Post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe mental health condition that many veterans suffer from after experiencing traumatic events during their military service. This debilitating condition can deeply affect your quality of life, rendering you nearly incapable of performing regular tasks or maintaining steady employment. Therefore, it is critical that any veteran who is suffering from PTSD receive the appropriate benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to aid their recovery and provide financial stability. While VA disability benefits are available for PTSD diagnoses, navigating th ..read more

In a move to address the alarming rates of veteran suicides, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) introduced a significant program in January 2023. Under the new policy, eligible veterans in acute suicidal crises can seek free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care center. As the first year of the emergency suicide prevention program concludes, the VA reports that 49,714 veterans have used the service. This translates to over $64 million in saved healthcare costs. The initiative covers a range of services, including emergency room visits, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residen ..read more

New ICD-10 Blast Injury Diagnostic Code | Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC Recently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a new diagnostic code that will help promote the care and treatment of veterans who have experienced blast injuries to the brain. This new code is the result of a collaboration between the VA, the Department of Defense, and the Military Health system, and is the first of its kind. The 2023 ICD-10-CM code updates a series of codes for “S06.8A – Primary blast injury of the brain, not elsewhere classified.” This will allow a physician to bill for services and radiolo ..read more

VA Audiology Examination Tips | Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC As a veteran, you may have to go through an audiology examination at a VA clinic when filing for hearing loss. This may be required to determine your eligibility for benefits, or to assess your hearing needs. It’s important to understand what to expect and prepare accordingly so that your experience is as successful and stress-free as possible. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your VA audiology examination: Bring the required documentation. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, such as medical records, hearing ..read more

Exposure to various toxins produced by open burn pits, contaminated water, radiation, Agent Orange, and other chemicals, has dogged the U.S. military for years. Service members have returned home and discovered they have contracted an illness that may have been caused by these toxic exposures. The PACT Act has addressed the gap between exposure and treatment for service members and their survivors. Veterans may be screened at any time of the year by their VA healthcare provider. After their initial screening, they are offered further screening at least once every five years. To date, the Depar ..read more

The usual definition of a traumatic brain injury is laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is defined as the brain experiencing a disruption to its normal function. It is typically caused by a jolt, blow, bump to the head, or a penetrating head injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), although often linked with military combat, car accidents, or falling accidents, they can also occur while playing contact sports, such as hockey, soccer, and football. Many Americans are aware of the high incidence of TBI in football players. TBI is also often referred to as a type o ..read more

As of January 17, 2023, any veteran who struggles with suicidal thoughts and actions can seek emergency services at a VA or non-VA healthcare facility. There is no cost involved. Services received can include inpatient, or crisis residential care for up to thirty days, and up to three months for outpatient care. A veteran does not need to be enrolled in the VA system to access this assistance.  This move to expand healthcare to suicidal veterans means care is now available for roughly nine million vets who are not currently enrolled in the VA. “There are a lot of vets needing help, and th ..read more

Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022: What to Know | Deanne Bonner Simpson – Legal Help For Veterans, PLLC On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the SFC. Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics – or PACT Act of 2022. The bill affords veterans their earned health care and disability benefits under the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this article, we will be examining who is eligible for VA disability benefits or healthcare with the passing of this bill. Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 The bill was named in honor of SFC. Heath Robinson of the Ohio Nationa ..read more

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is an annual campaign to increase understanding and awareness of suicide, its warning signs, and how to get help. Suicide is a major public health problem in the United States. Each year, suicide kills more people than homicide. It is especially high among certain groups, such as Veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with mental health conditions. There are many ways to get involved in the month of September. You can learn the warning signs of suicide, how to talk to someone who may be considering it, and where to find prevention ..read more

As a veteran, it’s unfortunate that one may face homelessness at some point. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continually pushes for national homeless prevention. The VA coordinates initiatives by finding ways to further the provisions of veteran legal services. Recently, the VA found that under section 4202 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D., Veterans Health Care, and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, legal services for homeless veterans and veterans at-risk for homelessness (LSV-Homeless Grant Program) would be eligible for up to 75 grants a year. The grants must at least ha ..read more