Veterans Benefits

Veterans Groups Call for VA Nursing Home Reform

Man looking out window sitting in wheelchair in nursing home

Six national veterans groups—including the American Legion—have called for the federal government to reform the standards of care residents receive at all Veterans Administration (VA) nursing home facilities. A detailed article on their concerns is available here. The six national veterans groups—representing nearly 5 million veterans—say Americans who risked their lives for their country endure…

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Class Action by Veterans Denied VA Benefits for PTSD Can Now Proceed

Soldier with PTSD sitting and looking upset.

A recent ruling by a Senior U.S. District Judge now allows those Navy and Marine Corps veterans who developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after their service in Iraq and Afghanistan to file suit against the military for denying them Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. A detailed article on the case is available here. A Question of…

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National Veterans and Military Families Month: Veterans Disability Compensation Resources

Young soldier reunited with his daughter

Disability Attorneys of Michigan would like to thank all current military members and veterans for their service to this country. In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month, we outlined the benefits available to those who become disabled during service. A detailed overview of Veterans Disability Compensation requirements is available through the National Veterans…

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Cost of Living Adjustment to Raise Military Pensions, Disability Benefits

Military veteran holding cash

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced a 2.8% increase in benefit payments for 2019. A detailed story on the increase—the largest adjustment since 2012—is available here. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) will benefit both military retirees and veterans receiving disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Last year’s increase was 2%,…

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Government Accountability Office Suggests Improvements to Regional VA Claims Processing

Paperwork on desk

Each year, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) processes more than one million compensation claims, which provide $65 billion in benefits. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggested recommendations to improve the processing performance. The GAO’s full report appears here. About the Report The report examines how the VBA manages workload performance, how the VBA reports timeliness…

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Claiming SSDI & VA Disability

Veterans Benefits Booklet

Some disabled veterans are eligible to receive both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) through the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Benefits through the Veterans Administration (VA) at the same time. A detailed article on the process appears here. About VA & SSDI The VA provides disability benefits to military veterans who were disabled during…

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Combat-Disabled Veterans May Receive IRS Refund

Soldiers in combat

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced some combat veterans may be due a refund for taxes applied against their disability severance payments over a 15-year period. A detailed article on this announcement is available here. According to a recent press release, approximately 140,000 combat-injured disabled veterans may be due a refund. In…

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New VA Secretary Opposes Agent Orange Benefits for Navy Veterans

Navy ship in ocean

Robert Wilkie, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, has opposed a bill to extend benefits based on exposure to Agent Orange to Navy veterans who served during the Vietnam War. He based his opinion on high costs and insufficient evidence sailors were exposed to the toxic chemical. A detailed article on…

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Backlog for VA Benefits Higher than Once Thought

According to a recent report from the Office of the Inspector General, the case backlog to receive benefits through the Veterans Administration (VA) is worse than originally thought. A detailed article on the results of this new investigation is available here. The VA inspector general has identified tens of thousands of cases for benefits that…

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Social Security and Veterans Benefits: Understanding the Differences

Disabled Veteran

While both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provide assistance to American citizens in need, the two agencies differ greatly in scope, intent and procedure. Understanding the differences between the SSA and VBA can save claimants time—and prevent potential headaches. An article on these differences appears here.   Understanding Social…

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