A recent decision by a federal judge determined that the Navy should reevaluate discharge upgrade applications for sailors and Marines diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and other mental health or related conditions. The decision stemmed from a class-action
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Inspector General Report Highlights Shortcomings of Social Security Administration’s Modernized Development Worksheet Process
A recent report from the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General attempted to determine the effectiveness of the SSA’s controls for high-priority requests, specifically, those sent through the modernized development worksheet (MDW) process. MDW was designed to help…
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Changes in the VA Family Caregiver Program Affects Thousands of Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has recently announced that it will be reviewing approximately 20,000 cases to determine whether the new standards for the VA Family Caregiver Program are met. The new eligibility requirements were put into effect last year,…
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Gulf War Veterans Disability Deadline Extended
The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended the time limit for Gulf War veterans to claim presumptive benefits for certain illnesses. Often referred to as Gulf War Syndrome, the condition does not require a direct link to a veteran’s time…
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Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Are Getting Benefits, But Not Always the Correct Amount
A new watchdog report has shed light on significant oversight at the VA, specifically regarding Blue Water Vietnam veterans and their disability benefits. In many cases, the report has shown the individuals and their families are not receiving how much…
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Retired and Disabled Veterans Are Due for a Record Raise in 2022
In 2022, monthly checks for disabled veterans and military retirees will see the largest increase since 1983. Those receiving checks could see their monthly payments jump by hundreds of dollars each month. This drastic change is primarily due to…
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Social Security Expands Compassionate Allowances Program
On Monday, August 16th, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Kilolo Kijakazi, announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions. Compassionate Allowances is an initiative that allows certain conditions to be quickly identified and qualified for disability benefits through Social Security. The…
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Department of Defense’s Delayed Response to Toxic Chemical Exposure
In 2011, the Department of Defense’s Emerging Chemical program released a report that detailed the risks of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These substances are known as PFAS, and they are found in aqueous film-forming foam that was used…
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Court Ruling May Give Veterans More Education Benefits
Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a decision that could require the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay veterans an additional year of education benefits. Veterans education benefits would be paid under both…
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Republicans on the House Oversight Committee Call for Hearing on Growing VA Records Backlog
Republicans in the House have shined a light on the enormous VA records backlog that has led to extraordinary waiting periods for veterans and their families trying to receive benefits. The House Oversight Committee Republicans are calling for a congressional hearing…
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