Wednesday, July 27, 2011

AO at Korean Camp Carroll

by Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

Many veterans believe that they were exposed to Agent Orange (AO) outside of Vietnam. Those veterans want the VA's presumptive illnesses to apply to them. The VA and DOD have limited the areas where it is recognized that AO was used and exposure was possible. Some veterans are trying to get the Korean government to pressure the US to recognize that AO was more widely recognized than just in the DMZ. Read about its use and burial at Camp Carroll.

http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/korea/2-veterans-urge-s-korean-lawmakers-to-pressure-u-s-over-agent-orange-1.150062

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

Monday, July 25, 2011

Competency Tests for VA

by Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyers

You have to pass a bar exam to become a lawyer. To be a claims agent you have to pass an accreditation exam. Both are required to take continuing education to stay VA accredited. Now Congress is considering a bill that would require an annual competency test for veterans’ claims processors. Those opposed to the idea argued that such testing and retraining would cause the claim backload to grow even worse. I doubt that Congress will ultimately pass the legislation but the idea, and the need for it, is worth exploring. VA leadership should consider this idea and implement it voluntarily. Keep an eye on the legislation and read more below.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/07/military-bill-would-test-competency-of-va-claims-workers-072211/

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Veterans Need Jobs

by Jim Fausone
Veteran Disability Lawyer

With the draw down of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is important to find our veterans jobs. The unemployment rate is above 9% but in many communities and urban centers the rate is closer to 25%.

If you want to keep vets out of the frustrating VA system, find them good jobs and benefits. The fact that veterans are great employees is not lost on employers. The US energy industry may be a perfect fit. The industry says it's looking for as many as 200,000 veterans over the next five years or so. Point a returning veteran to the attached article and help him find a job.

http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/energy-companies-say-they-ve-got-jobs-for-vets-1.148922


To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Never Too Late

by Jim Fausone
Veterans Disability Lawyer

Independence Day has come and gone. Hopefully you spent it remembering those that fought to protect our freedoms.

My family once again participated in the Northville, Michigan July 4th parade. This year had the National Guard Army Band, a fly over by 2 A10 Warthogs, the VFW and AMVETS, floats and bands.

One of the special moments was the pinning of the Purple Heart and Combat Medic medals on a Korean War vet. He had waited almost 60 years to receive these recognitions. His wife, a nurse, contacted Brig. General Carol Ann Fausone (ret), also a nurse, for assistance in getting these medals. His name change after service from Conrad Podolski to Dowel created confusion in the records department of DOD. But proof of the name change, buddy statements of his injury in Korea, and recovery in Japan made the medals ceremony possible – it only took 18 months to convince DOD to issue the medals.

The community turned out in full force and did it up right. As General Carol Ann said “It is never too late to say Thank You to our service men and women.” This ceremony was picked up by the media including the Detroit Free Press, FOX Detroit, Army Times, etc. The Free Press has some nice video. If you would like to read about it click on the link below.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107030504

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Court Issues Stay, Pending Result of Henderson

by Kristina Derro
Veteran Disability Lawyer

A recent order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims put a stay on all cases in which the VA alleged that the Veteran did not appeal a denied Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision within the 120-day deadline. A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, Henderson v. Shinseki, 131 S. Ct. 1197 (2011), held that the 120-day deadline which the Veteran has to appeal a denied Board decision is not jurisdictional. Therefore, the Supreme Court found that the 120-day deadline is subject to equitable tolling.

What this means, is that if the Veteran had a legitimate reason for not being able to appeal the decision within the 120-day period, the Court will have to consider it. Right now, the Court put all the cases on hold while the judges confer and issue a decision in Henderson about what facts will constitute a “good excuse” for equitable tolling.

To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability lawyer, Veterans disability attorney, Veterans lawyer, or Veterans attorney call 1.800.693.4800 or visit Legalhelpforveterans.com