According to Government Executive, “The Veterans Affairs Department is quickly outpacing its expectations for processing new claims made through a law designed to provide health care coverage to veterans exposed to toxic substances, but [VA] Secretary Denis McDonough said Tuesday there may be more to come.” The PACT Act expanded VA benefits eligibility to veterans…
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…
The PACT Act creates presumptions that make it easier for veterans and their survivors to become entitled to service-connected disability and death benefits. By Matthew J. Brown, Esq. VA-accredited attorney and partner at Wolf & Brown Law Offices On August 10, 2022, the President signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring…
According to Military Times, “The move represents another major expansion of toxic exposure benefits for veterans, this time for individuals suffering from illnesses dating back to the Vietnam War era. The changes follow mandates included in the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — better known as the PACT Act — passed by Congress in…
According to the VA, Veterans have “applied for benefits at record rates over the past year — surpassing the previous all-time record by 39% … [delivering] $150 billion in benefits during 2023 alone.” The VA credits this increase in part to the historic PACT Act. The VA also reports “Because of this record increase in…
“Members of the National Guard and the Reserves can claim Veterans Affairs disability benefits. But they may struggle to prove that disabilities are service-related when they only serve part-time—making it harder for them to access benefits.” This is according to the GAO. According to their report, the VA “approved 11 to 20 percent fewer initial…
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…
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…
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…
From AirForceTimes.com: “About 32,000 veterans’ disability claims were delayed — some as long as five years — due to a technical flaw in federal filing systems, Veterans Affairs officials acknowledged this week.” Although the number of claims is reported to be a “fraction” of the millions of claim filed since the beginning 2018, “Department leaders…
