Can You Get a VA Disability Increase for Medication Side Effects?
Medication side effects can be just as debilitating as the conditions they treat. From weight gain and sexual dysfunction to liver damage and cognitive issues, some side effects have a significant impact on your daily life and long-term health. If you’re already receiving VA disability for a service-connected condition, you might be wondering if you […]
Understanding How to Get Permanent and Total Disability from the VA
If you’re navigating the VA disability system, you may have heard the phrase “Permanent and Total Disability” or seen “P&T” used in conversations with other veterans. Reaching this rating level can be life-changing. It can mean a massive jump in monthly disability payments plus many other benefits, which can include everything from property tax exemption […]
What’s the Timeline for a VA Rating Increase Decision?
If you’ve submitted a claim for a VA disability increase, it’s natural to start watching the calendar and wondering when you’ll get a decision. But as you probably already know—or are quickly discovering—the VA doesn’t always move as quickly as you’d like. It currently takes about 5 months from the time the VA receives your […]
What Are the Different Types of Service Connection for My VA Disability?
If you’re filing for a VA rating increase, one of the most important concepts to understand is service connection. Without proving a connection between your current condition and your military service, the VA won’t approve your claim—no matter how serious your disability might be. But not all service connections are created equal. The VA recognizes several […]
Don’t Jeopardize Your VA Claim with These Nexus Letter Mistakes
You’ve served your country, and now you’re navigating the complex world of VA disability claims. One of the most important things the VA wants to see is a connection—or nexus—between your condition/disability and your military service. A nexus letter from a qualified doctor is one of the most powerful ways to establish this connection. Do […]
How to Win Your PACT Act VA Claim
You may have heard of the PACT Act, with PACT standing for Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics. This 2022 act extends VA compensation and health care to veterans who were exposed to various toxic substances. The PACT Act was one of the biggest expansions of benefits in VA history. Since it was passed, PACT Act […]
Maximize Your VA Rating with a Personal Statement
You’ll need medical evidence to win your VA claim, but you can strengthen your claim further with lay evidence, including a personal statement. A personal statement gives VA reviewers an insider’s view of your health condition. If there are gaps in your medical record in relation to your health condition, it can help fill in […]
Are You Eligible for a VA Rating Increase for Back Pain?
38 CFR, Part 4, Subpart B If you’re a veteran living with chronic back pain, you’re not alone, and you’ve probably wondered how the VA decides what your condition is worth. Back pain is one of the most common issues among veterans, and it’s also one of the most frequently claimed disabilities with the VA. […]
Was Your VA Claim Remanded? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you receive a decision from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), it can feel like you’ve reached the final step in your journey—but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, instead of an approval or denial, the Board issues a remand. If you’ve seen this word in your appeal update and aren’t sure what it […]
Are VA Mental Health Ratings Changing? Here’s What to Expect
The VA has proposed a shakeup to its mental health rating system. The current administration is reviewing the proposed changes, and we’re waiting to hear whether they will be approved or denied—and if approved, when they will take effect. But regardless, knowledge is power, and it’s good to prepare for what could lie ahead. Here’s […]