Get ready for a boost in your monthly VA payments! Starting in January 2024, veterans receiving disability compensation and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can expect a 3.2% increase in their payments. This Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) is in line with the recent increase announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to match inflation. The 3.2% rise will apply to several common VA benefits including disability compensation, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), pension, survivors pension, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This increase will be automatic for those already receiving benefits, and pending claims and new enrollments will also receive the higher 2024 rates. Don’t miss out on this important assistance for the veteran community. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and secure the full entitlements connected to your service.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently finalized an update to the rating criteria used for evaluating mental health conditions when deciding veterans' disability claims and compensation. This update focuses on more accurately capturing veterans’...

Bob awoke with a familiar dread - the pounding was starting behind his eyes again. As he slowly lifted his head from the pillow, the jackhammering pain intensified, his vision narrowing to a tunnel as the migraine took hold. He glanced at the half-finished birdhouses...

Respiratory diseases have become an increasing concern for veterans of recent wars and conflicts. Studies show connections between lung disease rates and certain environmental exposures during military deployment. This article examines three major exposure risks faced...

Obesity is a growing health concern for veterans. Currently, around 73% of veterans are overweight or obese

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder in Veteran Women: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a distressing condition for many women veterans. FSAD involves difficulty attaining or maintaining arousal during sexual activity. Up to 20% of...

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It is a common condition that can be caused by both psychological and physical factors. Veterans with service-connected disabilities...

Leveraging the Power of Lay Evidence for Your VA Disability Claim. Don’t underestimate the impact of lay evidence in supporting your VA disability claim. While medical evidence is crucial, lay evidence offers a unique perspective on how your disability truly affects your daily life. From the observations of spouses, family members, friends, co-workers, clergy, and fellow service members, lay evidence offers firsthand accounts that paint a vivid picture of your condition. By humanizing your struggles and providing insights that clinical files alone cannot capture, compelling lay evidence strengthens your case and helps the VA fully understand the effects of your disability. Ask those closest to you for sincere and detailed lay statements, focusing on personal experiences and the long-term manifestations of your disability in everyday settings. Including supportive lay statements alongside medical records creates a more holistic and believable claim.

beyond 100% disability pay with SMC special monthly compensation

Diagnosis & Evaluation for Tinnitus Upon suspecting tinnitus, the first step is seeking a medical diagnosis. Several tests can determine the presence and severity of tinnitus, such as audiograms or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing (1). Additionally,...