“Blue Water Navy Veterans” refers to those who served on ships within twelve (12) nautical miles around the coast of Vietnam.   These Vietnam War service members had previously been denied benefits that veterans who served on land are entitled to, specifically because of the exposure to the toxic herbicide dioxin,

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and VA pay disability benefits to eligible individuals and their dependents. However, the specific programs, processes, and criteria of benefits differ significantly between agencies. Generally speaking, VA pays disability compensation, or service-connected disability benefits, to qualifying veterans who are disabled by an injury or illness

Women’s Veterans Recognition Day is celebrated annually on June 12 in recognition of the groundbreaking 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.  This legislation opened the doors for women to permanently serve in the United States military.  The following month, on July 26, 1948, President Truman also signed Executive Order 9981,

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury? Traumatic Brain Injury, more commonly referred to as a TBI, can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the

If VA grants a veteran service connection for a disability, it then must assign a rating (or a percentage) for that disability.  The rating for a disability is assigned based on the evidence of record.  VA reviews the evidence and interprets which rating is appropriate based on a rating schedule. 

History of the CAVC The CAVC was established by the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act, signed into law by President Reagan in November 1988. Prior to the establishment of the CAVC, veterans did not have a court of law where they might appeal decisions made on their veteran benefits. This meant

National Military Appreciation month, celebrated throughout the month of May, was designated as a month for U.S. citizens to honor and appreciate those who served in the Armed Forces. It was officially designated by Congress in 1999 as a way of encouraging unity throughout the nation. Within the month, there

Today, May 6, 2024, marks the 15th anniversary of Rice v. Shinseki (22 Vet.App. 447 (2009)). In this landmark Court of Appeals for Veteran’s Claims case, the Court held VA has a duty to consider a Veteran’s eligibility for TDIU (a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) whenever evaluating the

In 2010, the US Congress passed a resolution that officially designated May 1st as National Silver Star Service Banner Day in order to recognize and remember service members who have been wounded in combat, are sick, and those who are dying. Traditionally, military families have displayed banners in a window