Blog

For those of you who struggle with providers in distinguishing between the symptoms of mTBI and PTSD in the course of your treatment as well as in your MEB proceedings, here is a great overview of current research findings that will help you to communicate more effectively with your providers and MEB/PEB physicians: TBICoE_ResearchReview_PTSDandMildTBI_20200813_508

If you are scheduled for a VA C&P exam for PTSD as part of your IDES PEB case or a traditional VA claim, I have attached a copy of the VA Best Practices Guide that examiners are provided to review before conducting your exam.   Once you review it, you will have better insight into how […]

The Biden Supreme Court Commission’s initial draft findings have been released and its initial findings appear to shy away from Court expansion but do contemplate the possibility of panel systems as well as rotating justices in and out from lower federal courts.  While rotating justices in and out from lower federal court sound interesting, I […]

On 9/3/21, the Air Force released a comprehensive rewrite of AFI 36-2910 that includes major changes to the LOD process, as well as changes to INCAP pay and MEDCON status.  These changes include an optional review by the Judge Advocate for ILOD determinations, the Wing/CC as the final authority for all ILOD determinations, NILOD-EPTS-NSA findings […]

For those of you who were unaware or have not yet been contacted about the class action settlement regarding Army Discharge Review Board (“ADRB”) decisions made during the period from 17 Apr 11 to the effective date of the settlement.  Under the agreement, the Army will automatically reconsider certain discharge-status-upgrade decisions made by the Army […]

Please consider writing to your Congressman and Senators to urge them to support the Senate Bill 2102- The Service Act of 2021- a bill that authorizes the VA to offer mammography screenings to veterans who have served in areas associated with toxic exposure.  Here is the link to this bill:  https://tinyurl.com/997nyc

The VA recently announced a new pilot program to allow VA accredited representatives, agents, and attorneys to file for an expedited Higher-Level Review (“HLR”) of obvious errors of fact or law within 30 days of notification of a decision by the agency.   If you do not file this request within 30 days of notification, your […]

In Beaudette v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Court of Veterans Claims recently determined that veterans denied caregiver benefits could appeal through the BVA in a landmark decision that I have attached for your review. In doing so, the court certified Andy Legovlan of Paul Hastings LLP and Amanda Pertusi of Public Counsel’s Center for […]

As a teenager, I remember my Dad – a combat veteran of fierce fighting in North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Salerno, and Monte Cassino- pouring three glasses of single malt with his friend “Snake” on Memorial Day in a toast to their fallen friends. One for each of them, one for those who never came back.  […]

Senator Jon Tester unveiled his groundbreaking COST of War Act yesterday- a bill that recognizes the federal government’s responsibility to provide health care and disability compensation to veterans fighting the effects of toxic exposure connected to their military service. This legislation would allow all veterans who were at risk of toxic exposure to obtain immediate […]