A Veteran’s character of discharge (COD) must be under other than dishonorable conditions to establish eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits based on that individual’s military service. If not, then the veteran is barred from receiving VA benefits. However, there are multiple ways of trying to work around this prohibition. One such way is to work on getting … Read More

This may seem like an obvious answer, but the decision on whether a person is a veteran or not is key to receiving appropriate benefits. In order to be eligible for VA disability compensation a person must meet the criteria for being a veteran. A Veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and … Read More

The short answer to how one proves service connection can be narrowed to 2 words: medical evidence. It cannot be overstated that medical evidence is the key to proving service connection. Sometimes this medical evidence can be developed by the VA through the comp and pen process but more often than not private medical opinions are required to help a … Read More

First the reason the distinction is important is because veterans who served in “brown water” will receive the presumption of exposure to agent orange thereby making service connection easier for some claims. Thus, a lot of litigation and argument has ensued over the definitions of blue water and brown water navy veterans. Blue Water Veterans are not presumed to have … Read More

Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. According to VA, “Agent Orange” refers to a blend of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed in the jungles of Vietnam and around the Korean demilitarized zone to remove trees … Read More