Military service can have a lasting psychological impact, making it more difficult for Veterans to return to civilian life. However, not all disabilities are clearly discernable. Some conditions leave no physical marks but nonetheless impair Veterans’ quality of life. Insomnia, alongside other sleep-related disorders, can make readapting to an ordinary routine all the more challenging.  Understanding Insomnia Insomnia is a sleep-related disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. People who have been diagnosed with insomnia may feel tired during the day, complicating t ..read more

Hip-related complaints are common among older adults. For many people, hip pain can start slowly but become a chronic and borderline debilitating condition. Compared to the general public, Veterans face an elevated risk of developing significant and potentially disabling hip injuries. U.S. Military Veterans and Hip Pain Hip injuries can be acute or chronic, appearing overnight or troubling Veterans for years. While hip injuries have a variety of potential causes, they are often traumatic in origin. Veterans could develop hip pain if they: Served overseas Were injured in combat Held a physical ..read more

Although the general public often thinks of Agent Orange exposure as a problem affecting Veterans who were stationed in Vietnam, Veterans who served in Thailand know that they've also suffered serious health problems due to toxic herbicide exposure. Now, the PACT Act allows these Veterans to more easily access the VA disability benefits they need to provide for themselves and their families.  Qualifying for Presumptive Exposure On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our PACT Act into law. This legislation, formally known as the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinso ..read more

Veterans can obtain benefits, not only from the VA but from individual states as well. Each state has unique benefits for Veterans residing there, some based on a disability rating, and some not. Virginia offers Veterans a wide range of benefits, from education and job placement programs to free hunting and fishing licenses. Here, you will find a list of some, but not all, of the benefits that may be available to veterans in Virginia.  Veteran Income Benefits Virginia offers veterans many tax exemptions and deductions. Any VA pension, survivor's benefits payments, or disability benefits a ..read more

While it can often be difficult to determine what caused a person's cancer diagnosis, there is strong evidence linking Camp Lejeune's water contamination to increased rates of cancer. Water samples from the area have shown high levels of cancer-causing substances such as trichloroethylene, tetrachlorethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene. In addition, a study released in 2014 by the Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found that Camp Lejeune had a 10% higher death rate from all types of cancer than Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps base in California that had no water con ..read more

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, signed by President Biden in August 2022 as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, gives victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune the right to seek compensation from the federal government for the harm they've suffered. It does not affect a Veteran's right to VA disability benefits but may open up an additional avenue for compensation for the harm caused by exposure to contaminated drinking water. What Is the Significance of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act? The Camp Lejeune Justice Act applies to anyone who lived, served, or worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune ..read more

If you’re a Veteran exposed to Agent Orange during military service, you could be diagnosed with the painful skin condition known as porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) years after leaving the armed forces. In addition, surviving spouses, children, and parents of Veterans who have died from PCT could be eligible for survivors' benefits. What Is Porphyria Cutanea Tarda? PCT is part of a group of disorders known as porphyrias. A person with PCT has difficulty producing an enzyme called uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD), which is vital in the body’s production of hemoglobin. While the disease is pr ..read more

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America, but its symptoms can prevent patients from working for years before it becomes fatal. If you’re a Veteran who developed ischemic heart disease, you could claim VA Disability Benefits to pay for your income losses—especially if you were exposed to dangerous chemicals during your military service. What Is Ischemic Heart Disease? Ischemic heart disease is a catch-all term for many conditions, including coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and myocardial ischemia. Patients suffer a hardening of th ..read more

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a physical disability common among Veterans. It can cause a person to have excessive, persistent worrying that can interfere with everyday activities and cause both physical and psychological symptoms, such as: Irritability Fatigue Problems with sleep Difficulty concentrating Headaches Pain in the shoulders, neck, and back Those who suffer from GAD may have difficulties controlling their worrying and anxiety and may be overly concerned with their health, finances, family, and job. When GAD makes it challenging to work or perform daily activities, a Veter ..read more

The VA appeals process is complex and it can be difficult to navigate. Whether a veteran should file a supplemental claim, a Notice of Disagreement or get a Higher Level Review largely depends on why the veteran is appealing and their specific circumstances and goals. Deciding which path to take an appeal is an important step in the process and each has benefits and drawbacks. Certain types of appeals are decided faster, and some have higher rates of favorable outcomes than others. Here, our Veterans benefits and appeals attorney shares some insight into each option. Click below to see Sean Ke ..read more