Consulting the BVA will be an on-going series. I will read BVA opinions and share what I learn. I like to read through BVA opinions to glean insight into the best ways to overturn VA denial letters. While Board of Veterans Appeals decisions are not binding, they often provide valuable clues for how to craft […]
BVA OR DRO APPEAL?
The Department of Veterans Affairs makes many mistakes when deciding benefits claims. The numbers are staggering. And while the VA asserts that errors are in decline, a claimant should always be prepared to receive a denial letter. Denial letters are, unfortunately, part and parcel of dealing with the VA. Given that a claimant stands a […]
Special Monthly Pension With Aid And Attendance
Detailed and well researched studies show that one reason people don’t like bureaucrats, doctors, and lawyers is because these professionals use jargon and complicated industry speak. While maybe a surprise to these well educated professionals, most people prefer clear explanations that use everyday language to explain a concept. If you can’t explain something to a […]
VA Form 21-2680
What is VA Form 21-2680? VA Form 21-2680 is the Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance. This form must be signed by a M.D. or D.O. If the form is signed by a nurse or physician’s assistant, the Department of Veterans Affairs will demand you submit a form signed […]
SMC-L
What is SMC-L SMC-L is a specific kind of benefit within the spectrum of Special Monthly Compensation. Special Monthly Compensation benefits are additional benefits above the regular scheduler compensation ratings. SMC is not awarded to compensate for economic loss. SMC is awarded to compensate for personal inconvenience and the overall severity of the disability. The […]
How To Contact The Department of Veterans Affairs
This article covers my best practices for contacting and corresponding with the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a rule, I always mail original Aid and Attendance claims and Notices of Disagreement to the VA. Could you fax original claims and appeals to the VA? Sure, you could. But would you want to? I recommend avoiding […]
How To Expedite An Aid And Attendance Claim
How to expedite an Aid and Attendance Claim is somewhat of a trick question. Everyone wants to know if something can be done to speed up a VA decision. This is understandable. Aid and Attendance is a generous pension that many applicants badly need to help pay for care. And, after all, everyone knows the […]
The Aid And Attendance Net Worth Myth
Many myths and misinformation surround the Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance benefit. Due to the technical nature of the veteran application and surviving spouse application, and the sometimes opaque eligibility standards, submitting an application that results in an award letter can be difficult. The most prevalent myth surrounding Aid and Attendance benefits is […]
What Is A Fully Developed Claim?
Submitting a claim through the Fully Developed Claim program is the ideal way to submit an application for Aid and Attendance. A Fully Developed Claim will place your application on the fast track to a Department of Veterans Affairs decision. What Is A Fully Developed Claim? A Fully Developed Claim means the applicant has submitted […]
VA Form 21-527EZ
Before you start receiving Aid and Attendance benefits, you need to submit an application to the Department of Veterans Affairs. While this is axiomatic, and obvious, the truism raises a tricky question: what form should you submit to the VA? If you want to submit the correct form to the VA, you need to know […]