VA Made Easy

Welcome back to VA Made Easy, in this episode Ed Farmer, VA disability appeals attorney and combat veteran, delves into the upcoming changes to VA rating criteria for digestive system disorders. Covering the three major updates for irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and hemorrhoids, Ed breaks down the implications for veterans seeking disability benefits. With a focus on the minimum ratings...

Join VA disability appeals attorney and combat veteran Ed Farmer in this episode of VA Made Easy as he delves into the VA PACT Act and the issues surrounding TERA exams. Ed highlights how the VA is scheduling an increasing number of TERA exams for various conditions, leading to unnecessary delays in claims processing. He discusses the inadequacy of these exams, including examiners spending minimal...

Join VA disability appeals attorney and combat veteran Ed Farmer as he delves into the three crucial elements required to establish service connection for VA disability compensation. In this episode, Ed emphasizes the importance of proving a current disability, identifying an event, injury, or disease in service, and establishing a medical nexus between the current disability and the in-service ev...

Join VA disability appeals attorney and combat veteran Ed Farmer as he delves into the higher-level review process and the potential benefits of informal conferences. Ed sheds light on the common scenarios where higher-level reviews are relevant, such as addressing incorrect effective dates and ensuring consideration of positive evidence. He also shares his shift in utilizing informal conferences...

In this episode of VA Made Easy, Ed Farmer, a VA-accredited attorney and US Army combat veteran, explains why your appeal to the board may be taking longer than expected. Ed discusses the factors that lead to these delays, including the large number of appeals at the board and the implications of the two appeal systems. He also sheds light on bureaucratic mismanagement and how it affects the appea...

Join Ed Farmer, a VA accredited attorney and US Army combat veteran, as he breaks down secondary service connection for VA diability ratings. Drawing from his real case experienced, Ed explains the process of building up a disability rating through secondary service connection, using a step-by-step approach and practical examples from a winning case. He shares insights on the criteria for establis...

In today's episode of VA Made Easy, VA-accredited attorney and US Army veteran Ed Farmer explains the VA's presumptive rule for conditions related to service and how to win a claim even if you were diagnosed years after leaving the service. Exploring the list of conditions that can qualify for this presumption, Ed provides insights into the process of proving service connection and winning claims....

Join Ed Farmer, a VA accredited attorney and US Army combat veteran, as he breaks down the key elements of VA disability claims on this episode of VA Made Easy. Ed discusses the three crucial factors needed to prove a VA disability claim, emphasizing the importance of a current disability, an event, injury, or disease that occurred in service, and a medical nexus.  He addresses the misconception t...

Join VA-accredited attorney and US Army veteran Ed Farmer as he dives into the topic of getting a medical nexus opinion for VA disability claims. Ed sheds light on the importance of a well-crafted medical nexus letter and walks through how to navigate the complexities of obtaining one. He discusses the significance of choosing qualified medical professionals to provide opinions, emphasizing the ne...

In this episode of VA Made Easy, attorney and combat veteran Ed Farmer delves into the intricacies of Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Ed discusses six key points about TDIU that every veteran should know, including how the VA considers disabilities, educational and occupational history, age, and the ability to work while on TDIU. Forms mentioned: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/a...

In today's episode of VA Made Easy, Ed Farmer, VA disability appeals attorney and disabled veteran, talks about the five most common mistakes that VA examiners make and how to deal with them. Ed goes into detail about each mistake, explaining the subtleties and consequences of these errors. You can find helpful resources in the video and links provided below. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu...

Join Ed Farmer as he discusses proposed changes to VA rating criteria in 2024, with a focus on tinnitus, sleep apnea, and mental health conditions. Unpacking key elements, Ed explores the proposed shifts in tinnitus ratings, potential impacts on sleep apnea evaluations, and the revamped approach toward assessing mental health conditions. Delving deeper, concerns and potential benefits of these cha...

In this followup episode, Ed into the murky world of unaccredited agents and the jaw-dropping contracts they're using! He shares the contents of these contracts and explains why this is so alarming, and warns about potential legal pitfalls for veterans who use these services. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7rkh0bl5NQ0   Videos mentioned in this episode: Accredited Representatives part 1...

Today Ed walks through the different types of board of veterans appeals hearings, what they mean, and what you need to do to prepare for them! Know what to expect as Ed breaks it all down.  Videos mentioned in this episode:  Accredited Representatives video: https://youtu.be/tZWVwJDM7LI      This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FH8hfJs2ggY     Disclaimer: The material and information containe...

Ed breaks down the three ways how you can get the VA to pay beyond the 100 percent!  This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/G-j0xPXHLv8   To do disability rating math: www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings   Forms mentioned in this episode: Exam for aid and attendance: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-2680/ Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review -  https://www.va.gov/f...

In today's episode, Ed discusses the importance of knowing your effective date when filing a claim and the most common errors that can occur. He explains how to locate your effective date and how frequently individuals miss out on back payments when their effective date is incorrect. Additionally, he provides guidance on what steps you can take to rectify the situation and what forms to fill out....

Welcome back to VA Made Easy! In today's episode, Ed discusses the importance of using only accredited representatives for your VA claims. He highlights five reasons why using unaccredited representatives should be avoided, including the legal ramifications, illegal charging of veterans, non-adherence to VA standards, poor quality of service, and lack of resources available to unaccredited represe...

In today's episode, Ed walks through a case study that is a good example of when you can skip your VA-appointed exam when they are likely looking to deny your claim based on negative evidence. He uses his experience when the VA requests multiple exams for one case and the outcomes. He walks through the positives and negatives of going to an exam and provides resources to help along the way.   Form...

In this episode, Ed stresses the importance of Buddy Statements in case the VA denies your claim. He provides a few examples where Buddy Statements have been successful and points out the crucial components that make a Buddy Statement effective. Furthermore, he offers several resources in the video to assist you in preparing a strong Buddy Statement. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be...

Has the Board of Veterans Appeals denied your appeal? Don't give up. In this episode, Ed guides you through five options to consider when the VA denies your appeal. Ed not only breaks down these options but also offers valuable links to resources throughout the video. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7yD1ISkYR88   VA forms mentioned: To provide new evidence after denial use Form 20-...

Have you been denied a claim due to negative evidence or a request for a third exam? In this episode, Ed discusses some helpful tips to prevent this from happening and how you can fight against negative evidence. Additionally, he provides various resources that can assist you in the process. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DT5krqAvcDk   www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov - M21-1 https://www.va....

Veterans will commonly have diagnosis for more than one mental health condition. VA benefits for these conditions can be filed for separately or together. Ed discusses the issues with separating these conditions and one exception when separation is actually advisable.   This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jugvju5MHoQ     If you're looking for more help, please schedule a consultation: https:...

You got an Other than Honorable discharge and the VA says you don't qualify for benefits? In this episode, Ed breaks down the myths behind OTH and how to fight back and become qualified.   This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-kw4IJyPqIM     If you're looking for more help, please schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/vetlawoffice    You can also find more information about my practic...

Ed dives into the topic of 0% ratings in VA disability claims. Learn the three main benefits of 0%, and how to get the VA to re-evaluate your claim down the road.   This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_1nFtXxOplM     VA Forms from this episode: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-10206/     If you're looking for more help, please schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/vetlawof...

Ed breaks down how to speed up your VA claim, both at the Regional Office and with the Board of Veterans' Affairs   This episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/ajsBuLN2V4Y     VA Forms from this video: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-10207/     If you're looking for more help, please schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/vetlawoffice    You can also find more information about m...