» Veterans Law Updates

"To the Best of my Knowledge" - The case against attorney use of VA Form 21-4138.

In a recent court appeal, the VA was relying on the unsigned and unsworn statement of a random government bureaucrat. This bureaucrat was “testifying” to the lack of existence of any evidence that my client was exposed to the herbicide ag… Read More
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Case Review: #17-0306, Schmoker v. Wilkie (Is Hearing Loss a VA disability even if its not compensable?)

What is the Deep Issue in the Case? {Several issues were raised in the briefing of this case – this review focuses in on one: continuity of symptomatology for hearing loss} A veteran is entitled to service connection for loss of hearing if his… Read More
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Yes, you should challenge all VA Medical Examiners' Competence.

In today’s post, I am going to teach you how to become a better advocate by challenging the VA Medical Examiner’s competence – or at least rebutting the presumption of competence in your client’s BVA appeals. VA claims and app… Read More
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Episode 006: CAVC Oral Argument: Atencio v. Wilkie, 16-1561 (April 26, 2018)(Gulf War Syndrome presumptions and GERD)

What the ‘MUCMI’ is going on with GERD? PREVIEW OF THE CASE: General Overview of the Medicine Some terms you will hear in this argument: GERD is Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder. GERD can often – but not always -result from a dysfu… Read More
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Episode 005: CAVC Oral Argument: Simmons v. Wilkie (16-3039)(CAVC Application of Harmless Error Rule)

General Overview of Harmless Error law. The major question in this case is how the CAVC should apply the harmless error rule when it might involve making findings of fact. The Court stated in its supplemental briefing order that it “…has… Read More
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Episode 004: CAVC Oral Argument - Johnson v. Wilkie, #16-3808 (April 24, 2018) Successive Rating Criteria for Migraines)

General Preview of the Case: This is a complex case involving the complex issue of “successive rating criteria”, with a lot of regulatory interpretation and factual application issues at play. There is one, and possibly more, diagnostic c… Read More
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Episode 003: CAVC Oral Argument: Spellers v. Wilkie, 16-4053 (April 19, 2018)

Issue for Oral Argument: General Overview of the Law When a veteran’s disability does not meet the requirements for the next higher schedular rating, but the evidence indicates his or her disability is more severe than the current rating, a veteran… Read More
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FCOA Precedent Alert: Saunders v. Wilkie, #2017-1466 (A Veteran can service connect stand-alone pain)

What is the Deep Issue in the Case? This case involves the question of whether a veteran can service connect stand alone pain as a disability for the purposes of VA disability compensation. The basic VA disability compensation statute is clear: the V… Read More
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Case Review: #16-3564, Gerhardson v. Shulkin (Can Inadequate Opinion make Inadequate Reasons and Bases harmless error)

What is the Deep Issue in the Case? {Several issues were raised in the briefing of this case – this review focuses in on one: the CAVC harmless error rule.} When the BVA issues a remand order, the veteran or surviving spouse is entitled to subs… Read More
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PRECEDENTIAL FCOA CASE ALERT: Bly v. Shulkin (17-1287)(EAJA petition deadline at CAVC)

What is the Deep Issue in the Case? This case involves the deadline to file an EAJA Petition at the CAVC. The Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”) requires applications for attorney fees must be filed within 30 days of a court’s fin… Read More
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