According to VA regulations, aggravation is defined as occurring under the following conditions: A preexisting injury or disease will be considered to have been aggravated by active military, naval, or air service, where there is an increase in disability during such service, unless there is a specific finding that the increase in disability is due to the natural progress of … Read More

When a military service veteran files a claim for disability compensation with the VA for an illness or disability that resulted from military service, one of the first things a veteran has to establish is that the current illness or disability is connected to the veteran’s military service. There are several ways to consider when trying to establish service connection. … Read More

In proceeding with VA disability claims for combat veterans there are some special rules that will assist the veteran in a more positive manner. In the case of any veteran who engaged in combat with the enemy in active service with a military, naval, or air organization of the United States during a period of war, campaign, or expedition, the … Read More

“[E]very veteran shall be taken to have been in sound condition when examined, accepted, and enrolled for service, except as to defects, infirmities, or disorders noted at the time of the examination, acceptance, and enrollment.” 38 U.S.C. § 1111; see also 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(b). Therefore, when no pre-existing medical condition is noted upon entry into service, a veteran is … Read More

The type of discharge a veteran receives will determine whether the VA will consider a person a veteran. A person desiring veteran status must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The language that the VA uses to describe the character of a veterans service does not correspond precisely with the language used by the military. The … Read More