Many of our nation’s Veterans who have come home from Afghanistan and Iraq experienced traumatic events while serving in combat zones. They may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But it is often difficult for a young man or woman who remains physically strong to admit he or she has a…
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVATE MEDICAL OPINIONS Many Veterans with PTSD can benefit from a letter of support from their own private medical doctors, often referred to by the VA as an independent medical opinion. A document from a primary care physician or a psychiatrist could help some…
If you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in service, the VA may grant you compensation entitlement based on cognitive, emotional/behavioral, and physical loss of functioning. For its most basic ratings criteria, the VA will evaluate your memory; judgment; social interaction; orientation; motor activity; visual spatial orientation; subjective symptoms; neurobehavioral…
Veterans often express a common concern regarding their Second Amendment rights when we ask them about filing a disability claim for PTSD: “I don’t want to file for PTSD because I don’t want the VA to take my guns away.” Misconceptions abound when it comes to VA benefits and the…
With the recent passing of House Bill 3703 in Texas, many are speaking out against its fine print – specifically the community of Texas Veterans. HB 3703 Texas legislature recently passed a law allowing patients with terminal cancer, autism, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and spasticity to use low-THC cannabis when prescribed…
A study published this past May in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse detailed a possible solution to a rampant problem. Researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Harvard Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania surveyed 93 veterans. These vets received medical marijuana from the Santa Cruz…
The VA system can be difficult to navigate, even for those Veterans with straightforward, well documented claims. Post-traumatic stress disorder claims can be some of the hardest to get service connected because the requirements can be difficult to prove. We’ve discussed before the complications involved with verifying a stressor, particularly…
With the passage of the Farm Bill by President Trump in 2018, Hemp based CBD use is on the rise in the Veteran community. One Colorado company, WarFighter Hemp, is using this economic opportunity to give back to this group. All too frequently, combat injured veterans are prescribed powerful opiates…
When dealing with VA claims and appeals, you may come to the realization that you need help from a professional. Some Veterans will use a Veterans’ Service Organization (VSO) to help them with their appeals because it is a cost efficient (usually free) way to make your case. A VSO…
By Rory Berry, Navy Veteran I recently had the pleasure to meet Melissa Walker, who uses art therapy to work with victims of TBI and PTSD at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I was fascinated to hear how she was able to work with Veterans to provide healing for Read the full article…
