Category: General

What Does Protected Veteran Status Mean?

Jan 10, 2023
Eric Gang, ESQ

Protected Veteran Status safeguards qualifying veterans, also known as protected veterans, from discrimination throughout the entire employment process with companies and potential employers. Essentially, it serves as affirmative action for veterans with protected veteran status. What’s the Difference Between a Veteran and a Protected Veteran? If you have completed active […]

PTSD Buddy Letters Examples

Dec 27, 2022
Nebojsa “Vic” Zlatanovic, ESQ

In our previous article on PTSD buddy letters, we touched on scenarios where a buddy letter would help with a claim related to non-combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this article, we want to go further and provide a few other examples of non-combat PTSD where a lay statement or […]

VA Can Withhold Disability Compensation to Pay Alimony?

Dec 19, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

Veterans who are divorced often ask whether their service-connected VA compensation can be used to satisfy an alimony obligation in State court. The same question is often asked relative to child support as well. Can VA deduct alimony from my VA compensation? The short answer is, yes, under certain circumstances. […]

How to Calculate Your 2023 Monthly VA Disability Payments

Dec 16, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

The VA’s new 2023 veteran disability pay rates go into effect on December 1, 2022. With the 2023 federal cost of living adjustment (COLA) hitting 8.7%, the VA increased veterans’ monthly payment amounts significantly from 2022 rates – the highest increase in over a decade. What are the 2023 VA […]

2023 VA Disability Pay Rates and Schedule

Dec 8, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

On December 1, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs published the 2023 VA pay rates and disability payment schedule. Veterans who have been injured or developed a health condition due to military service may be eligible for monthly VA disability payments. This article will cover how veterans qualify for disability benefits, […]

What Veterans Need to Know About Neck Range of Motion

Nov 30, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

Neck range of motion (ROM) entails how flexible your neck is in each of the directions it was designed made to move in.1 This is relevant to disabled veterans who are seeking a VA disability compensation rating for a neck disability. The VA largely bases the ratings for a neck […]

What is the VA’s Higher-Level Review Decision Phase?

Nov 21, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

The VA denies a significant number of disability claims when they are reviewed during the initial claim process. This is frustrating and disappointing for veterans hoping to get the benefits they deserve. Fortunately, the VA has several options for appealing a denied claim. The most direct option for appeal is […]

What is a VA Fully Developed Claim?

Nov 18, 2022
Eric Gang, ESQ

When you file a disability claim with the VA, you can choose from two options. The first option is a standard claim, where the VA helps you collect the records and documents that make up your claim. The other option is a fully developed claim, where you compile all the […]