Effective February 7, 2021, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented major changes to the rating schedule for musculoskeletal disabilities. Diagnostic codes have been added, others have been removed, and an attempt has been made to update medical terminology and to provide more objective rating criteria. The changes are a mixed bag for veterans. For […]

On November 5, 2020, a federal judge ordered that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must re-adjudicate claims for disability benefits arising from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, if those claims were previously denied because the veteran had served offshore during Vietnam rather than setting foot on the land or serving within

On January 27, 2020, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) changed the list of locations where the military used and stored herbicides such as Agent Orange. To the surprise of many, this list no longer includes approximately 40 locations that VA previously recognized as places where herbicides were known to be used. Sadly, VA is

In 2019, the Board of Veterans Appeals (sometimes called the Board or BVA) issued over 95,000 appeals decisions. Whenever the Board issues a decision, federal law requires that it provide a statement of “reasons and bases” explaining how it reached its decision. One of the most common reasons that the Board’s decisions are eventually overturned

Mr. Sparks is a student associate at West & Dunn, and a law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Every current and former member of the Military understands that wearing the uniform comes with a risk. However, most do not consider the risk posed by trips to the clinic. According to the Defense

On Thursday, May 28, the US Department of Veterans Affairs issued a press release announcing that it will begin conducting in-person compensation and pension exams (commonly referred to as “C&P Exams”) at select locations across the country. Those locations include the following: White River Junction VA Medical Center, Vt. Syracuse VAMC, N.Y. Erie VAMC, Penn. Hershel “Woody”

I got out of the army in 2004 and gave very little thought to my VA disability benefits. Shortly before leaving Ft. Benning, the Army’s transition folks had me fill out an application for benefits, but provided almost no explanation or instructions. I returned to my hometown to attend law school and by chance bumped

This article was originally published by Shana Dunn as a guest contributor with The Havok Journal on April 16, 2020. For many service-connected veterans, the impact of the service-connected disability on the ability to function in the workplace does not match up with the level of compensation provided by VA.  VA regulations state that the purpose of the VA

Despite legitimate efforts from both veterans’ advocates and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, the phrase “protected environment” in the context of a claim for total disability and individual unemployability (TDIU) remains undefined. Because VA adjudicators and veterans’ advocates have not yet provided a definition that can withstand review at the Veterans Court, action is needed from VA