Tag Archives: Veterans Benefits

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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

EXPOSED VET ZOOM SHOW

Posted on February 18, 2026 by asknod

Tomorrow afternoon/evening (1600 Pacific and 1900 East) John Stacy is doing a Video discussion of the new Medications = reduction that just came to pass yesterday. We’re going to discuss this one until we’re blue in the face. Also, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Exposed Veteran Radio Show | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment