Last month, the VA Office of the Inspector General (VAOIG) released a report exposing the subpar performance of the companies providing Compensation & Pensions examinations (C&P exams) for veterans in connection with their claims and appeals. The report does not
Veterans Law Prof
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Veterans Law Prof, published by the Law Professor Blogs Network, focuses on legal issues affecting veterans, including veterans benefits law, discharge characterizations, and regulatory updates from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The blog covers topics such as veterans disability compensation, appeals processes at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, caregiver program regulations, and legal assistance conferences. It also addresses challenges faced by veterans in accessing benefits, workforce and policy changes impacting veterans services, and advocacy efforts. The content is aimed at legal professionals, advocates, and scholars involved in veterans law and policy.
Latest from Veterans Law Prof - Page 3
VA Proposes Changes to Mental Disorders Ratings Schedule (Jennifer Morrell, Widener University Delaware Law School)
By ssimcox
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed to amend the section of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities that addresses mental disorders—38 C.F.R. § 4.130.The changes include a completely revamped general rating formula and the inclusion of eating disorders under…
VA Proposes Changes to Digestive System Ratings Schedule (by Danielle Alush and Jennifer Morrell, Widener University Delaware Law School)
By ssimcox
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed to amend the section of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities that addresses the digestive system—38 C.F.R. § 4.110-4.114. The changes include the addition of new medical conditions and new diagnostic codes (DCs),…
Congressional Action Expands Agent Orange Presumption Beyond Parkinson’s Disease to include Parkinsonism (by Jennifer Morrell, Widener University Delaware Law School)
By ssimcox
In 2010, the VA added Parkinson’s disease to its list of conditions which are presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure. This addition to the official list of presumptive conditions followed the usual route, whereby the Secretary of VA considered scientific studies and concluded there was enough of an association between Agent
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Veterans Law Clinic Group Hosts Second Annual National Boot Camp – by Jennifer Morrell (Widener University Delaware Law School)
By ssimcox
In September, over 100 law student interns, faculty, and advocates from all over the country gathered to attend the second annual boot camp for clinics serving veterans, hosted by the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium (NLSVCC).
The Honorable Michael
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VA Calls for More Comments Regarding Regulatory Bars to Benefits (by Jennifer Morrell, Delaware Law School Veterans Law Clinic)
By ssimcox
In July 2020 the VA issued a proposed amendment to 38 CFR 3.12 which would update and clarify the regulatory bars to benefits. Over 70 comments were submitted from both individuals and organizations–including the American Psychological Association, Vietnam Veterans of…
New Review Board for Discharge Upgrades to Serve All Branches — by Jennifer R. Morrell (Widener University Delaware Law School)
By ssimcox
For attorneys who handle discharge upgrades, there’s a new kid on the block: The Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB). The DARB was created by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, which was signed into law by Donald Trump on
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Project 100,000: Spotting the Issue in Discharge Upgrade Cases — by Robert R. Davis
By ssimcox
Project 100,000 isn’t very present in the public consciousness anymore. Maybe it never was, but it was part of the story in movies like Forrest Gump and Full Metal Jacket.For those unaware, Project 100,000 was a Vietnam-era program that loosened…
NLSVCC Opposes VA’s Proposed Amendments and Definitions Regarding Character of Discharge Determinations — By Claudia Marina Velasquez (University of Florida Levin College of Law)
By ssimcox
Generally, a veteran’s character of discharge must be categorized under other than dishonorable conditions to be eligible to receive VA benefits and services. A veteran is denied benefits if the reason for separation falls under one of the VA’s statutory…
Outreach to Rural Veterans – By Brent Filbert (Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic)
By ssimcox
In 2019, the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic kicked off an exciting program, entitled “Tigers for Troops” to provide needed assistance to veterans living in the rural areas of Missouri. Missouri has the 15th largest population of veterans of any state in…