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Disability claims by Purple Heart veterans will now be prioritized.
Last week, Veterans Affairs secretary Robert Wilkie announced that disability claims by veterans who earned a Purple Heart will now be prioritized amongst other requests saying, “Those who hold…the recognition of wounds taken in battle, will now receive priority consideration when it comes to claims,” Effective on April 1st, the new policy follows existing department…
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New VA program aimed at securing IT jobs for veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to launch a new program in April that will be aimed at placing veterans in high-paying information technology (IT) jobs, with all training and associated fees fully paid for once the veteran has secured employment. According to an article published by the Military Times, the Veteran Employment Through…
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New VA appeals process promises to be quicker
This week the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officially switched their benefits appeals process to a new system that promises more clarity and quicker decisions for the 1-million-plus cases handled annually. VA leaders are describing the move to the new process as another expansion of “choice” for veterans. At a launch event on Tuesday,…
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“Blue Water” veterans may finally be entitled to Agent Orange disability benefits
A recent federal appeals court ruling could expand disability benefits to Navy Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical weapon known to cause serious health problems in those exposed. After realizing the deadly long-term health impacts Agent Orange had on those who served, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991 in an attempt to provide…
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Veterans Disability COLA Act reintroduced
This month, the Veterans’ Disability Compensation Automatic Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Act was reintroduced by Senators Brian Schatz and John Thune. This reintroduction requires the federal government to provide disabled veterans with an automatic COLA in years when there is an increase in disability insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security…
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New VA rule grants veterans access to private health care
In the most recent rule change released by the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who live as little as a 30-minute drive from a VA health care facility will be able to opt for private care instead. A New York Times article states that in order for veterans to take advantage of these benefits, they…
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Military base water contamination claims denied
The Department of the Navy has announced that they will deny all civil claims made by people who were exposed to contaminated drinking water at a major US Marine Corps base. According to an article published by CNN.com, hazardous chemicals were accidentally introduced into drinking wells from the 1950s to the 1980s located at Camp…
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Blue Water Navy bill gains traction
A court ruling that went against opposition from the Department of Veterans Affairs caused a bipartisan push in Congress on a bill to get Agent Orange benefits for “Blue Water Navy” veterans. This court ruling could extend benefits and health care to an estimated 90,000 veterans who served off the coast of Vietnam. However, in an article…
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Veterans discriminated against by the bankruptcy code
The current bankruptcy code by Congress excludes disabled veterans from being classified amongst other disabled Americans. This makes the process for bankrupt veterans a much longer, and more difficult one. The “current monthly income” definition prevents disabled veterans from being classified as Chapter 7 cases and instead classifies them as Chapter 13 cases. Chapter 7…
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New VA claims appeals program promises to reduce processing times
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a new program for appealing disability claims decisions that is due to begin on February 19th, 2019. According to the Military Times, the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) will be a vast improvement in the claims appeals process. This new procedure will aim to reduce the delays veterans face when appealing…
