Are You a Veteran?

Are You a Veteran?

Know Your Eligibility for VA Benefits

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Many individuals who are eligible for VA benefits are unaware of their veteran status. It is a common misconception that one must have been in combat or retired from the military to qualify for VA benefits. In reality, eligibility for VA benefits is not limited to these specific circumstances. https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/veterans-qualifications-and-discharge

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To determine eligibility for VA benefits, it is important to understand the definition of a "veteran." According to the law, a veteran is defined as "a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable." This definition encompasses a broad range of individuals who have served in the military. It includes service in the United States Armed Forces and, in certain cases, service in the organized military or guerilla forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

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However, there are a couple of conditions that may prevent veterans from qualifying for benefits. Firstly, a dishonorable discharge can disqualify a veteran from receiving benefits. Veterans with honorable discharges, discharges under honorable conditions, and general discharges will still be eligible for benefits, but those with dishonorable discharges will not.

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Secondly, willful misconduct can affect eligibility. Willful misconduct refers to conscious wrongdoing or engaging in known prohibited actions. Veterans seeking VA benefits due to disabilities created by their own willful misconduct will be ineligible for those specific benefits. However, it is important to note that the burden of proof lies with the VA to demonstrate that the veteran's willful misconduct directly caused the disability.

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If you are unsure about your eligibility for VA benefits, it is recommended to consult with a veterans' advocate or reach out to the Department of Veterans Affairs for clarification. Understanding your eligibility can open doors to valuable resources and support that you may be entitled to as a veteran.

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Remember, being a veteran goes beyond combat or retirement status. If you have served in the military under conditions other than dishonorable, you may be eligible for VA benefits. Explore your options and ensure you receive the recognition and assistance you deserve for your dedicated service to our nation.

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Albert L. Thombs
The VA Disability Advocate
VA Accredited Claims Agent #45147,
Phone: 702-209-5722
visit us at www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

DEFINITION OF SERVICE CONNECTED. Las Vegas VA Disability Advocate

DEFINITION OF SERVICE CONNECTED

Service Connected Disability means a death or disability was incurred or aggravated during active service in the line of duty. Basically, you need to show that the original incident caused a particular condition for which you received treatment and how that treatment has continued. If you stop receiving treatment for a time, or if more than a year passes between the time you are discharged from service and you file your claim, proving the existence of a “nexus” becomes harder. Many denied veterans benefits are often the result of an inability to prove that a “Nexus” Exists.

Service-Connected?

• While a direct service connection can be established in any number of ways, this meaning of establishing service connection usually means that it is clear evidence of a disability, an incident that occurred while the the veteran was in service, and evidence of "linkage" between the two. 
• Service Connection by Aggravation. In this type of claim, the veteran usually has some evidence that a condition existed before the veteran's time in service (usually an entrance examination), accompanied by evidence of an incident occurring in-service and again, evidence of linkage between the two. 
• Service Connection by Legal Presumption. Certain conditions or diseases are presumed to be service-connected. There are lists of these conditions and their presumptive periods. Most of these conditions must manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from the date of separation.
• Secondary Service Connection. This type of service connection will occur when one disability is the result of another service-connected disability. One of the most famous cases are of a WW II veteran who was treated for tuberculosis with a medication known to cause hearing loss. In the Court of Appeals decision, the hearing loss was a disability with a secondary service connection.
• Connection due to injury caused by treatment in the VA healthcare system. 38 U.S.C. 1151 states that if a veteran is injured because of VA hospitalization, treatment, rehab or therapy that is not the fault of the veteran, the injury is treated as service-connected.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/service-connection-defined

If you were denied your VA disability claim in 2019, your time to appeal is running out. The more complicated your VA claim is, the better the evidence you are going to need to be successful, Get the facts! Don’t let the complicated VA disability benefits appeal process scare you. The VA Disability Advocate handles VA Disability Claims in Hawaii, Las Vegas, San Diego and nationally. Call: 702-209-5722, www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com Albert L. Thombs Jr., VA Certified Agent, OGC Accreditation Number: 45147

Why Did My VA Claim Get Denied

VA Disability Advocate - Denied VA Benefits

Just because your claim was denied does not mean you are not eligible for disability benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) commonly makes errors in its determinations. The denial can be a combination of not analyzing the facts of your case correctly, and it can also stem from not having proper evidence available.

Denials Commonly Result From These Areas:

• Not enough medical evidence to support your disability;
• Agreeing that you have a disability, but not finding enough evidence to show that it is connected to your military service;
• They may agree that you have a disability that is service-connected, but they might assign a rating that is too low for your actual symptoms;
• They may agree you have a disability, but find that is was pre-existing to your military service and not aggravated by your service.

Veterans  Appeals Backlog

While the “backlog” of claims waiting for an initial decision has decreased dramatically, the new wait is on the appeals side. Here’s an example: When a veteran files a claim for disability benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes a decision, which in our Reno Nevada Regional Office is taking about four to six months on average. If the veteran does not like the VA’s decision, the veteran can appeal. After the veteran appeals, it is taking from three to four years for the VA to pick up that veteran’s claim again and review it. That is a tragedy.

Veterans Disability Advocate (VADA) recognizes the VA is moving more rapidly on the front end of these decisions, however, the decisions are often being made poorly, overlooking evidence in the record, and sometimes failing to schedule the veteran for a medical examination for the disability that a veteran is required to receive by law.

When the veteran ends up in the appellate backlog, the effects can be devastating waiting for a resolution. It can take years. One of our clients, an Iraq War veteran who has been homeless for several years while waiting for a decision since 2011, just received a hearing on his claims at the appellate level. Now it could take a year or more to receive a decision. That makes it six years or more that he has been waiting and wandering in and out of homelessness unable to work due to PTSD from combat. If this veteran is awarded his benefits, we anticipate he will receive approximately $75,000 he has been owed for the past six years just in back payments of his benefit alone. The Veterans Disability Advocate (VADA) is able to capture these denied claims, provide evidence to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that they require helping prove a veteran’s claim, and make certain that the hamster wheel ride ends for that veteran — we make sure the veteran receives the benefit he or she earned.

Appealing Your Claim

You may appeal any or all issues in a decision with The Veterans Disability Advocate (VADA) or through your local VA office; usually, locate at your local VA medical center.

• A VA appeal is separated into two main stages: (1) within the local VA office, and (2) continuing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC.

• The two most common reasons people appeal are: (1) VA denied you benefits for a disability you believe is related to service, or (2) you believe that your disability is more severe than VA rated it.
• Veterans disagreeing with a disability compensation decision must use VA Form 21-0958. The Notice of Disagreement form offers Veterans the choice between a "traditional" appeal to the BVA or a "de novo" review of their claim by a Decision Review Officer.
• Once you file a Notice of Disagreement, your local VA office will review your file again, prepare a written explanation of why your claim was denied, known as the Statement of the Case (SOC), and mail it to you.
• If you submit any evidence or request that VA obtains any evidence for you after receiving your Statement of the Case, you may receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case after your local VA office reviews that evidence.
• If you disagree with the Statement of the Case and would like to appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, file a Substantive Appeal. At this time, you can also choose whether you want an optional hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/denied-va-benefits

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

Gathering VA Disability Evidence, Call the Las Vegas VA Disability Advocate. VA Agent# 45147

Veterans Disability Advocate - Gathering Evidence

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)  has a "duty to assist" the veteran in gathering evidence. The wise veteran will ignore this and act as if there were no such requirement. If you're not confident you can do everything on your own, let the Veterans Disability Advocate (VADA) assist you. No matter whom you choose as your representative  VSO (link is external) to help you, the VSO will want you to be involved in your own claim. Your VSO will do a much better job for you if you're actively helping to gather evidence and getting good copies of evidence for your VSO to review.  

While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the "duty to assist", this duty does not guarantee that any extraordinary effort will be made on your behalf.  A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Service Representative [VSR] is given the task of retrieving the evidence. But after trying once or twice without results, he or she is under little or no obligation to continue. This is why it's so important not to rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete the task of gathering that information.

 What’s Considered Evidence?

• Military Medical Records – The Veteran has retained or acquired his/heir's Military Medical Records from Active Duty. (Form SF180)
• Military Personnel Records - Military personnel. Records can include DD 214s/Separation Documents, service personnel records found within the Official.
• Military Personnel File (OMPF), and medical records. Military personnel records can be used for proving military service or as a valuable tool in genealogical research (Form SF180)
• VA Medical Records - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Release of Information (ROI) staff will be happy to assist you with requests for your VA Medical records.
• Private Medical Records – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will ask you to provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all treating physicians and other health providers. You will also be asked to fill out forms allowing your medical providers to release private medical information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
•  Lay Evidence – First-Hand Accounts
• Personal Statement – Tell your side of the story
• Buddy Statements – Statements from others soldiers who witness the event
• Family Statements – Statements from family to validate your impairment 

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/gathering-va-medical-evidence

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

How to Write Your Statement

Veterans Disability Advocate - How to Write a Veteran Disability Statement

It is important that your claim is prepared as well as possible. If improperly prepared or documented, your claim is likely to fail. Depending on why it failed, your claim may damage your ability to successfully appeal a bad decision or to win approval in a subsequent claim.  A claim that has been filed incorrectly is as useless to you and your family as a claim that was never filed.

Writing a Stressor Statement: Use Form 21-4138

Writing a stressor statement can itself be stressful. In many cases, You’re being asked to recall and record events that you’d rather forget. This is true not only for veterans who served in a combat zone but also for veterans who suffered Military Sexual Trauma.

Once you’ve described the stressful event, You’ll need to describe how it affects you. Begin with a brief summary of your life before you entered the military. How well did you get along with members of your family? Did you have friends? A girlfriend or boyfriend? Did you go to school? Take part in school activities? Did you have a job? How well did you do it? Was religion important to you? If so, how? Did you play sports? Enjoy hobbies?

Describe the Stressful Event(s) in chronological order. For each event, give the date and place it occurred, and the name of the unit you were attached to. Tell what happened in as much detail as possible, and tell how you felt about what happened. Were you angry? Fearful? Sad? Numb?

Describe How You Have Changed - describe what your life was like before you began military service, what your relationship with friends and families was like, how you did in school, whether you played sports or had a job. Then describe what happened after you returned home from the service. Give examples of problems you had with work, school, or relationships. Describe your difficulty adjusting to civilian life. If you were no longer interested in activities, you once enjoyed, talk about that.  Give specific examples of your PTSD symptoms. For example “I had a panic attack when I heard a car backfire, I thought it was gunfire” or “I heard someone scream on TV and I ran for cover.” This will be much more effective than providing clinical descriptions of symptoms that you may have learned while undergoing mental health treatment.

• Discuss Alcohol and Drug Use - If you've used alcohol and drugs to cope with your PTSD symptoms, it’s ok to write about that. This is your chance to explain that you couldn’t handle having PTSD and that your alcohol or drug use began, or worsened after the stressful events occurred. You can also talk about whether you are now clean and sober and how long you have been in treatment, if applicable.  If you still use alcohol and drugs, talk about why you do so, and how often. Again, this can be evidence of the impact PTSD is having on your life.

Write about how you are now feeling about your present life, whether you are in treatment for PTSD, and if you aren’t, why not. Sign your statement, and if there are several pages, add page numbers and staple the packet together.

• Requesting Statements From Family Members or Friends - Your friends and family members have a special ability to describe how your life has changed as a result of traumatic events you experience while in the service. They can write about the person you were when you entered the service and the changed person you were when you returned home.
• Ask friends and family to describe in their statement what your personality was like before service and what is like now. Maybe you were outgoing and popular before, and now you are a recluse who does not like leaving the house. Or perhaps you were quiet and laid-back, and now you’re extremely angry a lot. Maybe you used to feel very close to your spouse, and now you are withdrawn from her (or him), or even abusive. Or perhaps you no longer feel that you are available for your children.
•  All of these people can help by writing a statement giving examples of how your behavior has changed. Your child could say you used to help with homework and now you sit in front of the TV drinking. Your friends could describe how you don’t feel safe leaving the house, and everywhere you go you are always looking over your shoulder, on high alert. Your spouse could describe how you wake up terrified in the middle of the night from nightmares.  Each person will need to describe their relationship to you, how long they have known you, and how much time you normally spend together. They should be as honest as possible and just let the facts about your behavior speak for themselves. Make sure they sign the letter and include their full name and address.

You’re not expected to have a perfect memory. If you can’t recall something, don’t hesitate to say so; however, include as much detail as you can. Are there specific sights and sounds you can’t forget? If so, write about them. * NOTE:  If you don’t remember precisely when something happened, do your best to give the VA an approximate time frame. They’ll need it if it becomes necessary to verify your story by researching military records. You may be able to peg the event to another occurrence in your life. Did it happen close in time to a birthday? An anniversary? A holiday? A death?

Tell the truth, there’s no need to exaggerate or embellish, the facts are powerful enough; let them speak for themselves.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/how-to-write-a-statement

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

How to Talk to Your VA Doctor

VA Disability Advocate - How to Talk to Your Doctor

In the past, the patient‐doctor relationship was one‐directional, the doctor typically took the lead and the patient followed. Today, the relationship is a partnership.  Taking an active role in your health care can help you get the best care possible from your doctor.

Experiencing a physical injury can be challenging for anyone. Whether you were wounded in combat, injured in a training exercise, or hurt while going about your daily life, dealing with pain and disability is difficult and can sometimes be traumatic. There are many types of physical injuries that can result from combat or service-related incidents. Common physical issues include hearing loss, vision loss, burns, back and joint pain or traumatic brain injury.

Any kind of physical injury can make it harder to cope. You may have to stop doing hobbies or sports or learn to do them in different ways. These challenges can affect you emotionally, too. If you believe your condition was caused as a result of your service, you must tell your Dr. that it happen on active duty, if you do not, the VA has no way of knowing what happened to you on active duty, If you do not, don't expect the VA to consider rating your condition.

The VA, "Government" has no crystal ball, secrete redacted records of secret operation, or medical experiments used to monitor your medical and military career; they are clueless to what medical conditions you believe were caused by your service. Unless you enroll in the VA medical system or submit private medical records to the VA, they have no obligation to monitor your healthcare. If you're that Veteran, expect your claim to stall for years to come! 

Veterans that are actively involved in their healthcare have a greater chance of approval,  as an active member of your healthcare team, you should: 

• Take full advantage of your appointment, before an appointment!  write down your question and medical concerns, this will help assure that you and your Dr. are on the same page.  Make a practice of this!

• If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it again,  your doctor may use technical terms and not realize they are unfamiliar or confusing to you unless you say something.

• Tell your doctor if something is bothering you, such as a pain, stress, and other symptoms. Don’t just wait to see if it goes away.

• Or, let your doctor know if you’re unsure about that surgery and want to hear about other treatment options.

• Be sure to tell your doctor about any current and past healthcare issues or concerns. It's important to share any information you can; personal information including whether you are stressed or if your life is changing…..even if you're embarrassed.  You can create a “health journal” for yourself on paper or in a notebook, and bring it to your appointments.

• Don't be afraid to speak up. It's important for you to let your doctor know if you don’t understand something. If you don’t ask questions, your doctor will think you understand everything he or she has told you.

• Tell your doctor when you need more time to talk about something. If the doctor isn’t available to help, you should be able to talk to a physician assistant or a nurse. If no one else is available, see if you can schedule another appointment to continue your talk.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/talking-to-your-doctor

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

VA Disability Advocate - Things You Know About Your C&P Exam Before You Attend.

VA Disability Advocate - Things to Know About your C&P Exam

The purpose of the C&P Exam is NOT to convince the doctor that your injury is service-connected but to let him or her conduct their exam and draw their conclusion.  In the end, your current disability either is or is not related to military service. Regardless of what the doctor says, what the VA rater says, the limitations or symptoms either are or are not, related to your time in service.

A doctor’s opinion can’t change what is or is not.  It’s just another piece of the puzzle of proof, and the C&P Exam is just another piece of that puzzle.  It is not the only piece – but if we view it as such, we often make our claims harder than they have to be.  And we certainly make them more stressful.  The amount of time the examiner spends with you during your exam depends on what conditions you claimed and if VA needs more information to make a decision. The length of your visit could be very short or last an hour or more.

7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT C&P EXAMS

1. THEY ARE MANDATORY: If there is one thing that I would like to remind all Veterans of is the importance of attending a C&P Exam. I have seen far too many Vets get denied because they simply didn’t attend their exam. Find any way possible to attend this exam.
2. You will likely have more than one: Not only will you have an exam for each condition you file for but once the appeals process starts, you will likely have to go back again for the same condition. Often times Veterans have to have a C&P at every step in the process.
3. You’re probably going to be upset after the exam. We work with Veterans all of the time, and we have been doing this for a while, so we know what happens at the exams. Frequently we hear stories from our clients about how the doctor was rude, didn’t fully examine We work with Veterans all of the time, and we have been doing this for a while, so we know what happens at the exams. Frequently we hear stories from our clients about how the doctor was rude, didn’t fully examine them or was just plain not interested in what you have to say. Not all VA examiners are like this, but some are, and that is why we are here. Because…
4. We can get you an Independent Exam to combat what the VA says: We have a network of doctors set up that can independently evaluate you and give their honest medical opinion regarding your claims. This is in turn submitted to the VA to support your claim.
5. You may not even be there: On occasion, your exam will simply consist of a doctor reviewing your files. This is often referred to as a “chart review.” While it is not always an ideal situation, it does not mean that you will get denied. Sometimes in-person exams are not necessary.
6. It may not be at the VA: it’s possible to have a C&P exam at a non-VA location. For instance, the Winston Salem VA will occasionally contract their exams out to an organization called QTC. These are treated just like a regular C&P except they are just performed elsewhere.
7. You may not even know about the exam: I’ve spoken to Veterans who have received notices in the mail to attend an exam a week after the appointment. If this occurs, or if you can’t attend on the date assigned, you can make arrangements to reschedule your exam.

 Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/7-things-about-c-p-exams

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

VA Disability Advocate - Denied PTSD and MST Disability Claims

VA Disability Advocate - Filing PTSD and MST Claims

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after you have been through a trauma. A trauma is a shocking and dangerous event that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger.

Going through trauma is not rare. About 6 of every 10 men (or 60%) and 5 of every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one trauma in their lives. Women are more likely to experience sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Men are more likely to experience accidents, physical assault, combat, disaster, or to witness death or injury.

PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will develop PTSD, many of which are not under that person's control. For example, if you were directly exposed to the trauma or injured, you are more likely to develop PTSD.

  

FILING YOUR PTSD/MST CLAIM

To file a disability claim with the Veterans Administration (VA), you will need to submit a special application, VBA-21-0781a, and VA Form 21-526EZ, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension, to the VA.  You must also be seen by a psychiatrist at a VA medical facility so that the psychiatrist can diagnose you with PTSD.

To receive VA compensation for PTSD there are two items of evidence that must exist.  One without the other is worthless in establishing your claim to VA compensation for PTSD.

Stressor:  In a recent regulatory revision, the VA will accept as a stressor the fact that a veteran was in "fear of military or terrorist activity."  Likewise, any event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury could also be considered as a stressor.  That fear or event must be consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran's service.  Moreover, a VA psychiatrist or psychologist, or those working under contract to the VA, must confirm that the claimed stressor is adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

Diagnosis: A diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rendered by a psychiatrist.  Counseling reports prepared by Vet Centers may be considered in determining the degree of your impairment; however, there must be a diagnosis of PTSD made by a physician specialized in psychiatry. 

  

WRITING YOUR STRESSOR STATEMENT

It is important that your claim is prepared as well as possible. If improperly prepared or documented, your claim is likely to fail. Depending on why it failed, your claim may damage your ability to successfully appeal a bad decision or to win approval in a subsequent claim.  A claim that has been filed incorrectly is as useless to you and your family as a claim that was never filed.

 Writing a Stressor Statement:

 1. Writing a stressor statement can itself be stressful. In many cases, you’re being asked to recall—and record—events that you’d rather forget. This is true not only for veterans who served in a combat zone but also for veterans who suffered Military Sexual Trauma.

 2. Once you’ve described the stressful events, you’ll need to describe how they have affected you. Begin with a brief summary of your life before you entered the military. How well did you get along with members of your family? Did you have friends? A girlfriend or boyfriend? Did you go to school? Take part in school activities? Did you have a job? How well did you do it? Was religion important to you? If so, how? Did you play sports? Enjoy hobbies?

 3.  Next, describe the stressful events in chronological order. For each event, give the date and place it occurred, and the name of the unit you were attached to. Tell what happened in as much detail as possible, and tell how you felt about what happened. Were you angry? Fearful? Sad? Numb?

 4.  You’re not expected to have a perfect memory. If you can’t recall something, don’t hesitate to say so. But do include as much detail as you can. Are there specific sights and sounds you can’t forget? If so, write about them.

 * NOTE:  If you don’t remember precisely when something happened, do your best to give the VA an approximate time frame. They’ll need it if it becomes necessary to verify your story by researching military records. You may be able to peg the event to another occurrence in your life. Did it happen close in time to a birthday? An anniversary? A holiday? A death?

 5.  Most Important Tell the Truth! There’s no need to exaggerate or embellish. The facts are powerful enough. Let them speak for themselves.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/ptsd-mst-tbi-claims

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact

If you are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of your service-connected disabilities you may qualify for VA unemployability benefits.

VA Deisability Advocate - Veterans Unemployability TDIU

 

TDIU is a part of VA’s disability compensation program that allows the VA to pay certain Veterans compensation at the 100% rate, even though VA has not rated their service-connected disabilities at the 100% level. To file for TDIU the Veteran must complete a VA Form 21-8940

To qualify a Veteran must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his/her service-connected disabilities. (marginal employment, such as odd jobs, is not considered substantially gainful employment for VA purposes). Additionally, a Veteran must have:

• One service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent or more, OR
• Two or more service-connected disabilities, at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more.

Note: Veterans may have to complete an employment questionnaire once a year in order for VA to determine continued eligibility to IU.

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/tdiu-unemployability

If you were denied your VA disability claim in 2019, your time to appeal is running out. The more complicated your VA claim is, the better the evidence you are going to need to be successful, Get the facts! Don’t let the complicated VA disability benefits appeal process scare you. The VA Disability Advocate handles VA Disability Claims in Hawaii, Las Vegas, San Diego and nationally. Call: 702-209-5722, www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com Albert L. Thombs Jr., VA Certified Agent, OGC Accreditation Number: 45147

“Too many women veterans don't know that they are eligible for the full range of VA benefits.

Service For Women Veterans

“Too many women veterans don't know that they are eligible for the full range of VA benefits. Too many are unaware of special programs for them."

The Director of the Center for Women Veterans notes that the information will be helpful to male veterans as well. Topics include services available to women veterans; information about gender-specific services (including Pap smears, mammography, and prenatal and child care), evaluations for nursing home care, and employment options for women veterans. 

(WHC) provides a comprehensive model of care. Veterans can receive primary care, gender-specific care, mental health, & social work services in one location. The WHC offers a comfortable, safe & private environment. In addition, each Primary Care Clinic location has at least one designated Women’s Health Provider who offers primary care as well as routine gender-specific care. WH Services include but are not limited to:

  Treatment for acute and chronic diseases

•  Breast and cervical cancer screenings
•  Contraception
•  Hormone replacement therapy
•  Menstrual problems
•  Menopause
•  Urinary incontinence
•  Sexuality 

Clipped from: https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/womenvets

Albert Thombs - Las Vegas VA Disability Claims Agent
athombs@VADisabilityAdvocate.com

Visit www.VADisabilityAdvocate.com or Call 702-209-5722 

for your free consultation. Schedule your appointment at

https://www.vadisabilityadvocate.com/contact