Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

How does a fugitive felon status or incarceration impact a veteran’s VA benefits? In this episode, CCK Law breaks down VA’s definition of a fugitive felon, the consequences of outstanding felony warrants, and the steps veterans need to resolve this status. We also discuss how incarceration can affect VA benefits, including reductions in payment and family apportionment options. Tune in to learn mo...

Many veterans struggle with the slow VA claims process. In this episode, CCK Law discusses how veterans can expedite their VA claims. We also offer some tips to help veterans avoid delays—even if they don’t qualify for expedited status. There are seven ways veterans can qualify for expedited processing, and we get into the specific of each. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our we...

In this episode, learn about the most common reasons disabled veterans lose their 100% TDIU VA ratings and what they can do to avoid this happening. We’ll discuss situations where veterans can continue working despite having a TDIU rating and situations where they cannot. Additionally, we talk about the steps veterans can take when VA proposes to reduce a rating. Tune in to learn more! For more in...

A New York Times investigation revealed that veterans who served in artillery units in 2016 are now dealing with unforeseen health issues. These issues include insomnia, chronic confusion, and others. In this episode, we discuss what veterans need to know about artillery blasts and related issues, such as TBIs. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠...

When filing a VA claim for sleep apnea, veterans will need a nexus connecting the condition to an event in service. This can come in the form of a nexus letter, which is a written opinion from a competent medical professional detailing that your disability is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. In this episode, we’ll discuss the steps veterans should take to secure a ne...

There are over 455 military bases with confirmed contamination from AFFF, or “aqueous film forming foam.” Veterans who served at these locations might face health risks, including exposure to PFAS, or forever chemicals. In this episode, we explore how this exposure affects eligibility for VA disability benefits. We also talk about the current need for individual service connection proof. Additiona...

In this episode, we discuss if VA benefits last for a lifetime or if they can change. Learn how and when VA might reduce or take away disability benefits. We talk about process the process behind reexaminations (C&P exams), and how they could lead to changes in the disability rating. We also discuss the VA 5-, 10-, and 20-year rules, and more. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠c...

In this episode, we discuss why the VA process disability claims and appeals takes so long. We discuss the top reasons behind these VA claim delays. We also share some tips on how veterans can speed up their claims. This can include avoiding simple mistakes like missing deadlines to bigger issues on VA’s side, like backlogs. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠c...

In this episode, we discuss the VA 70/40 Rule. We’ll discuss how having a combined rating of at least 70%, with at least one of the conditions rated 40% or higher, can help veterans get a 100% VA disability rating through TDIU. We will discuss the 70/40 rule, how much veterans can expect to receive under a 100% rating, and what happens if a veteran doesn’t meet the 70/40 rule criteria. Tune in to...

Can VA disability benefits be garnished? In this episode, we discuss what protections exist for VA disability benefits and the circumstances that could lead to garnishment. Although VA benefits are typically protected from garnishment, there is an exception for veterans with military retirement pay. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us...

In this episode, we discuss lay evidence in veterans’ VA Claims. Specifically, we touch on tips surrounding lay statements, also called “lay evidence,” “buddy letters,” or “statement in support of claim.” Understanding these pieces of evidence will help veterans effectively utilize lay evidence in support of their claim. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-l...

In this episode, we discuss the evidence-gathering stage of the VA claim process. We will talk about what happens during the evidence-gathering phase, explain VA’s duty to assist, evidence veterans can submit to support their case, and what happens after this phase. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, we discuss some situations where medical evidence may not be necessary when proving a VA claim. We talk about evidence—such as buddy letters or notes from your current doctor—that can help fill the gap left by missing service records. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠htt...

What idoes it mean when your VA disability claim is listed as "under review?" If you’ve checked your VA claim status and seen this, it’s one of the first steps in the process. We’ll explain how the VA assigns your claim to a Veteran Service Representative (VSR) who evaluates your case and what to expect in terms of wait times. Additionally, we’ll guide you through how to check your claim’s status,...

In this episode, we discuss how veteran can prove their VA disability claims when their service treatment records are missing. The absence of medical evidence from service time poses an obstacle for veterans, but it doesn’t mean they still can’t secure their benefits. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠...

In this episode, we discuss the VA benefits a veteran may qualify for with a 70% VA disability rating. We will talk about the 70% VA disability pay rate, VA healthcare eligibility, the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program, and other benefits veterans may qualify for. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTu...

In this episode, we discuss whether VA can reduce or terminate a disability rating. We will talk about the circumstances under which VA may stop or reduce a VA rating and what veterans can do if this occurs. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/CCKYTL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, we discuss what to expect during a C&P exam for arthritis. We’ll cover VA service connection for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, what C&P examiners look for, how arthritis severity is measured, and what to mention if you’re in pain to get the right rating. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on s...

Dental conditions can yield significant VA disability ratings. In this episode, we discuss the VA rating system for dental conditions, specific dental conditions and their ratings, cancerous tumors of the mouth and jaw, and more. Tune in to learn about dental disabilities and VA compensation! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTub...

In this episode, we discuss the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. This is passed each year and includes new laws for Veterans and service members. We discuss these new laws and how they may impact VA disability benefits, other veteran’ benefits, and service members. Tune in to learn more about the 2024 NDAA! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on...

In this episode, we discuss the types of sleep apnea, the critical role of medical evidence, lay evidence, and more. Sleep apnea is a common service-connected condition among veterans and can qualify for a 100% VA disability rating of severe. Tune in to learn what you need to set your sleep apnea VA claim up for success! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us...

In this episode, we discuss the top 5 VA disability mistakes we see as VA disability lawyers. These mistakes include misunderstanding service connection criteria, delaying filing a VA claim, missing VA correspondence and deadlines, and others. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit...

In this episode, we discuss Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. Key topics we talk about include how TDIU benefits allow veterans to be rated 100 percent, how veterans can apply for these benefits, the differences between “schedular” and “extraschedular” TDIU, and more. Tune in to learn more about TDIU! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ F...

In this episode, we discuss three types of evidence veterans can use to increase their VA rating. We will discuss medical records, lay evidence, and employer records. Additionally, we will talk about increased rating claims so that veterans can learn how to demonstrate a worsening of their service-connected condition. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law....

What does it mean when your VA claim status reads “Pending Decision Approval and Preparation for Notification”? If a veteran’s claim is at the Pending Decision Approval or Preparing for Notification step, this is generally a good sign. It means that the decision process is nearing completion. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on soc...