VA Appeals Reform: RAMP in Review (Jan. 2019)
What is Appeals Reform? What is the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP)? How many claims have been transferred to RAMP so far? How long are they taking? What is CCK’s…
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Mental Health Ratings at VA
What does VA consider a mental illness? Mental health conditions VA will NOT rate (and can substance abuse be service connected?) What kinds of evidence does VA look at to…
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Top 3 Benefits Issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2019
Government Shutdown Appeals Reform Implementation Supreme Court VA Cases Gray v. Wilkie – Blue Water Navy Veterans and the VA Manual Kisor v. Wilkie – Auer/Seminole Rock and the interpretation…
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VA Claims and Appeals Backlog (Dec. 2018 Update)
Introduction 1) What is the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)? 2) Claims Backlog vs. Appeals Backlog THE VA CLAIMS BACKLOG 3) What counts as a backlogged claim? 4) Causes & Peak…
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How to Use Lay Statements & Buddy Statements
What is lay evidence? How can it be helpful in VA claims? What are you trying to establish with a lay statement? Can only veterans write lay statements? How do…
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Understanding Your BVA Decision
1) How is the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) different from the rest of the VA claims process? 2) What are Board decisions based on? “De Novo” Review 3) New…
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VA Back Pay, or Retroactive Benefits
What is back pay, or retroactive benefits? Why Effective Dates Matter Exceptions to Effective Date Rules Increased Ratings & Back Pay Rating Reductions & Back Pay Effective Dates When Reopening…
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Appealing to the CAVC
1. What is the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims? What is the CAVC, or the Court? 2. The CAVC appeals system different from that of the VA? 3. How…
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