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How your Social Security Disability Lawyer can get the most out of the family doctor records
By Michael J. Brown, Esq. † We all probably sense that insurance companies have taken over the world. This is becoming more and more true in medicine. Early in my career I wrote the disability decisions for Social Security. In my office they had various physicians who would review the medical portions of the case. …
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Perspective on disability law from Michael J. Brown, Esq. †
As a partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices, Attorney Michael J. Brown was passionate about providing his clients with expert representation and fighting for the benefits they deserve. Before Mr. Brown passed away in 2025, after a 30+ year career in disability law, he offered his valuable perspective on engaging with the Social Security…
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The Power of a Migraine Journal
For many Veterans, chronic headaches or migraines are more than just a painful inconvenience – they are a daily struggle that affects concentration, work performance, and overall quality of life. But when it comes to securing VA disability compensation, simply telling the VA that you have headaches often isn’t enough. The VA relies on objective,…
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Qualifying for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), or more commonly known as Individual Unemployability, stands as a critical avenue for Veterans who served their country and now find themselves unable to secure substantial gainful employment due to the severity of their service-connected disabilities. In this article, we will explore the eligibility criteria for Individual Unemployability (IU). Under…
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VA Proposal to Reduce Your Disability Rating – What it Means
When the Veterans Administration (VA) proposes to reduce a veteran’s disability rating, it creates one of the most stressful times in a veteran’s life. By Matthew J. Brown, Esq. VA-accredited attorney and partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices Routinely, our office encounters a situation where the veteran believed in good faith their service-connected disability…
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Compensation vs. Pension Benefits: Understanding the Key Differences
It’s essential for veterans and their families to understand the distinctions between these two benefit programs to determine which may be applicable to their unique circumstances. By Matthew J. Brown, Esq. VA-accredited attorney and partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits to eligible veterans,…
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Deciphering the VA Rating Decision: Understanding What’s Inside
For veterans navigating the complex world of VA disability benefits, receiving a VA rating decision is a significant milestone. By Matthew J. Brown, Esq. VA-accredited attorney and partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices This document is the culmination of a lengthy process and contains vital information that determines the level of disability compensation a…
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C&P Examinations – How Important They Are and What You Should Know
When filing for VA disability compensation, VA may ask you to attend an examination as part of the claims process. Generally, the purpose of this examination is to determine if you claimed disability is service-connected; or alternatively, to determine if the severity of your current service-connected condition is worsening, static, or improving. By Matthew J.…
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Effective Dates: What they are and how they affect your VA Disability Benefits
One of the more common misunderstandings in Veterans Disability Law is the rule surrounding “effective dates”. What is an effective date? In short, it is the day that you can start receiving your disability benefits. By Matthew J. Brown, Esq. VA-accredited attorney and partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices Generally, under federal rules and…
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VA Disability Benefit Claims – Wait Times Explained
When filing an initial claim for disability benefits with the Veterans Administration (VA) it takes approximately 118 days to process the claim and make a decision. However, this is an estimated completion timeline. In each individual case, the time it takes to review your claim depends on a number of factors including the number of…
