Veteran Advocacy Articles
Analysis of VA disability law, health care policy, and how the VA system actually operates under federal law.
-
What VA Caregiver Assessments Actually Evaluate: ADLs, Supervision, and Documentation
A serious diagnosis and substantial caregiver involvement do not, by themselves, explain how VA will decide a PCAFC application. The assessment process focuses on specific functional limitations, the frequency and type of assistance required, daily safety risks, and how consistently those needs are documented. Many Veterans and caregivers enter the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for…
-
When Does a Veteran’s Statement Become Evidence?
One of the most common reasons for denying a VA disability claim is the statement: The evidence does not show a current diagnosed disability. For many disabilities, that conclusion may be correct. However, experienced service officers should recognize that the analysis does not always end there. Before accepting a denial based on the absence of…
-
When VA Conditions Worsen: Looking Beyond the Original Rating Decision
Many veterans think about worsening service-connected disabilities primarily in terms of whether they qualify for a higher rating. While increased evaluations are certainly important, worsening conditions often affect far more than a single percentage under a diagnostic code. As disabilities progress over time, veterans may gradually experience more pain, reduced mobility, declining stamina, sleep problems,…
-
The VA Is Moving Faster. The Law Still Requires Clarity. What That Means for Your Claim.
When the VA denies a claim, you should know it. That sounds obvious. But under recent changes in how claims are decided, it is becoming more difficult to tell exactly what was decided—and what was not. Some decisions now move more quickly through the system. They may address one pathway clearly while leaving others less…
-
Veterans Caught Between Two Agencies: VA Unemployability and Social Security Disability
VA says a veteran cannot work. Social Security may still deny the claim.This article examines how VA disability findings are evaluated in Social Security disability decisions, and what the data shows when those conclusions do not align. A veteran can be found unable to work, or individually unemployable, by the Department of Veterans Affairs and…