The PACT Act of 2022 is a milestone in veterans’ legislation. This new law aims to ensure millions of veterans and survivors receive expanded health care and VA benefits for toxic exposure regarding burn pits, herbicides, contaminated water, and other exposure hazards. The bill was passed on August 10, 2022. It expands veterans’ health […]
Can You Collect Long Term Disability and Social Security?
Individuals who are unable to work due to a disability can collect long term benefits from a private disability insurance plan as well as Social Security. The process of qualifying for those benefits, however, is not automatic. Applicants must often satisfy strict criteria to verify that their health issues fall within the definition of “disabled” […]
Can I Be Terminated While on Long Term Disability?
Your long term disability benefits will replace a portion of your regular wages that you can no longer earn. Those benefits and your disability status will generally not prevent your employer from terminating your job. However, it becomes more complicated if your employer terminates you for an improper reason or at the wrong time during […]
5 Reasons You Need a Long-Term Disability Lawyer
When you become disabled, you might be tempted to handle your claim independently. That’s usually a mistake. Many people wait until their disability claim has been denied before obtaining legal counsel. A long-term disability insurance attorney at Marc Whitehead & Associates can help you navigate the complexities of the filing process. We serve clients nationwide, […]
Can Long Term Disability be Garnished?
If you have a long term disability that is serious enough to qualify you for Social Security disability benefits, you do not need the additional stress of worrying that your benefits can be garnished by a creditor. Fortunately, federal laws, rules, and regulations preclude private creditors from seizing these benefits. However, the application of those […]
2023 VA Disability Pay Rates – Disabled Vets to Get 8.7% Increase
Disabled veterans are due to receive the most significant VA compensation rate increase in over 30 years. The 2023 VA disability pay rates include a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase of 8.7% to match the Social Security benefit rate increase. VA disability compensation is a benefit payment for veterans who suffered injury or illness […]
What are the Most Common VA Disability Claims?
The most common disability claim filed with Veterans Affairs is tinnitus, which refers to ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears or head. But with nearly 5.2 million veterans receiving VA compensation and over 600,000 pending claims, tinnitus is far from the only disability the VA commonly encounters. Moreover, veterans who can no longer […]
Your VA Disability Decision Letter Matters
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, our veteran disability attorneys thoroughly understand the VA’s rules, including the critical importance of your VA Disability Decision Letter. We have decades of experience and respect the challenges you face. You won’t have to travel to our office–everything can be done remotely. Our compassionate staff will work hard as they […]
Benefits for Veterans with Other than Honorable Discharge
If you served our country and now suffer from a service-related disability, you may be entitled to benefits–even if your discharge was not characterized as honorable. In general, VA benefits do not require an honorable discharge but an other than honorable discharge. Unfortunately, many veterans lose out on critical benefits because they mistakenly believe they […]
Diseases Caused by Agent Orange Exposure
In the years since the Vietnam War, many veterans have been diagnosed with diseases and medical conditions linked to Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used by the military to clear leaves and vegetation. From cancer to hypertension, these health conditions can be serious. If you have been exposed to Agent Orange, it […]