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 »
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 »
The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded the list of qualifying presumptive conditions eligible under the PACT Act. Passed in 2022, the PACT Act offers expanded VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances in the line of duty, even if veterans filed a prior claim… Read more »
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 »
You could qualify for back pay for benefits from when you entered the VA system to when your claim was approved. For some purposes, your benefits are calculated from entering the VA system, not when your claim was approved. Learn more.
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 »
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 »
According to the Centers for Disease Control, military veterans have a higher rate of tobacco use than other demographics. Due to its addictive qualities, many are drawn to it despite the risks of heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses it causes. Many also struggle to quit the habit. Did you know there are Department of… Read more »
In late April 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced permanent changes to VA benefits approval guidelines, offering veterans without honorable discharges the right to be considered for VA healthcare benefits. Under past VA policy, the VA medical system was not open to those without Honorable discharges or those characterized as Under Honorable Conditions. Revised… Read more »
VA programs are always subject to change, but some changes are more dramatic than others. In the past, when major changes resulted from a program overhaul, one feature was commonly the ability to reapply for benefits previously denied, but that could be available under new guidelines. If you have been turned down for a VA… Read more »