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Veterans Disability Benefits Blog

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10 November
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Veterans to See Solid 3.4% VA Pay Increase In 2024

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in News
veterans learning about 2024 va pay increase

Good news for veterans on the horizon. Those receiving VA disability compensation are in for a boost—a 3.4% VA pay increase in 2024 to be exact. To put that in dollars, for every $1,000 a veteran gets in benefits, they will see an extra $34 in 2024. Spouses and family members receiving survivor benefits are also set to see the same increase in their monthly payments. This year's uptick might not match the notable 8.7% increase driven by inflation last year, but even modest increases are important in helping our veterans keep up with rising prices. At the Rep for Vets,...

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11 October
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A VA Tech Issue Caused 57,000 Disability Claims to Vanish. What Happened?

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in News
Veteran struggling with VA.gov website

Last month, tens of thousands of veterans received surprise letters from the VA informing them that a disability claim they made at some unspecified point in the past was not processed. The letter read in part, “The Department of Veterans Affairs is sending this letter in response to an issue identified which may have resulted in a failure to establish a claim based on your past submission through…VA.gov.” The vague wording of the letter left many veterans to speculate on what claim the letter referenced, if they had done something wrong, and, most importantly, how much disability compensation they might have missed...

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03 August
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From Battle Scars to Benefits: Understanding the Top 11 VA Disability Claims

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Getting Started
Veteran getting assitance with a VA disability claim

In 2022, the federal government paid out over $120 billion in VA disability claims to almost 6 million veterans, according to the latest VA Benefits Report.  Now, that benefits report on is one long and wordy beast, but don't worry. We've combed through it, and today we’re breaking down the 11 most common disabilities for which veterans may claim VA benefits. They include things like tinnitus (ringing in the ears), knee and ankle limitations, hearing loss, PTSD, migraines, lumbosacral or cervical strain, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, scars that impair your ability to work, and diabetes mellitus. If you've got any of...

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30 June
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The Hidden Connection: Agent Orange Exposure and Kidney Disease

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Agent Orange

Decades may have passed since the Vietnam War, but the battle for disability benefits tied to diseases caused by Agent Orange exposure continues for some veterans. Surprisingly, kidney disease has yet to receive presumptive status, leaving many veterans wondering why this is the case. In this article, we delve into VA documents and epidemiological studies to explore the connection between Agent Orange and kidney disease.  We also look at ways veterans can secure disability benefits for kidney disease they suspect is connected to Agent Orange exposure, through secondary service-connection. Agent Orange Benefits for Vietnam Veterans During the Vietnam War, millions of individuals were...

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24 May
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How to Spot Predatory Claims Agents and Protect Your Disability Benefits

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Getting Started
Veteran evaluating Trajector Medical for disability claim assistance

When it comes to tackling the adventure of filing a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans have a number of options. If you have a knack for deciphering fine print and embarking on epic quests to track down paperwork scattered across various military and medical offices, you can file it yourself.  If that’s not your forte and you prefer a companion on this journey, you can call upon a registered Veterans Service Organization (VSO) for assistance. They’ll do it for free, but you might end up waiting a long time, and you may not get the personalized attention...

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25 April
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New Study Finds Alarming Cancer Rates Among Air Force Veterans. What’s Being Done About It?

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Service-Connected Exposure

An alarming new Department of Defense study revealed that Air Force service members and veterans have higher cancer rates than their peers in other branches of the military. Of the over 900,000 service members who were surveyed between 1992 to 2017, aircrew service members had much higher cancer rates over the same 24 year period. The study found elevated cancer rates for air crews and ground crews alike. Pilots faced an 87% higher rate of melanoma, a type of skin cancer; a 39% higher rate of thyroid cancer; and a 24% higher rate of all types of cancer. Ground crews faced a...

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09 March
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Don’t Miss Out on These Sweet Tax Breaks for Veterans in 2023!

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Getting Started
A dessert enthusiast demonstrating how tax benefits work for veterans

Tax breaks are one of the more overlooked slices of the veteran’s benefits pie. Sure, it may not be the star of the show, but that slice of pie (or cake, if you prefer) can be pretty darn tasty and filling, and it's included with your meal! Likewise, tax breaks may not be the most glamorous of benefits, but they can help veterans save money and reduce their tax liability. Plus, who doesn't love saving money on taxes? So, let's give tax breaks the credit they deserve and not overlook this tasty slice of the veterans’ benefits pie. We start with an...

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03 February
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Can You Receive VA Disability and Military Retirement Pay at the Same Time?

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Getting Started
Retired veteran teaching grandson how to fish

Wondering if it's possible to receive VA disability and military retirement pay without sacrificing one for the other? The answer is yes, it is possible, but only under certain conditions. Retired veterans who have a disability rating of 50% or higher, or qualify for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), are eligible to receive both benefits in full. Veterans who have a disability rating lower than 50% will have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of their VA compensation, dollar for dollar, unless they qualify for CRSC. We think this is an important topic that doesn't get enough attention. We've brought together...

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03 January
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Everything You Need To Know About How The VA Determines Your Burn Pit Disability Rating

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Burn Pit Exposure
Mid adult female soldier works on her VA disability claim

Not too long ago, veterans seeking disability benefits for burn pit exposure had a hard time getting their claims approved. From 2007 to 2020, the VA denied 78% of disability claims by veterans who claimed that burn pit exposure was the cause of their illnesses.1 Some veterans didn't even get a chance to apply for disability benefits, their illnesses progressed so rapidly. According to Burn Pits 360, Frederick Slape (SFC, Army) was 42 years old when he retired in August 2012 after 20 years of military service. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer due to exposure to burn pits during...

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21 November
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How Does VA Backpay Work? A Simple Guide

Posted by The Rep for Vets
in Getting Started
Veterans group leader discussing VA backpay

If you are a veteran who was injured or disabled while serving our country, you may be entitled to retroactive benefits. These benefits are paid in a lump sum and can be used to help you cover the costs of your medical treatment and daily living expenses. In this article, we will explain how VA backpay works and how you can receive the benefits you deserve. Backlog = Backpay In the simplest sense, backpay is the amount you receive in retroactive pay due to the VA's backlog. It's no secret that the VA takes a long time to process disability claims. At...

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