Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

Certain mental health conditions are considered “high value claims” because veterans have a high likelihood of getting at least a 30% VA rating. Tune in to learn about high value mental health VA claims, evidence you need to win your case, common secondary disabilities to mental health conditions, and more. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, is a formal application for VA disability benefits. Veterans are required to submit this form to start the VA claims process for service-connected compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to fill out Form 21-526EZ, what information you will need, where to send the form, and more! For more informat...

Many veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War developed unexplained illnesses and symptoms collectively referred to as Gulf War Illness or Gulf War Syndrome. VA has since created a Gulf War Presumption for these veterans. Join the CCK team as we review VA’s Gulf War Presumption, discuss important updates, and talk through changes made by the PACT Act. Tune in for this informative update! For mo...

Join the CCK team as we discuss a Vietnam veteran who sought our help in securing an earlier effective date for his service-connected coronary artery disease following a Board of Veterans’ Appeals denial. Tune in to learn more about the Board denial and how we argued the case. We will also review the CAVC appeal process and the outcome for the veteran. Don’t miss out on this exciting update! For m...

Ultimately, a higher disability rating means a greater amount of monthly compensation. Veterans whose VA ratings are too low or whose conditions have worsened since their initial disability rating may seek an increased disability rating. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to increase your VA disability rating, tips for securing a higher rating, and more! For more information, visit our website at...

The 2022 PACT Act expands VA disability benefits and health care coverage for toxic-exposed veterans. Veterans who qualify for benefits under the PACT Act can file a claim in the same way they would for any other claim. However, many veterans still face denials on their PACT Act claims. Join the CCK team to learn how to appeal a denied PACT Act claim. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠...

Are you wondering what happens to your VA benefits after death? On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team explains what happens to VA payments when a veteran passes away. We also review types of benefits available for surviving dependents of disabled veterans, such as DIC, pension, accrued benefits, DEA, and more. Tune in for more information! For more information, visit our website...

While there are numerous conditions for which a veteran may be service connected, some disabilities are more common than others. Join the CCK team as we discuss the most common conditions among veterans in Fiscal Year 2022, according to VA’s Annual Benefits Report. We will also review VA’s disability ratings for these conditions. Tune in for more information! For more information, visit our websit...

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two of the most common mental health conditions among veterans. VA rates both conditions using VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Join this CCK team as we discuss VA’s ratings for depression and PTSD. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You...

CCK argued at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims on behalf of a veteran client who was seeking entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team reviews the veteran’s case and discusses how CCK helped him successfully appeal the decision after he received a Board denial. Tune in to hear the full story. For mo...

The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, is a policy and spending bill for the Department of Defense that passes through Congress every year. This year's bill includes several provisions that will impact servicemembers and veterans, including military pay raises, housing benefits, childcare programs, military justice reforms, health care improvements, and more. Join the CCK team as we...

VA offers several survivors benefits to dependent spouses, children, and parents of military veterans who have passed away.  VA survivor benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), accrued benefits, survivors’ pension, and more.  Tune in to this week’s episode of the Veterans Legal Lowdown to learn about mistakes claimants make when filing VA survivors benefits claims and how to...

Filing secondary claims can help veterans reach a higher level of VA compensation.  As with any VA claim, some conditions tend to receive higher ratings than others.  On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is reviewing the most commonly filed high value secondary claims.  Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us...

Disability Benefits Questionnaires, or DBQs, are downloadable forms created for veterans’ use in the evaluation process for VA disability benefits.  Specifically, DBQs are intended to give veterans more control over the disability claims process.  Join the CCK team as we discuss how to use DBQ forms in VA claims.  Don’t miss out on this informative update! For more information, visit our website a...

VA rates migraine headaches from 0 to 50 percent, with criteria based on severity and frequency of the migraines.  On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is discussing how to get a 50 percent rating for migraines.  We review valuable types of evidence for migraine claims, including lay statements and medical opinions.  Be sure to listen to this informative episode! For more information, vi...

VA disability back pay is the monies owed to veterans from the effective date of their claim to the date they were granted those benefits.  Due to its backlog of disability compensation claims, VA can often take months or years to grant benefits.  On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is reviewing how to calculate back pay.  Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website a...

VA adjudicators tend to give a lot of weight to Compensation and Pension exams when deciding veterans’ claims.  This means that a negative or unfavorable exam can severely impact a veteran’s likelihood of winning a grant of benefits.  Join the CCK team as we discuss the best ways to refute an unfavorable C&P exam.  Tune in for this important update! For more information, visit our website at ⁠...

VA may deny disability benefits for a variety of reasons, but some are more common than others. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK has identified the most common causes of denied claims.  Whether seeking VA service connection or an increased VA rating, disabled veterans can make small errors that could result in a denied VA claim.  Be sure to tune in to learn what these mistakes are an...

A secondary service-connected condition is one that results from an already service-connected condition. A number of the presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure can cause secondary conditions. Join the CCK team as we review the most common secondary conditions to Agent Orange exposure. Be sure to tune in for this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at...

Knee pain is one of the most prevalent conditions among veterans, and many veterans experience secondary conditions related to their knee pain. Filing for secondary service connection for these conditions can qualify veterans for a higher VA rating and therefore more VA disability compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss the most common secondary conditions to knee pain, and how they are rela...

Filing a claim for PTSD benefits from VA can be confusing and complicated. Consequently, many veterans make mistakes that can delay their benefits or even result in a denial. Join the CCK team as we review 5 of the top mistakes veterans make when filing VA claims for PTSD and how these mistakes can be avoided. Tune in to hear this important information! For more information, visit our website at c...

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team explains how to win VA claims for anxiety. We review how to establish direct or secondary service connection for anxiety and what to expect during a C&P exam. We also discuss how VA rates anxiety and how to appeal an unfavorable VA decision. Tune in to hear this important information! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com...

The VA claims process can be complicated, and there are many requirements veterans must meet. This includes providing evidence, submitting the correct forms, attending C&P exams, securing medical records, and more. Join the CCK team as we discuss our top tips for winning your VA claim. Don’t miss out on this informative update! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us o...

Join the CCK team as we discuss how CCK's VA disability lawyers secured over 25 years of back pay benefits for an Army widow seeking DIC.  After VA denied her DIC benefits, she reopened the claim years later and VA conceded that the veteran’s death was related to Agent Orange exposure in Thailand. However, when she sought an earlier effective date, VA discontinued her benefits entirely. &nbsp...

For VA disability claims, a presumption can work in two ways: proving exposure to harmful toxins during service or linking a disability to service. Join the CCK team as we review VA’s criteria for presumptive claims. We will discuss VA’s presumption of exposure, presumption of service connection, and how to file a presumptive claim. Be sure to tune in to this informative episode! For more informat...