both of VA’s proposed Compensation haircuts as well as America’s too. Much of what I’m going to say … Continue reading

Posted in Agent Orange, Artificial Intelligence in claims, §3.156(c) claims, C&P exams, IMOs/IMEs, Independent Medical Opinions, VA Agents, Veterans Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

AOJ LA- FIELD OF DREAMS

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

5/07/75–51 YEARS LATER

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

FED CIRCUS- IMPLICIT DENIAL– SWEET CAROLINE

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

BVA– AND I’M FEELIN’. . GLAD ALL OVER

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

VA-YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON

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

FOR ENFILADING FIRE, ALWAYS PLACE YOUR PIGS ON YOUR FLANKS

I know. That title sounds pretty onerous but it was a wise piece of advice in the 60’s that carries over into the litigation world. Meet Roger the chef. Roger enlisted in June of 1964 just in time to enjoy … Continue reading

Posted in BvA Decisions, PACT ACT, SMC School, Special Monthly Compensation, Tips and Tricks, VA Agents, VBMS Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment