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Recent Blog Posts
Working and VA Disability: Can You Keep 100% Rating and Still Work? - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
Ed breaks down the three ways you can potentially still work and keep your 100% disability rating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44jtirWncVQ
Audio only version:
Full Transcript:
Ed Farmer [00:00:00]:
Clients usually ask me, Ed, if you get me a hundred percent rating, can I still work? And the answer is yes. But there's some considerations you should take into account. Let's get into it. Hi, I'm Edward Farmer. I'm a disabled veteran and a VA disability appeals attorney.
Ed Farmer [00:00:17]:
I'm creating this podcast, VA Claims Made Easy, to help veterans navigate their own.
Ed Farmer [00:00:23]:
Way through the VA disability system. So there's several ways you could be 100%. One way is to have one rating at 100% or a combined rating at 100%. In either one of these scenarios, there is no VA rule or regulation against working. You could make a million dollars a year, and you could still keep your 100% from the VA. Something you got to keep in mind is many of these disabilities are rated based on your occupational impairment caused from that disability. For instance, to get 100% rating for PTSD, you need total occupational impairment. Now, you could have 100% rating for PTSD and still go out and work.
Six Tips on How to Ace your VA C&P Exam - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
Ed breaks down five tips (and one bonus tip) on how to ace your VA Compensation and Pension exam.
Audio only version:
VA Forms from this video: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-10206/
Full Transcript:
Ed Farmer [00:00:00]:
So you filed your claims, and now you're being scheduled for exams. Today, I'm going to give you five tips on how to ace your VA CMP exam. Stick around to the end. I give you one bonus tip. Hi, I'm Edward Farmer. I'm a disabled veteran and a VA disability appeals attorney. I'm creating this podcast, VA Claims Made Easy to help veterans navigate their own way through the VA disability assistance. So you guys have filed your claims, and now you're being scheduled for exams.
Using Favorable Findings for Maximum VA Compensation - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
Did you know you can maximize your VA benefits? Learn how to use favorable findings to get an earlier effective date and put more money in your pocket!
Audio only version:
Full Transcript:
Ed Farmer [00:00:00]:
Hey, guys. You want to maximize the amount of money you put in your pocket? Today, I'm going to teach you how to use favorable findings to push back your VA effectiveness. Hi, I'm Edward Farmer. I'm a disabled veteran and a VA disability appeals attorney. I'm creating this podcast, VA Claims Made Easy, to help veterans navigate their own way through the VA disability system. It. Welcome back to VA made Easy. I'm Ed Farmer.
Ed Farmer [00:00:29]:
Thank you for all your subscribers, all the likes. Keep those comments coming. Today we're going to discuss how to get an earlier effective date using Favorable findings. The last major update to the VA appeal system came in 2017 with the Appeals Modernization Act, or the AMA. One of the many changes that AMA made is the notice requirements of decision letters. Now, the VA has to specify what favorable findings they made in terms of your decision. Now, guys, just want to clarify that these changes come to decisions that were decided after February 19, 2019. So what is a favorable finding? The VA setting, what elements of service connection you have already met.
How to Appeal with the VA (Three Appeals Tracks) - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
Your VA Claim got denied? There are three appeals tracks under the Appeals Modernization Act. Find out whether to use the supplemental claims, go to the higher review, or all the way to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Ed also touches on the split appeal and when is the right time to use that instead.
Audio only version:
VA forms from this episode:
To provide new evidence after denial use Form 20-0995 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-20-0995-are.pdf
To apply for VA benefits for a new condition use Form 20-526EZ https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf
To initiate higher level review use Form 20-0996 https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-20-0996/
To initiate a Veterans' Board Appeal use Form 10182 https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10182/
Exploring the Three Lanes of VA Appeals
Introduction:
Welcome back to VA Made Easy, your go-to resource for veterans seeking to successfully navigate the complex world of VA disability claims. In this blog post, we will delve into the three distinct appeal tracks provided by the Appeals Modernization Act. Understanding the key differences between these tracks and knowing when to utilize each one is crucial for veterans aiming to secure their rightful VA disability benefits.
1. The Supplemental Claim Track:
The supplemental claim track is designed for veterans who have obtained new and relevant evidence to support their claim. This evidence can either prove or disprove a particular aspect of the case. It's important to note that the evidence must be new and previously unconsidered by the VA. Some issues that align well with the supplemental claim track include:
- Rejected service-connection claims that are over a year old, now backed by new evidence.
- Service-connection claims denied over a year ago, where changes in the law now support your case.
- A denied claim that's now supported by a new theory of entitlement.
- Within the last year, a denied service-connection claim with fresh, relevant evidence.
Unlocking Earlier Effective Dates Using Favorable Findings in VA Disability Claims
Introduction:
Welcome to VA Made Easy, your trusted resource for veterans aiming to navigate the intricacies of VA disability claims successfully. I'm Ed Farmer, and in today's insightful blog post, we're uncovering a unique strategy that could help you secure an earlier effective date for your VA disability benefits by leveraging favorable findings.
Understanding the Power of Favorable Findings:
Since the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) in 2017, the VA appeal system has seen significant changes. One pivotal shift is the requirement for VA decision letters to explicitly outline "favorable findings" related to your claims. These findings, often tucked away in the depths of the decision, highlight aspects like current disabilities or in-service events that the VA acknowledges. Once the VA establishes these favorable findings, they become binding for subsequent adjudicators-unless clear and convincing evidence suggests otherwise. These findings act as a safeguard, preventing the VA from reversing their decisions.
How to Establish Service Connection for Sleep Apnea in Your VA Claim
Welcome to VA Made Easy!
In this blog, we're diving into an important topic that affects many veterans-sleep apnea. If you've been struggling to connect your sleep apnea to your military service, stay tuned as we break down the two main ways to establish service connection and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
**Understanding Sleep Apnea and Service Connection:**
Sleep apnea is a common concern among veterans, often linked to the use of CPAP, APAP, or BiPAP machines. However, many veterans face challenges when it comes to proving the connection between sleep apnea and their military service. In this blog, we'll explore two crucial ways to establish this connection.
**Direct Service Connection:**
Direct service connection involves establishing that your sleep apnea either began or was diagnosed during your active duty. Despite some misconceptions, this is a legitimate approach to linking sleep apnea to service. Buddy statements from fellow service members who observed your sleep apnea symptoms can be a powerful tool in this process.
How to Maximize Your VA Disability Rating for Migraines (Video)
In this episode, Ed breaks down the VA's disability rating for migraines and steps to get to 50%. If you suffer from migraines, this video is for you. It breaks down the four elements you need to pay attention to, and shares examples and tips for proving migraine symptoms to the VA.
Audio only version:
VA Forms mentioned in this episode:
- To apply for VA benefits for a new condition use Form 20-526EZ: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf
-To provide new evidence if it's been less than a year since you submitted your claim use Form 20-0995 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-20-0995-are.pdf
Full transcript:
Ed Farmer [00:00:25]:
How to Win Your Sleep Apnea Claim - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
In this episode, you will learn about sleep apnea, how to link it to your service through either direct service connection or connecting it secondarily to an already existing condition.
Audio only version:
VA Forms mentioned in this episode:
- To apply for VA benefits for a new condition use Form 20-526EZ: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf
-To provide new evidence via a statement after denial use Form 20-0995: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-20-0995-are.pdf
Full transcript:
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:23:08
Hey guys. Welcome back to VA made easy. If you missed the last episode, go ahead check it out about the Pact act and how you could use it to increase your rating. This episode, we're gonna talk about sleep apnea. I see a lot of veterans applying for sleep apnea, and I get why if you use a CPAP machine or APAP or BiPAP, I mean, you're entitled to a 50% rating.
Pact Act - a Short Guide for Veterans - VA Made Easy Podcast (Video)
In this episode, you will learn what the Pact Act is, what is covered under it, and how you can use it to win your VA claim.
Audio only version:
VA Forms from this episode:
To describe your symptoms use Form 21-4138 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-4138-are.pdf
To allow the VA to obtain your medical records use Form 21-4142 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-4142-are.pdf
To provide new evidence after denial use Form 20-0995 https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-20-0995-are.pdf
To apply for VA benefits for a new condition use Form 20-526EZ https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf
Full Transcript:
00:00:06:19 - 00:00:29:09
Hey, guys. Welcome to the VA made easy. Today we're going to talk about the Pact act that I'm sure many of you have heard of the pact. The received letter from the VA encourages you to file claim, but you're not quite sure what it does or how it works. So on this episode, I'm going to teach you about the pact that how you could use it to increase your VA disability rating.
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