Category Archives: Uncategorized
Important VA Webcast- 10/16/18 @ 2PM EST
To all veterans and their families reading this blog, here is the link to a live webcast being held on 10/16 at 2pm EST in which Dr. Paul Lawrence- the Undersecretary for Benefits for the VA – will discuss changes and updates to the benefits process. It requires pre-registration and is free to attendees. Please […]
Where to Find Navy CORB Policy Guidance
If you are currently enrolled in the PEB process or are petitioning one of the various personnel boards administered by the Navy Council of Review Boards, I have provided you with the direct link below to their current policy memoranda so that you will be able to readily familiarize yourself with any policies governing your […]
SECNAVINST 1770.5- New Instruction for LOD Benefits for Naval and Marine Reservists
On August 29, 2018, the Secretary of the Navy issued a new instruction regarding the management and disposition of LOD Benefits for Naval and Marine Reservists that is available for download by clicking this link: SECNAV 1770.5 LOD for reservists. I have not yet had the chance to review it in detail but will comment […]
Document Migraines Now, Avoid Headaches Later
If you suffer from migraines on a regular basis and believe that these headaches render you Unfit, here is how we will establish this fact for the PEB and the VA Rating Activity. First, you must be prescribed both abortive and prophylaxis medications by a neurologist who has diagnosed you with migraine headaches- being diagnosed […]
How to Handle a Bad IDES C& P Exam
Within two weeks of finishing your VA C&P exams for your DOD IDES case, please request a copy of your exam reports from your PEBLO. If you find inaccuracies or misstatements in the exam, we can address these problems in one of three different ways. First, by sending an e-mail documenting these shortcomings to the […]
Never Decline a Range of Motion Exam
I cringe every time that a client tells me that a VA C&P examining physician said that it would not be necessary to perform a range of motion assessment on his or her spine or joints because the veteran or service member “… was in too much pain.” Let me be frank with you- declining […]
How to Write Great Personal Impact Statements
Personal Impact Statements are strongly encouraged by PEBLOs and MSCs in order to provide you with the opportunity to describe how your various medical conditions affect you in the performance of your duties. Sadly, many members simply draft these documents to describe their medical history, previous duty assignments and express their love for the service. […]
IDES Reminder- Requesting VA C&P Exams ASAP
For those of you participating in the IDES PEB process, it is critical for you to request copies of your VA C&P exams within a couple of weeks of these exams being conducted. You see, in most cases, the VA Rating Activity will assign disability ratings for your DES-referred and service-connected conditions directly from the […]
TDRL Update- How to Get Your VA Provider to Perform Your TDRL Exam
For TDRL members who receive most or all of their health care from the VA, this may cause be quite problematic when it is time for your TDRL review exam. You see, VA providers are no longer allowed to complete DBQ forms unless they are performing C&P exams for the VA. This means that they […]
4th Circuit Rejects KBR Burn Pit Appeal
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has just released its opinion declining jurisdiction in the Metzgar v. KBR Burn Pit case as it determined that KBR operated these facilities under military control. This made the operation of the burn pits a “de facto military decision” that was not subject to review by the Court under […]
