Blogs

A: The majority of initial claims are denied and sadly, most claimants become discouraged and do not appeal the VA’s decision. No special form is required to begin the appeal process. All that is needed initially is a written statement that you disagree with the...

A: Typically, you would file your appeal with the same office (VA Regional Office (RO) or medical facility) that issued the decision you are appealing because that is where your claims file is kept. However, if you have moved and your claims file is now...

A: According to the law, the death of an appellant generally ends the appellant's appeal. So, if an appellant dies, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) normally dismisses the appeal without issuing a decision. However, the rights of a deceased appellant's survivors...

A: Typically, an administrative law judge (ALJ) will decide cases based on the medical evidence in the file - this includes x-rays and other imaging exams, lab panels, treatment notes, and written statements from the claimant and the claimant's treating physicians. In...

A: In most cases, the Social Security Administration will not gather additional records on your behalf once your claim has been sent to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (also known as ODAR or the Office of Hearings and Appeals). Your...

A: A disabled veteran receiving disability benefits and other compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may become unable to manage these benefits alone. When a veteran is declared incompetent in managing their VA benefits the department will...

A: The VA evaluates service-connected injuries in increments of 10 percent. They examine the medical evidence you've submitted with your claim and then assign a “rating”. The maximum disability rating percentage is 100%; however, most conditions receive a rating below...