#Evidence

5 min

Clear and Unmistakable Error: VA Disability Claim CUE Process and Timeline

Process and Timeline The Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA) was created to streamline the process for veterans who want to challenge a decision on their VA disability claim. There are multiple lanes a veteran can pursue to improve their rating upon initial decisions, one of which is based on clear and unmistakable error. What is Clear and Unmistakable Error? Clear and unmistakable error, also referred to as CUE, refers to a mistake made during a V

Insomnia VA Rating and Disability Rating for Sleep Disturbances

7 min

Evidence

Insomnia VA Rating and Disability Rating for Sleep Disturbances

The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) is responsible for compensating military veterans who received a disability during their time in service. Depending on the effects military service has on an individual’s sleeping patterns, they may be eligible to file a VA disability claim for insomnia. What is Insomnia? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines insomnia as a “dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, associate

VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis, Radiculopathy and Cervicalgia VA

8 min

VA Appeals

VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis, Radiculopathy and Cervicalgia VA

VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia), Cervical Spine Pain, & Neck Arthritis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) views conditions of the spine through two main categories—neck and back. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. Neck pain refers to the top seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. Pain in the neck—or cervicalgia—is recognized by VA as a disability that should be compensated if caused by mili

VA Disability Claim Complete: When Do I Get Paid?

1 min

VA Appeals

VA Disability Claim Complete: When Do I Get Paid?

It’s important to remember that your effective date only matters if your claim is approved by VA. If your claim is denied, you will receive no benefits regardless of the effective date. The amount of time it takes VA to pay out benefits depends on a number of factors. Everything from the severity of your condition to the quality of your claim can affect how long you have to wait for a claim decision. Once the claim is finally decided and the rating shows up on va.gov —assumin

1 min

Compensation

VA Disability Claim Back Pay

VA disability back pay is the money owed to a veteran that the VA should have been paying them from the time they became entitled to compensation (what the VA calls the “effective date”) through the time the VA actually granted the veteran’s claim. The VA can often take months or years to grant benefits, depending on several factors. However, the longer you wait for a decision, the more back pay you will be owed. #Evidence #VAClaims #Tips #VADisability #Veterans #VARating #va

VA Rating for Knee Pain: VA Knee Rating Chart and VA Secondary Conditions to Knee Pain

10 min

Evidence

VA Rating for Knee Pain: VA Knee Rating Chart and VA Secondary Conditions to Knee Pain

Many veterans who served in the military develop pain in their knees and lower legs due to their time in active service. The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) handles compensation and military disability rating for knee pain. If you developed knee problems due to military service, you may be entitled to financial compensation from VA. Consult a legal representative to determine whether or not you are eligible for VA disability benefits. How Common is Knee Pain in Vete

How To Find Family Military Records Or History Of Military Units

4 min

Evidence

How To Find Family Military Records Or History Of Military Units

Many want to know how to find military records on a family member. Others want to know about certain military units, their histories, etc. While the search options for these two categories (units versus individuals) vary, there are some issues they have in common that you’ll want to know about before starting your search. For example, when trying to get more information on an individual unit or servicemember, knowing the service dates and locations is a big help. Also helpful

5 min

Applying

How To Write A VA Claim Buddy Letter

When a veteran files a disability claim with the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), having a Lay Witness Statement, Statement in Support of Claim, or “buddy letter,” can provide additional information that can help in getting their claim approved. A buddy letter can provide evidence of where the event or injury that caused a disability occurred, when it happened, and other details about the event and its impact on the veteran filing the claim. Who needs a buddy letter

1 min

Evidence

Veterans Who Are Physicians/ Health Care Providers CAN Produce Claim Evidence For Themselves

Here’s what the VA’s M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual says about doctors who are veterans themselves and evidence: “VA cannot summarily discount otherwise competent medical evidence from a Veteran who is a physician or health care provider. DBQ reports completed by these individuals will be reviewed under the same criteria for reviewing DBQs submitted by a third-party health care provider. In effect, VA claims adjudicators must subject the evidence of record to some deg

2 min

Evidence

The Importance of Lay Evidence in Your VA Disability Claim

What is lay evidence? One of the most powerful tools to use in building a VA disability claims case is “lay evidence.” Representatives often obtain lay evidence in the process of building up a veteran’s claim—in fact, it is often one of the starting points. It tells the VA and the representative, exactly what the veteran is going through now, or has gone through in the past. It just means testimony or written statements that come from someone other than a medical doc

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