Most Recent Blog Posts
Calling Out to End Racism.
This article was written by Yalitza Ledgister of the law firm of Attig | Curran | Steel, PLLC (I'm told a link to Yalitza's bio is coming soon). In June 2020, I promised that, in an effort to take a step towards ending the systematic oppression of Black veterans, I...
Learn about the different types of VA claims under the AMA.
A veteran was once able to file different types of VA claims in the legacy claims and appeals system, and they generally fit into two categories. One category encompassed VA claims recognized by the VA: new claims, claims for increased rating, and reopened claims. A...
5 things to know about the new AMA Notice of Disagreement rules.
Used to be the only way to challenge a VA rating decision was to file a Notice of Disagreement. Effective February 2019, though, the VA appeals system changed with the passage of the Appeals Improvement Modernization Act (AMA). Now, the "ins-and-outs" of filing the...
VA apportionment rules allow split of a veteran’s disability compensation.
What is VA Apportionment? Although Congress has done a pretty thorough job of protecting veterans benefits from assignment or garnishing, VA apportionment is one way that Congress specifically allowed this veil to be peirced. VA disability compensation is not taxable,...
What is a REAL veteran?
When the Veterans Law Blog® started in 2007, there was nothing like it. I was the only lawyer teaching veterans - on a blog - how to improve and hopefully win their VA claims and appeals. Thirteen years later, this blog reaches hundreds of thousands of veterans every...
The Black Hero.
This article was written by Yalitza Ledgister of the law firm of Attig | Curran | Steel, PLLC (I'm told a link to Yalitza's bio is coming soon). In June 2020, I promised that, in an effort to take a step towards ending the systematic oppression of Black veterans, I...
UPDATE: COVID, Coronavirus and VA claims and appeals deadlines
More to follow on this document....for right now, I wanted to just get it out there to ya'll. If you missed - or may miss - certain types of VA deadlines in your claims and appeals due to COVID or coronavirus, this document addresses how the VA will handle those...
SMC-T: VA Disability Special Monthly Compensation for some veterans with a TBI.
What is SMC? To understand SMC T, you must first understand VA Special monthly compensation (SMC). To understand SMC, you must understand the basic principle behind the rating aspect of a VA disability claim. Typically, when your condition is "rated" - i.e., assigned...
