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Veteran Benefits

VA Bariatric Surgery Options for Veterans

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) official site describes bariatric surgery as “an operation that changes the digestive system. It is intended for people who have obesity and need to lose weight but have not been able to do so through other means.” If you are a military service member or veteran struggling with your… Read more »

Lawmakers Urge VA to Keep Community Medical Care Options

In 2018, the VA MISSION Act was signed into law, creating a new veteran program designed to expand access to community healthcare options. The MISSION Act, also known as the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, ended the previous Veterans Choice Program. But in July of 2024, a group… Read more »

President Biden Pardons Service Members Convicted Under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

President Biden has issued a pardon for service members convicted of so-called “sodomy laws” forbidding what used to be called “homosexual conduct” by the DoD. The pardon allows those forced out of the military for identifying as LGTBQ+ to have their discharges reviewed and upgraded where approved. Learn more.

Federal Judge Rules Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Lawsuit May Proceed

Update: In June 2024, President Joe Biden issued a pardon for those convicted of violations of UCMJ Article 125 which formerly prohibited so-called “homosexual conduct.” At press time, there is no indication of how this pardon may affect the lawsuit, which is discussed below. This is an ongoing story. A federal court in California ruled… Read more »

Lawmakers Move To Help Victims of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Close to two thousand lawsuits have been filed against the federal government related to the human cost of what the online publication Roll Call reports as “decades of contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.” But progress on those lawsuits is slow and some in Washington want to change that. It’s telling that… Read more »

VA Updates PACT Act Presumptive Conditions List

The VA PACT Act passed in 2022, providing VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Learn more.

VA Home Loan Policy Change Helps Veteran Homebuyers

In the first quarter of 2024, a class action lawsuit settlement affected how certain real estate fees were handled in real estate transactions. The National Association of Realtors settled a lawsuit over real estate broker fees, but the terms of that settlement can be confusing for borrowers and sellers alike. Many changes to real estate… Read more »

Where to Apply for VA Disabled Veteran Benefits

Do you know where to apply for important VA benefits including disability pay, healthcare, and related options? Do you know where to go to get VA healthcare? These are important questions, especially if you are new to VA benefits, Unfortunately, applying for and using VA benefits isn’t a one-stop shopping type application. Depending on your… Read more »

Proposed Law Would Close GI Bill Loophole

Under the current rules of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, military members are permitted to transfer their unused GI Bill benefits to qualifying spouses and school-age children. However, the transfer requires the servicemember to commit to a new tour of duty, and the benefits can’t be transferred after leaving the military. That leaves out certain veterans… Read more »