What to Know About “Claim Sharks” and Unauthorized VA Advisors
Veterans who may become eligible for disability benefits from the VA may get targeted by various scams designed to defraud veterans of money or VA benefits. One common scam targeting disabled veterans includes “claim sharks” – individuals and companies that claim to advise and assist veterans with filing VA disability claims. These parties exploit the…
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How the VA Calculates Back Pay in Disability Claims
After filing a VA disability claim or an appeal of an unfavorable decision on your disability claim, you may become entitled to an award of back pay of disability benefits. Back pay ensures you receive the full compensation you should have received, but for the delays in processing your disability claim. But how does the…
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What Are the Proposed Changes for VA Disability in 2025?
In 2025, veterans could see various changes to the VA’s disability benefits system that may affect how veterans can obtain benefits and what financial support or services they receive. Revisions to Disability Rating Criteria In 2022, the VA proposed changes to various disability rating criteria. Because the official disability rating criteria are part of the…
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Understanding the 2.5% Increase in VA Disability Compensation for 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs imposed a 2.5 percent increase in VA disability benefits for 2025. Veterans who receive monthly disability payments should understand how this increase affects their benefits. Understanding COLA and How It Matters The government imposes cost-of-living adjustments to many benefits it pays to citizens. A cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) seeks to adjust…
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Protecting Yourself from VA Claim Scams and Predatory Practices
Because VA disability benefits can provide disabled veterans with critical financial support, some scammers prey on veterans seeking help securing benefits or financial assistance. As a disabled veteran, recognizing common scams and predatory practices and knowing what actions to take to protect yourself can help you avoid becoming a victim of scammers. Common VA Scams…
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Understanding VA Combined Ratings
Veterans who have disabilities caused by injuries or illnesses resulting from their military service may qualify for disability benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs, with those payments based on a veteran’s disability rating. However, veterans who have two or more qualifying conditions will receive a combined rating, which may increase their benefit payments…
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Potential Effects of Proposed Job Cuts at the VA on Disability Claims Processing
The Trump Administration recently announced plans to reorganize the Department of Veterans Affairs, which may include eliminating over 80,000 jobs. The VA’s chief of staff advised department officials that the administration plans to return the VA to its 2019 staffing levels, which would mean terminating tens of thousands of employees hired during the previous presidential…
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Trump’s Fork in the Road: What It Means for VA Disability Benefits in 2025
As the Trump Administration begins implementing its agenda, which involves significantly reducing government spending, the President must consider what his broad policy agenda may mean for VA disability benefits. Will disability benefits also face cuts or reduced access? Understanding the Trump Administration’s Agenda One of the primary objectives of the Trump Administration involves significantly reducing…
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How Much Will VA Disability Increase in 2025?
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides financial benefits to former servicemembers who developed a medical condition or disability due to qualifying military service. However, benefit payments typically increase annually to ensure that benefit rates keep up with inflation. By law, the VA must match the cost-of-living adjustments made to Social Security benefits for VA disability…
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New VA Rule Expands Presumptive Service Connection for Leukemias, Myelomas, and Related Conditions
The VA has announced an interim final rule (IFR) to establish presumptive service connection for acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myelofibrosis. This change recognizes the link between these serious health conditions and exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) – fine particles often present in the air during deployments to regions…
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