By: Ryan Spencer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorney Periodically, I have some veterans who would like to be service connected for obesity because of another service connected condition that prevents them from exercising. For example, being handicapped or having a bad back can substantially impede on the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle for most. Even… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published February 21, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Benefits | Tagged denied service connection, disabled veterans, obesity, VA benefits, veterans benefits | 24 Comments
In December, it was announced that Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee would replace Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida as chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Roe is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Medical Corps from 1973 to 1974, including nine months near the demilitarized zone in Korea and three months at… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published February 15, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Administration | Tagged House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Phil Roe | Leave a comment
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump made reform of the VA a significant part of his stump speech, vowing to “make the VA great again.” His talking points emphasized the need for change in three key areas: Reducing wait time and raising the quality of care Holding bad actors within the VA system accountable Modernizing… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published January 30, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Administration | Tagged Choice Act, Trump administration, VA reforms | Leave a comment
By: Ryan Spencer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorney VA published a final interim rule today regarding Camp Lejeune Water Contaminated Veterans, 82 FR 4173. The effective date for this rule is March 14th, 2017 and no earlier. To be eligible for benefits under this new ruling you must meet the below requirements. Valid discharge for Veterans… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published January 16, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Benefits, Veterans Claims | Tagged Camp Lejeune, veterans disability benefits, veterans disability lawyers, water contamination | 66 Comments
Almost 600 veterans who got dental care at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Wisconsin may need to be tested for exposure to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C because the dentist who treated them failed to use sterile, disposable instruments during routine exams, as per VA rules. Victoria Brahm, the center’s acting director, explained… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published January 15, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Injuries | Tagged John Cochran Division, Tomah VA Medical Center, VA dentist malpractice | Leave a comment
The year 2016 featured surprises on many fronts. The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in more than 100 years and a billionaire real estate developer with no political experience won the White House. However, at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban, events were more predictable. We knew going in that reforms to the Department… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published January 5, 2017 | Posted in Veterans Claims | Tagged accredited VA attorneys, VA benefits awards, VA case evaluations | Leave a comment
It was 75 years ago today that a Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor plunged our nation into World War II. At 7:55 a.m. local time on that fateful day, the two-hour assault began. When it was over, more than 2,400 military personnel and civilians had lost their lives, more… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published December 7, 2016 | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, USS Arizona Memorial, World War II veterans | Leave a comment
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a disability benefit available to certain veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. Eligible veterans receive a higher rate of compensation for their disability due to special circumstances, such as the need for another person to aid and attend them, or the nature of their disability, such as the loss… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published November 30, 2016 | Posted in Veterans Benefits | Tagged SMC, va, veterans' compensation | Leave a comment
November 11 is the day our nation has designated to honor American veterans of all wars. The history of Veterans Day dates from November 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, which concluded with a ceasefire the previous November 11. Then, on June 4,… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published November 11, 2016 | Posted in Veterans Administration | Tagged observances on November 11, va, Veterans Day | Leave a comment
On Friday, August 12, the Federal Register published proposed rule changes for the Department of Veterans Affairs that would amend the portion of the VA disability rating system that governs skin conditions. These changes are being proposed to “incorporate medical advances…, update current medical terminology, and provide clear evaluation criteria.” If you are a veteran… Read More »
By Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban | Published October 31, 2016 | Posted in Veterans Benefits | Tagged PUVA, skin conditions, VA treatment coverage | Leave a comment
