Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

Ankle injuries, which are fairly common among veterans, can lead to the development of other issues, such as with the feet or knees. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses several ankle conditions commonly experienced by veterans. We will also explain how to get service connection, how VA rates each ankle condition, and more. Tune in for this important update! For more i...

Veterans experience a range of back disabilities related to their military service. The most common ones include lumbosacral or cervical strains, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome. Join the CCK team as we discuss how VA rates back pain for disability compensation purposes. We will also review secondary conditions to back pain, TDIU, C&...

Veterans often experience certain medical conditions at higher rates due to events that occurred during military service. On this week’s episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses the top 20 most common VA disability claims and how VA rates each condition. From sleep apnea and tinnitus to PTSD and anxiety, we will review it all. Tune in to catch all the important details. For more i...

National Guard and Reserve members who receive discharges other than dishonorable are eligible for certain VA benefits. These benefits include disability compensation, pension, home loans, health benefits, education benefits, insurance, and more. Join CCK as we discuss each benefit in detail and eligibility criteria for National Guard and Reserve members. Tune in now to learn more! For more inform...

There are a number of different benefits available to surviving dependents of veterans, such as compensation, pension, health care, insurance coverage, burial allowance, and more. Join the CCK team as we break down the most common death and burial benefits, as well as how to apply and prove eligibility for each one. Tune in to catch all the important details! For more information, visit our websit...

Tune in to hear the CCK team discuss VA disability compensation for TBI and PTSD.  TBI usually results from an injury to the head causing brain dysfunction, while PTSD occurs due to experiencing a distressing, shocking, or otherwise traumatic event.  On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, we will review how TBI and PTSD are connected, overlapping symptoms, and VA ratings. Don’t miss...

Due to the Blue Water Navy Act, thousands of Blue Water Navy veterans are newly eligible for disability benefits related to presumed Agent Orange exposure. However, a recent investigation by the VA Inspector General’s Office found that many of these claims are being incorrectly reviewed. Join the CCK team as we discuss how VA is addressing the issues and what veterans can do if they have been impa...

Exposure to hazardous toxins and harmful environmental conditions during the Persian Gulf War caused veterans to develop numerous health conditions. Gulf War Syndrome, also known as Gulf War Illness, is a term used to characterize the wide range of symptoms and conditions resulting from the exposure. Join the CCK team as we discuss VA presumptives for Gulf War Syndrome, how VA adjudicates Gulf War...

A 100 percent disability rating is typically reserved for veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected conditions. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses several different ways veterans can obtain a 100 percent rating. From schedular ratings and TDIU to permanent and total disability ratings, we will review it all. Tune in to learn more! For more information, v...

Agent Orange was one of several herbicides used during the Vietnam War era. The highly toxic chemicals in Agent Orange often take years to break down and can cause a wide array of health effects. On today’s episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses the effects of Agent Orange, presumptive service connection for Agent Orange, and more. For more information, visit our website at cck-...

Join the CCK team as we discuss everything to look out for when choosing a VA lawyer or representative. Some of these red flags include VA representatives who charge fees based on future benefits or request fees upfront. VA representatives are also not allowed to mislead you about your benefits or rights. Tune in to hear the CCK team explain all these red flags and more. For more information, visi...

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses disability ratings for hip pain. Hip pain, which is fairly common among veterans, can cause a variety of additional problems and complications. To be awarded VA disability compensation, hip pain must result in functional impairment or loss. Tune in as the CCK team breaks down how hip pain is rated by VA, common causes of hip pain, a...

E-Benefits is a secure web portal created by VA and the Department of Defense allowing veterans, servicemembers, and their families self-service capabilities in managing VA and military benefits. On this week’s episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses why it is important to keep eBenefits information private and how to identify red flags. Don’t miss out on this important update! F...

VA offers a variety of lesser-known benefits to veterans, including burial benefits, non-college degree programs and certificates, special restorative and vocational training, student loan forgiveness, Aid and Attendance, life insurance, and many more. Join the CCK team as they discuss what these benefits are and how to qualify. Be sure to tune in for this important update! For more information, v...

VA has announced that Veterans diagnosed with chronic asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis within 10 years of a qualifying period of service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas will have their disability claims processed on a presumptive basis. Join us as we take you through the specifics of VA's new policy, how this affects Veterans exposed to burn pits, which Veterans can benefit, and implicati...

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team discusses Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams for mental health. In a mental health C&P exam, the examiner will evaluate how the veteran’s mental health condition affects their daily life. Tune in to learn about VA’s mental health rating formula, what a C&P examiner will ask a veteran about their condition, tips for attending the...

Adjustment disorder occurs when a person has great difficulty coping with a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. Often, it involves symptoms of anxiety, such as excessive worrying, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, and restlessness. Tune in as the CCK team discusses how to establish service connection, how VA rates adjustment disorder, and more. For more info...

Migraines are a form of intense headache that can last for many hours and are very common among veterans. Join the CCK team as we discuss common secondary conditions to migraines and how VA rates these conditions. From possible symptoms and causes of migraines to tips on how to file a claim for secondary service connection, we will review it all! For more information, visit our website at cck-law....

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted throughout the night. Tune in to hear the CCK team discuss VA ratings for sleep apnea and how to win a sleep apnea VA claim. From common symptoms of sleep apnea to tips on proving service connection, we will review it all. Join us to catch all the details! For more information, visit our web...

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team is diving into the topic of nexus letters. A nexus letter is a document that connects a veteran’s in-service event to their current disabling condition. Tune in as we discuss what a strong nexus letter should include, how to find a competent and qualified doctor, how much a nexus letter should cost, and more! For more information, visit our w...

PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur following a distressing, shocking, or traumatic experience. Common among veterans, PTSD often leads to secondary disabilities, including sleep apnea, migraines, depression and anxiety, high blood pressure, and more. Join the CCK team as we discuss common secondary conditions to PTSD and their VA ratings. Tune in today to learn more! For more informa...

On this week’s episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team breaks down everything to do with non-compensable VA ratings. VA assigns non-compensable ratings to veterans who have a service-connected condition but do not experience any symptoms, or to veterans who experience symptoms not severe enough to warrant a higher rating. Tune in to learn why 0 percent ratings are still important, what VA...

Tune in to hear the CCK team discuss VA benefits for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. Allergic rhinitis is a response to breathing in specific allergens, while chronic sinusitis occurs when sinuses remain swollen and inflamed for three months or longer. From ways to prove service connection to possible VA ratings, we will review it all. Join us to learn more! For more information, visit ou...

TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability, allows veterans who are unable to work due to their severe PTSD to receive VA compensation at the 100 percent level. Check out this week’s episode to hear the CCK team break down how to win TDIU benefits for PTSD. We will cover the requirements for schedular and extraschedular TDIU, the importance of vocational opinions, and more! For...

Listen to this week’s episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown to learn all about VA claims files, also known as C-files. A C-file is a collection of records relevant to a veteran’s disability claim, which VA stores on a compact disc. Join the CCK team as we go through all the documents that may be included in your C-file and how to get a copy. Don’t miss out – tune in today! For more information, visit...