Under the appeals process, veterans are afforded the chance to have a hearing. The question that is usually asked is whether you should attend the hearing. Ultimately, the decision to attend is up to you, however, in our experience the hearing process adds very little to the ultimate outcome. In order to prevail in your case you need to establish … Read More

A comp and pen exam is a necessary evil for many veteran. As part of the VA’s duty to assist, veterans who file claims are given doctor appointments to assess the validity of the claim. In the comp and pen exam the veteran can expect the doctor or medical professional to review a disability benefits questionnaire to assess the extent … Read More

The bottom line is that you want the best possible outcome from the VA. There are many avenues you can take to handle your VA claim. You can choose to do it on your own. There are many pitfalls associated with this route. You could file the wrong form thereby sabotaging your case from the start. You will probably have … Read More

To understand the difference between the BVA and the Regional Office, there needs to be an understanding of basic appeals. An appeal arises when a decision from the VA is given and the veteran files the appropriate paperwork. In a general sense, the first level of appeal stays with the VA regional office. Over the past several years however the … Read More

Many types of medical conditions get worse over time. If you are a veteran receiving disability benefits from the VA, you have the right to request that your rating be increased if your medical condition causes your health to deteriorate. Before you file for an increase in your disability rating, make sure you know what you can expect from the … Read More