Most Recent Blog Posts
Episode 5: Accepting the Transgender Veteran.
When I left the Army, I had no concept of what it meant to be transgender, nor did I know of anyone who was "out" as trans. I certainly knew nobody who was a transgender veteran. Years later, my son told us he was a trans-man; I had to learn what that meant in a...
Federal Circuit trashes three VA supplemental claim regulations.
The Federal Circuit has invalidated certain parts of three supplemental claim regulations under the Appeals Modernization Act, or AMA: 38 C.F.R. §14.636(c)(1)(i), 38 C.F.R. §3.2500(b), and 38 C.F.R. §3.155. In doing so, the Federal Circuit explained how these three...
Here’s how to file your appeal with the Veterans Court.
When you get a BVA decision that denies your claim, you’ll want to know these 3 steps to getting your appeal before the Veterans Court.
What did the Court say about the BVA direct review lane under AMA?
The CAVC precedential opinion in Andrews v. McDonough, issued by the Veterans Court on May 28, 2021, is an interesting case, especially because of what it implies about the BVA Direct Review lane. This is a long post, to be sure. But I think this information is...
Embrace the Suck: Get Comfortable and Talk About Suicide
Embrace the Suck EMBRACE THE SUCK is a common phrase used among service members in the U.S Army to describe FUBAR type field training or FUBAR operations. *FUBAR stands for F’d. Up. Beyond. All Recognition. As a woman, veteran, and psychotherapist I’ve come to...
What is the VA appeals modernization process?
In this post, I'd like to provide an overview of the major changes to the VA claims process under "AMA" or the VA Appeals Modernization Act. AMA centers on structural changes to the old VA appeals process, which the VA is now calling the "Legacy VA Appeals process"....
Can you use the Common Law Mailbox Rule to presume the VA received your claim or appeal?
The case of Anania v. McDonough, which deals with the "common law mailbox rule" and its presumption of receipt of properly mailed items, is a big win for veterans. For years, the Veterans Court has strictly limited the availability of the "common law mailbox rule" to...
How do you choose a VA disability attorney?
When you hire a VA Disability Attorney, you want the best for your claim. I’ll show you how to choose the BEST one for YOU.
