Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is a piece of legislation that, if passed, will provide improved benefits and health care to veterans suffering from toxic exposure. Join the CCK team as we break down each section of the PACT Act and discuss its implications for toxic-exposed veterans. Don’t miss out on this important episode! For more information, visit our webs...

As most veterans are aware, there continue to be massive delays in the processing of VA claims and appeals. Because of this immense backlog, VA can often take months or years to grant benefits. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses how VA disability attorneys can help you develop a stronger claim or appeal to get a more favorable decision the first time around.  Be...

The process of appealing to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) can be very difficult to navigate on one’s own. For this reason, it is most often in a veteran’s best interest to hire a qualified, experienced representative. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to choose the right attorney to represent you before the CAVC. Tune in to catch all the important details! For more information,...

On February 15, VA announced proposed changes to the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). In particular, these changes would impact veterans seeking disability benefits for sleep apnea, tinnitus, and mental health conditions. Join the CCK team as we discuss the rating changes and how they will affect veterans’ monthly compensation. Don’t miss out on this important episode! For more informatio...

Compensation and pension exams are used by VA to determine if a veteran’s condition is connected to their military service, as well as to evaluate the severity of that condition. Join the CCK team as we explain how veterans can tell if their C&P exam went well and share our advice for combating an unfavorable exam. You won’t want to miss this! For more information, visit our website at cck-law...

Disability Benefits Questionnaires, or DBQs, are downloadable forms created for veterans’ use in the evaluation process for VA disability benefits. DBQs are intended to speed up the processing of claims and give veterans more control over the process. Join the CCK team as we discuss how DBQs work, where to find them, and other important information. Be sure to tune in for this informative update!...

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team is breaking down the recent Supreme Court case regarding VA’s understanding and application of “clear and unmistakable error.” Tune is as we review the case and discuss the question: When VA denies a veteran’s claim based on an interpretation that is later deemed invalid, is that considered “clear and unmistakable error” that the veteran may...

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is the appellate body of VA and can overrule a decision made by a VA Regional Office. Following an unfavorable Board decision, veterans have two options to appeal: submit a Supplemental Claim or appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to appeal to the CAVC. Be sure to tune in for this important update! For more informat...

Kidney disease can impact the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure, filter waste, and can cause serious health problems. There are several types of kidney conditions, including acute kidney failure, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal failure. Join the CCK team as we discuss how VA rates each kidney condition, the connection between diabetes and kidney disease, A...

A veteran’s service-connected disability is deemed “permanent” when VA is reasonably certain, based on medical evidence, that the level of impairment will continue for the rest of the veteran’s life. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to know when your VA disability rating is permanent. We also review situations in which VA can reduce a rating and other types of protected disability ratings. Tune...

Wrist injuries, such as sprains and fractures, often result in wrist pain. Veterans commonly experience wrist injuries and pain as a direct result of their military service. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team is discussing some of the most common wrist conditions among veterans and how VA rates them. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more information, visit our w...

A compensation and pension (C&P) exam is a medical exam ordered by VA to evaluate the condition(s) a veteran is claiming for disability compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss several important things to keep in mind before, after, and during a C&P exam. We offer tips on preparing for the exam, advice on how to accurately report symptoms, and more. Tune in to catch all the important...

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, or the CAVC, is a federal court with jurisdiction over decisions made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Tune in as the CCK team reviews the entire CAVC process and timeline. We also discuss how much a CAVC appeal costs, the benefits of hiring an attorney, and how to appeal an unfavorable CAVC decision. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more...

Permanent and Total disability, or P&T, refers to veterans whose disabilities are rated 100 percent disabling by VA and have zero or close to zero chance of improvement. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to determine eligibility for a permanent and total disability rating, when VA can reduce a P&T rating, and additional benefits available to veterans with P&T ratings. Don’t miss out...

The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, is a Department of Defense policy and spending bill that passes through Congress every year.  The 2022 NDAA includes several provisions that will greatly benefit veterans and servicemembers. Join the CCK team as we discuss the new NDAA provisions and what they mean for the future of VA benefits. Don’t miss out on this important update! For more...

A gynecological condition is one that affects the female reproductive organs. Women veterans who are coping with service-related gynecological conditions may qualify for VA disability benefits. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to establish service connection for gynecological conditions, compensation and pension exams, and VA disability ratings for gynecological conditions. Tune in to learn mor...

Thyroid conditions are common among veterans, especially in those who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. Join the CCK team as we review VA disability ratings and benefits for thyroid conditions. We also discuss presumptive service connection for thyroid conditions based on Agent Orange exposure and other military toxic exposures. Don’t miss out on this important update! For...

A VA award letter is issued when a decision has been made regarding a veteran’s claim for benefits. Specifically, this letter indicates a veteran’s disability rating(s) along with the corresponding amount of monthly compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to read and understand your VA award letter, how to appeal an unfavorable VA decision, and more. Tune in to catch all the important de...

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that affects the large intestine.  Join the CCK team as we discuss VA disability ratings for IBS and how to establish service connection. We also review symptoms and risk factors, C&P exams, presumptions for Gulf War veterans, and MUCMIs. Be sure to tune in for this important update! For more information, visit our...

The Veterans Health Administration provides services such as primary care, vision and hearing, dental care, mental health services, and more. Generally, to qualify, veterans must have served in the active military and be service-connected for a qualifying condition. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to enroll and the eligibility requirements and benefits for each priority group. Tune in for this...

VA-accredited representatives are individuals recognized by VA as legally authorized and capable of assisting claimants in pursuit of VA benefits. The accreditation program exists to ensure that veterans and their family members receive adequate, informed representation. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses several things veterans should be on the lookout for when seek...

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. It is one of the most common mental health issues that veterans face, and it can have long-term effects on their well-being. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to establish service connection for depression. We will also review VA disability ratings for depression and how to secure TDIU. For mor...

A 100 percent disability rating, or total disability rating, is the highest percentage that can be given for service-connected compensation purposes. This rating is reserved for veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected conditions.  Join the CCK team as we discuss the different ways in which a veteran can obtain a 100 percent rating. Be sure to tune in for this informative update...

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and acts.  It is common for veterans suffering from service-connected depression to develop a secondary condition or conditions as a result. Join the CCK team as we discuss common VA secondary conditions to depression, how to qualify for secondary service connection, and VA ratings for these condition...

Caregivers play an important role in the health and well-being of veterans. The Caregiver Program, or Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, was established to provide benefits to caregivers of post-9/11 disabled veterans. Join the CCK team as we discuss these benefits, eligibility for the Caregiver Program, how to apply, and tips for getting approved. Tune in to learn more! For more info...