The VA Pact Act provides benefits to military veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances, such as open burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, Camp Lejeune contamination, or other hazardous exposures. The VA now suspects exposure to these and other toxic substances may cause several health conditions. Here is a summary of the PACT Act …
Category: Veterans Disability Benefits
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 …
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 …
Applying For VA Disability? Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for VA disability is a complicated process. It is not unusual for an applicant to make mistakes resulting in a denial of the claim. Perhaps the most common mistake is waiting to file. There is no need to wait until your injury or disease becomes serious. The sooner you file, the better. Procrastinating can …
VA Disability Ratings for Kidney Disease
The VA provides benefits to veterans who have become disabled due to a wide range of medical conditions, including kidney disease. To assess your compensation, the VA board will give you a disability rating, but sometimes the rating doesn’t accurately reflect the severity of your kidney disease. What is Kidney Disease? Kidney disease is the …
The Nexus Letter – Proving Service Connection in VA Disability Claims
A well-written nexus letter, or nexus statement, is a key component of your veteran’s disability claim. Proving to the VA that your disability is connected to your military service is part of the process. The absence of a great medical nexus statement is a primary cause of initial claim denial. When you’re fighting for your …
What Is The VA Disability Appeal Success Rate?
What happens when the decision made by the VA Board in your VA disability benefits claim doesn’t turn out the way you hoped? The Board may have ruled that you aren’t qualified to receive benefits because your disability wasn’t service-related, or you may feel that the rating you received doesn’t accurately reflect the severity of …
Can You Get Veterans Disability Benefits for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common and often debilitating condition that many Veterans suffer from, especially those whose military roles involved repetitive hand motions. The severe pain, numbness, and loss of grip strength can make it extremely difficult or impossible to work in many occupations. If you are a veteran struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, …