VA OIG Finds Misdated PACT Act Claims Lead to Payout Problems

According to an investigation recently released by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs, problems related to misdating led to thousands of mistaken payouts on PACT Act claims since the law was passed in 2022. In many cases, these misdated claims resulted in recipients getting more money than they should have, but in other cases, these errors led to veterans missing out on benefits they were otherwise legally entitled to. The report blames the issues on the complexity of the law, which created confusion about when to calculate the effective start date for beginning compensation.

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Seven Service-Related Disabilities Commonly Seen in Veterans

It is estimated that there are approximately five million veterans who suffer from some kind of service-related disability, based on Department of Labor data. However, there is a substantial amount of variation in terms of what disabilities these veterans suffer, including both physical and psychological disabilities. Here are seven types of service-related disabilities that are commonly seen in military veterans who apply for VA disability benefits:

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“Benefit of the Doubt” Ruling Upheld by SCOTUS

In a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, it was ruled that the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims was not required to review use of the “benefit of the doubt” standard for most disability reviews. This standard is meant to typically favor veterans in cases where the evidence for or against a disability application is close. The decision means that it may be harder for many veterans to appeal their disability applications if they are denied.

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Five Mistakes Disabled Veterans Make When Applying For Benefits

Every year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives close to two million applications for disability benefits. However, a majority of these applications are denied, often due to entirely avoidable mistakes that lead to otherwise valid claims being dismissed. Here are five common mistakes that disabled veterans make when applying for disability benefits through the VA:

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Five Important Things to Know About Burn Pits

Since the passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 (also known as simply the PACT Act), an increasing number of veterans have been able to obtain benefits due to illnesses caused by burn pits. This was a major change for the VA, which often previously prevented veterans from obtaining benefits for burn pit-related illnesses. Here are five things you need to know about burn pits as a veteran:

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Seven Psychological Issues That May Qualify You For Veterans Disabililty Benefits

Veterans who suffer from psychological disorders are potentially able to qualify for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Even if their psychological issues did not begin with their service, they may be eligible for disability benefits if their condition worsened as a result of their experiences serving in the military. Here are seven psychological disorders that may qualify you for veterans disability benefits:

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VA Eases Requirements for Post-9/11 Veterans to Obtain Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (also known as the VA) recently announced that it would be easing the restrictions for veterans from post-9/11 wars to obtain disability benefits for certain medical conditions. The changes to these rules are meant to help veterans who may have struggled to obtain benefits previously due to the nature of their condition, specifically those who were exposed to toxic chemicals during their service. As a result, many more people may be able to obtain benefits than previously could. Continue reading “VA Eases Requirements for Post-9/11 Veterans to Obtain Benefits”

What is the PACT Act, and How Can it Benefit You?

The PACT Act of 2022 is one of the most critical laws that has been passed in recent years to address the issues faced by veterans. Thanks to the measures it put into place, many more veterans are now potentially eligible for benefits when they might not have been previously. But what exactly is the PACT Act, and how can it potentially benefit you?

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What Veterans Need to Know About Their Disability Rating

If you are a veteran with a disability, then there is a good chance you have had to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs (also known as the VA) to obtain a disability rating. This rating is essential, and yet many veterans do not understand what it means or how it is calculated. Here is what you need to know about the VA disability rating as a disabled veteran:

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VA Extends Presumptive Period For Gulf War Syndrome to 2026

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it will be extending the presumptive period for conditions related to service in the Persian Gulf War to December 31, 2026. This will allow people suffering from these conditions, informally referred to as “Gulf War Syndrome,” to more easily access disability benefits. It may also help people who may previously have been denied benefits due to symptoms appearing after the expiration of the previous presumptive period.

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Main Office

Additional Locations

MANHATTAN
Appointments available in our Manhattan office.
(One block away from Penn Station)

NASSAU COUNTY
1205 Franklin Avenue
Suite 330
Garden City, NY 11530

By Appointment Only

EASTERN SUFFOLK COUNTY
524 East Main Street
Suite 202
Riverhead, NY 11901

By Appointment Only
(Opposite Social Security Office)

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