Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

There are many veterans who experience conditions that worsen over time. These conditions may also fluctuate, but these “bad days” are not always reflected during a C&P exam or within a VA disability rating. Understanding how VA evaluates flare-ups can make a real difference. In this episode, CCK Law breaks down what veterans should know about flare-ups, including how they factor into VA disabilit...

Many veterans believe that retirement disqualifies them from Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), but that is not what VA law says. In this episode, CCK Law Partner Brad Hennings explains how VA evaluates TDIU eligibility under 38 CFR § 4.16, why retirement status does not automatically disqualify a veteran, and how factors like functional limitations, marginal employment,...

Many veterans approaching age 65 wonder how VA disability benefits and Medicare interact and whether enrolling in one affects the other. In this episode, CCK Law partner Brad Hennings explains how these two federal systems work together, address common misconceptions veterans hear about losing benefits, and highlights why understanding the relationship between VA disability compensation, VA health...

CCK Law's Maura Black and Ethan Muckelbauer break down essential VA claim tips every veteran should know, including the five primary ways to establish service connection, how to understand confusing VA terms like nexus and presumptive service connection, and practical strategies for gathering the strongest evidence to support your VA disability claim. Our attorneys also explain how VA math works,...

There are many common terms that veterans can encounter during the VA disability claim and appeal process. Some of these terms, however, can be confusing. Understanding these concepts can help veterans navigate the process and recognize how VA evaluates their claims. In this episode, CCK Law Partner Maura Black is joined by Lead Advocate Ethan Muckelbauer to discuss some of these terms, including...

Is there more than one way to establish service connection for VA disability benefits? Yes. In this video, CCK Law Partner Maura Black is joined by Lead Advocate Ethan Muckelbauer to explain the 5 ways veterans can establish service connection when seeking VA disability benefits. These pathways include direct service connection, secondary service connection, presumptive service connection, and oth...

A major federal court decision just changed how VA must apply Special Monthly Compensation. In this episode, CCK Law partner Brad Hennings discusses Barry v. McDonough, in which the Federal Circuit made clear that VA cannot automatically limit veterans to a single intermediate SMC rate increase. For veterans with multiple severe service-connected disabilities, this could mean higher monthly compen...

Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability — or TDIU — is a VA benefit that pays veterans at the 100% disability rate when their service-connected conditions prevent substantially gainful employment. In this episode, CCK Law partners Emma Peterson and Christine Clemens break down TDIU and walk through the two main paths veterans can take to obtain this important benefit. They also cover...

Many veterans believe that retirement means the end of their VA disability compensation. Many also believe that receiving retirement income will automatically disqualify them from VA benefits. In this episode, CCK Law Founding Partner Robert Chisholm explains why this isn’t true. He discusses how VA disability compensation interacts with Social Security retirement, military retired pay, the “VA Of...

The House of Representatives has passed a new bill that could eventually affect how long veterans wait for VA appeal decisions. It is called the "Veterans Law Judge Experience Act.” In this episode, CCK Law Partner Brad Hennings explains what the bill does, why decision quality matters at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and more. Tune in to learn what this means for veterans! For more information,...

Many veterans believe a Permanent and Total (P&T) VA disability rating can never be reduced. P&T ratings provide strong protection for veterans, but there are, however, some legal situations when VA may still propose a reduction. In this episode, CCK Law Founding Partner Robert Chisholm explained the four main triggers VA relies on to reduce P&T ratings. These triggers include fraud, clear and unm...

VA disability compensation is a complex process, and there are benefits that some veterans may overlook or misunderstand. In this episode of CCK Law's Veterans Legal Lowdown Podcast, Partner Michael Lostritto and Lead Advocate Dallas Aguiar take a closer look at several VA benefits that frequently cause confusion, including special monthly compensation, back pay, dependency benefits, and tinnitus...

Thousands of VA disability claims were approved without proper review, and VA is now reexamining those decisions. Veterans affected by these rubber-stamped claims may face benefit reductions, overpayment notices, or loss of VA disability compensation, including TDIU and Special Monthly Compensation. This episode explains what is happening, the risks involved, and more! For more information, visit...

In 2025, the VA announced a historic reduction in its disability claims backlog, processing millions of compensation and pension claims at a record pace. While faster decisions can mean shorter wait times for veterans, speed does not always equal accuracy. In this episode, CCK Partner Brad Hennings breaks down what the VA’s backlog numbers mean, why high-volume processing can raise concerns, and m...

A denial from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is not always the end of a VA disability claim. In this episode, CCK Law Partner Brad Hennings explains common red flags in BVA decisions that may support an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), including legal and procedural errors that can lead to a remand or reversal. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our websit...

Are you protecting your benefits or putting them at risk when filing for an increased VA disability rating? In this episode, CCK Law Partner Maura Black and Lead Claims Advocate Claire Babcock break down when VA can legally reduce your rating, what “sustained improvement” really means, and how veterans can push back when VA gets it wrong. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our webs...

Are VA disability benefits something the nation is obligated to provide, or are they charity? This is a question that comes up more than some people realize. In this episode, CCK Law Founding Partner Robert Chisholm is joined by Partner Brad Hennings to discuss these questions, why veterans shouldn’t wait to file a VA claim, and more. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ cck-law.com⁠⁠...

Veterans may qualify for more VA disability benefits than they realize. In this episode, CCK Law partners Brad Hennings and Christine Clemens explain 3 major benefit pathways that veterans commonly overlook including secondary service connection, TDIU, and SMC. We explain how these benefits work, who may qualify, and more. Tune in to learn what benefits you may be missing! For more information, vi...

In this episode of The Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK Law partner Emma Peterson is joined by Managing Attorney Alyse Phillips to talk about strategies to maximize veterans’ benefits. They discuss military sexual trauma rules, claims for medical side effects, the VA’s planned updates to sleep apnea and other ratings, and more. Tune to find out what you need to know! For more information, visit our web...

Join us as attorneys reveal crucial strategies for maximizing veteran benefits. In this episode, we cover special monthly compensation (SMC), extraschedular TDIU tactics, clear and unmistakable error (CUE) questions, and insider tips for increased rating claims on orthopedic disabilities. Plus, we answer real veteran questions about obesity secondary conditions, celiac disease service connection,...

In this episode of The Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK Law Partner Emma Peterson and Managing Attorney Mike Lostritto dig into some of the most important issues in veterans law today: how mental health can increase VA disability ratings, why the Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025 raises red flags, and the lesser-known ways that VA accredited lawyer win claims and appeals. Tune in to learn more! F...

CCK's Veterans Legal Lowdown celebrates 100k listeners with a major mid-year VA update. 2025 has been a historic year for VA. In this episode, we cover VA’s $441 billion budget proposal (the biggest ever), recent community care reforms, and the most common service-connected disabilities. Join us as we analyze what these changes mean for veterans! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Veterans who are filing a VA claim for sleep apnea will need a nexus connecting the condition to an in-service event. This can be in the form of a “nexus letter.” A nexus letter is a written opinion from a competent medical professional that details the disability is “at least as likely as not” connected to their military service. In this episode, we discuss the steps veterans should take to secur...

There are over 455 military bases with confirmed PFAS contamination due to using AFFF, or “aqueous film forming form.” Those who served at these locations might face health risks. In this episode, we explore how this exposure affects VA disability eligibility, and we discuss the current need for individual service connection proof. You’ll also learn about a nationwide class action lawsuit and legi...

Ever wonder if your VA disability benefits are for your lifetime or if they can change? In this episode, we discuss how and when VA might reduce or take away your disability benefits. You’ll learn about re-examinations (C&P exams) and how they can lead to changes in your disability rating. We will also discuss protected ratings, including VA’s 20-year rule. Tune in to learn more! For more info...