Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained - podcast cover

Veterans Legal Lowdown: VA Benefits Explained

Veterans Legal Lowdown is a podcast created by Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD, a law firm representing veterans nationwide on their VA disability claims. In each episode, our legal team breaks down a veterans law topic--from Burn Pits to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and VA claim hacks to the latest VA news. This is CCK On Air.
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Episodes

CCK Live: High Value Mental Health VA Disability Benefits Claims

Certain mental health conditions are considered “high value claims” because veterans have a high likelihood of getting at least a 30% VA rating. Tune in to learn about high value mental health VA claims, evidence you need to win your case, common secondary disabilities to mental health conditions, and more. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠...

Jul 24, 202310 min

CCK Live: VA Form 21-526EZ for Disability Benefits - Step by Step How-To Guide

VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, is a formal application for VA disability benefits. Veterans are required to submit this form to start the VA claims process for service-connected compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to fill out Form 21-526EZ, what information you will need, where to send the form, and more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -...

Jul 17, 20237 min

CCK Live: New Gulf War VA Presumptions & Gulf War Syndrome - 2023 Update

Many veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War developed unexplained illnesses and symptoms collectively referred to as Gulf War Illness or Gulf War Syndrome. VA has since created a Gulf War Presumption for these veterans. Join the CCK team as we review VA’s Gulf War Presumption, discuss important updates, and talk through changes made by the PACT Act. Tune in for this informative update! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTu...

Jul 03, 20235 min

CCK Live: CAVC Case Win - Earlier Effective Date for Veteran's Heart Disease

Join the CCK team as we discuss a Vietnam veteran who sought our help in securing an earlier effective date for his service-connected coronary artery disease following a Board of Veterans’ Appeals denial. Tune in to learn more about the Board denial and how we argued the case. We will also review the CAVC appeal process and the outcome for the veteran. Don’t miss out on this exciting update! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouT...

Jun 27, 20236 min

CCK Live: VA Rating Too Low? How to Increase Your VA Disability Benefits

Ultimately, a higher disability rating means a greater amount of monthly compensation. Veterans whose VA ratings are too low or whose conditions have worsened since their initial disability rating may seek an increased disability rating. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to increase your VA disability rating, tips for securing a higher rating, and more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCK...

Jun 20, 202310 min

CCK Live: What to Do if VA Denies Your PACT Act Disability Benefits Claim

The 2022 PACT Act expands VA disability benefits and health care coverage for toxic-exposed veterans. Veterans who qualify for benefits under the PACT Act can file a claim in the same way they would for any other claim. However, many veterans still face denials on their PACT Act claims. Join the CCK team to learn how to appeal a denied PACT Act claim. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ...

Jun 12, 20239 min

CCK Live: What Happens to Your VA Benefits After Death?

Are you wondering what happens to your VA benefits after death? On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team explains what happens to VA payments when a veteran passes away. We also review types of benefits available for surviving dependents of disabled veterans, such as DIC, pension, accrued benefits, DEA, and more. Tune in for more information! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/C...

Jun 05, 20237 min

CCK Live: Most Common VA Disabilities 2023 Update

While there are numerous conditions for which a veteran may be service connected, some disabilities are more common than others. Join the CCK team as we discuss the most common conditions among veterans in Fiscal Year 2022, according to VA’s Annual Benefits Report. We will also review VA’s disability ratings for these conditions. Tune in for more information! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly...

May 30, 202313 min

CCK Live: Depression and PTSD VA Ratings - How Mental Health Ratings Work

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two of the most common mental health conditions among veterans. VA rates both conditions using VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Join this CCK team as we discuss VA’s ratings for depression and PTSD. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKFB...

May 22, 20237 min

CCK Live: Denied VA Claim? Here's How CCK Secured TDIU Benefits for This Veteran

CCK argued at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims on behalf of a veteran client who was seeking entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team reviews the veteran’s case and discusses how CCK helped him successfully appeal the decision after he received a Board denial. Tune in to hear the full story. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTu...

May 15, 20238 min

CCK Live: New Laws for Veterans and Service Members in 2023 NDAA

The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, is a policy and spending bill for the Department of Defense that passes through Congress every year. This year's bill includes several provisions that will impact servicemembers and veterans, including military pay raises, housing benefits, childcare programs, military justice reforms, health care improvements, and more. Join the CCK team as we discuss these changes and what they mean for veterans in 2023! For more information, visit our website a...

May 08, 202311 min

CCK Live: VA Survivor Benefits Claims - Common Mistakes Dependents Make

VA offers several survivors benefits to dependent spouses, children, and parents of military veterans who have passed away. VA survivor benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), accrued benefits, survivors’ pension, and more. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Veterans Legal Lowdown to learn about mistakes claimants make when filing VA survivors benefits claims and how to avoid them. For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media...

May 01, 202312 min

CCK Live: High Value Secondary VA Claims - VA Benefits for Secondary Conditions

Filing secondary claims can help veterans reach a higher level of VA compensation. As with any VA claim, some conditions tend to receive higher ratings than others. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is reviewing the most commonly filed high value secondary claims. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ht...

Apr 24, 202315 min

CCK Live: How to Use DBQs in VA Claims: Disability Benefits Questionnaires

Disability Benefits Questionnaires, or DBQs, are downloadable forms created for veterans’ use in the evaluation process for VA disability benefits. Specifically, DBQs are intended to give veterans more control over the disability claims process. Join the CCK team as we discuss how to use DBQ forms in VA claims. Don’t miss out on this informative update! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠⁠⁠...

Apr 17, 202311 min

CCK Live: How to Get the Highest VA Rating for Migraines

VA rates migraine headaches from 0 to 50 percent, with criteria based on severity and frequency of the migraines. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is discussing how to get a 50 percent rating for migraines. We review valuable types of evidence for migraine claims, including lay statements and medical opinions. Be sure to listen to this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.l...

Apr 11, 20239 min

CCK Live: How to Calculate Your VA Disability Back Pay

VA disability back pay is the monies owed to veterans from the effective date of their claim to the date they were granted those benefits. Due to its backlog of disability compensation claims, VA can often take months or years to grant benefits. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK is reviewing how to calculate back pay. Tune in to learn more! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Faceb...

Apr 03, 202312 min

CCK Live: Bad C&P Exam? What Veterans Can Do Next

VA adjudicators tend to give a lot of weight to Compensation and Pension exams when deciding veterans’ claims. This means that a negative or unfavorable exam can severely impact a veteran’s likelihood of winning a grant of benefits. Join the CCK team as we discuss the best ways to refute an unfavorable C&P exam. Tune in for this important update! For more information, visit our website at ⁠⁠cck-law.com⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠ YouTube ⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠ http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠ - ⁠...

Mar 27, 202315 min

CCK Live: Top Causes of Denied VA Claims

VA may deny disability benefits for a variety of reasons, but some are more common than others. On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK has identified the most common causes of denied claims. Whether seeking VA service connection or an increased VA rating, disabled veterans can make small errors that could result in a denied VA claim. Be sure to tune in to learn what these mistakes are and how to avoid them! For more information, visit our website at ⁠cck-law.com⁠ Follow us on social medi...

Mar 20, 202314 min

CCK Live: Secondary Conditions to Agent Orange Exposure

A secondary service-connected condition is one that results from an already service-connected condition. A number of the presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure can cause secondary conditions. Join the CCK team as we review the most common secondary conditions to Agent Orange exposure. Be sure to tune in for this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Facebook - http://bit.ly/CCKFB...

Mar 15, 202315 min

CCK Live: VA Secondary Conditions to Knee Pain

Knee pain is one of the most prevalent conditions among veterans, and many veterans experience secondary conditions related to their knee pain. Filing for secondary service connection for these conditions can qualify veterans for a higher VA rating and therefore more VA disability compensation. Join the CCK team as we discuss the most common secondary conditions to knee pain, and how they are related. Be sure to tune in for this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at cck...

Mar 06, 202310 min

CCK Live: Top 5 PTSD VA Claim Mistakes: VA PTSD Rating

Filing a claim for PTSD benefits from VA can be confusing and complicated. Consequently, many veterans make mistakes that can delay their benefits or even result in a denial. Join the CCK team as we review 5 of the top mistakes veterans make when filing VA claims for PTSD and how these mistakes can be avoided. Tune in to hear this important information! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Facebook - http://bit.ly/CCKFBL...

Feb 27, 20239 min

CCK Live: WINNING Your VA Rating for Anxiety

On this episode of Veterans Legal Lowdown, the CCK team explains how to win VA claims for anxiety. We review how to establish direct or secondary service connection for anxiety and what to expect during a C&P exam. We also discuss how VA rates anxiety and how to appeal an unfavorable VA decision. Tune in to hear this important information! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Facebook - http://bit.ly/CCKFBL Instagram...

Feb 21, 202313 min

CCK Live: Top 8 Tips for Winning Your VA Claim

The VA claims process can be complicated, and there are many requirements veterans must meet. This includes providing evidence, submitting the correct forms, attending C&P exams, securing medical records, and more. Join the CCK team as we discuss our top tips for winning your VA claim. Don’t miss out on this informative update! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Facebook - http://bit.ly/CCKFBL Instagram - http://bi...

Feb 13, 202315 min

CCK Live: CCK Wins 25 Years of VA Back Pay Benefits for Surviving Spouse

Join the CCK team as we discuss how CCK's VA disability lawyers secured over 25 years of back pay benefits for an Army widow seeking DIC. After VA denied her DIC benefits, she reopened the claim years later and VA conceded that the veteran’s death was related to Agent Orange exposure in Thailand. However, when she sought an earlier effective date, VA discontinued her benefits entirely. Tune in to hear the full story. For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social medi...

Feb 06, 202310 min

CCK Live: Presumptive VA Claims and How They Work: VA Disability

For VA disability claims, a presumption can work in two ways: proving exposure to harmful toxins during service or linking a disability to service. Join the CCK team as we review VA’s criteria for presumptive claims. We will discuss VA’s presumption of exposure, presumption of service connection, and how to file a presumptive claim. Be sure to tune in to this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Face...

Jan 30, 202312 min

CCK Live: Top 7 VA Claim Mistakes When Filing to Increase VA Disability Rating

There are certain mistakes that veterans often make when seeking an increased rating. Join the CCK team as we discuss the most common mistakes in VA claims for increased ratings. From failing to obtain a medical opinion to submitting relevant evidence, we will review it all. Be sure to tune in to this informative update! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL Facebook - http://bit.ly/CCKFBL Instagram - http://bit.ly/CCKINL...

Jan 23, 202319 min

CCK Live: How and When Does VA Reduce 100% VA Disability Ratings?

With some exceptions, a 100 percent rating is the highest rating available to veterans. If VA decides that there has been significant improvement in the veteran’s 100 percent disabling condition, it can propose a rating reduction. Join the CCK team as we review different types of 100 percent ratings and when and how they can be reduced. Be sure to tune in to this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.ly/CCKYTL ...

Jan 17, 20239 min

CCK Live: Agent Orange Benefits for Widows, Dependents, and Survivors

Since the enactment of the PACT Act, thousands of Vietnam War-era veterans who have since passed away can now be service connected for their Agent Orange-related deaths. This makes their surviving spouse or dependents (i.e., children and parents) eligible for retroactive DIC benefits. Join the CCK team as we discuss DIC benefits, other survivors’ benefits, and how to apply for Agent Orange-related survivors’ compensation. For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social...

Jan 09, 202310 min

CCK Live: VA Disability (VBA) vs. VA Healthcare (VHA) and How They Work

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) manages the disbursement of benefits to veterans and their dependents. Meanwhile, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is tasked with serving the millions of veterans enrolled in VA health care. Join the CCK team as we review how these two programs operate and discuss instances in which they work together. Be sure to tune in to this informative episode! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http:...

Jan 03, 20239 min

CCK Live: Case Win - 15-Year 100% TDIU VA Back Pay Award

Join the CCK team as we discuss a recent win in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) for a Vietnam Veteran. After many years of receiving TDIU benefits, VA revoked this Veteran’s TDIU benefits, creating an overpayment. With the help of CCK, the Veteran was able to restore his TDIU benefits and earned about 15 years of retroactive pay. Tune in to learn more about this exciting case! For more information, visit our website at cck-law.com Follow us on social media: YouTube - http://bit.l...

Dec 19, 20227 min
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