Tag Archives: disability benefits

Blue Water Navy Veterans court ruling moves forward


The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that they will not appeal a January court ruling that will likely pave the way for “Blue Water Navy” veterans to receive Agent Orange benefits. According to an article published by Military.com, “VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that he will recommend the Justice Department not fight the decision, handing…

VA to Announce Decision on New Agent Orange Presumptive Illnesses


According to an article published by MilitaryTimes.com, during a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing this week, Dr. Richard Stone (executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration) announced that a decision regarding presumptive illnesses linked to Agent Orange would likely come in the next 3 months. This announcement would mean that conditions such as bladder cancer, hypothyroidism,…

Veterans groups appeal for Blue Water Navy veterans benefits


According to an article published by Stripes.com, ten national veterans organizations pleaded with the President last week, asking him to direct the Justice Department not to appeal a recent federal court decision that could extend Agent Orange benefits to thousands of Vietnam War veterans. The article continued by saying, “The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit…

Bill named for Tampa Bay veteran seeks to expand Agent Orange benefits


According to an article published by Channel 8 News, “just days after the VA awarded Navy veteran Lonnie Kilpatrick disability benefits for his exposure to toxic herbicides, Lonnie passed away. Over the course of a decade, the VA refused to approve his benefits, claiming that because he was stationed on Guam and not in Vietnam,…

New “HAVEN” act promises to protect bankrupt veterans


The Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need (HAVEN) Act seeks to shield disabled veterans’ benefits from debt collectors and provide them with bankruptcy immunity. According to an article published by the Military Times, “when a disabled vet declares bankruptcy currently, the law allows debtors to count a veteran’s disability benefits as disposable income, allowing them…

IMPORTANT NEWS: Social media posts may now be used as evidence


According to an article published by The New York Times, government officials have diligently been working on a proposal to use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to help identify people who have falsely claimed Social Security disability benefits. For example, if a person claimed benefits because of a foot injury but was shown running a…