The overall employment situation in the country continued to improve supported by upward trend in key indicators with an unemployment rate of 5.5%. The jobless rate significantly came down(over the year) in February 2015. In the same month last year, the national average was 6.7%. The unemployment rate was down by 0.2 percentage points from January which seems to be freely falling owing to massive job creations since the end … Read more
If you have a long-term disability that impacts your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs are intended to provide financial assistance to those who are unable to earn a livable wage. However, they also offer work incentives to encourage those who can work. One such incentive is the Ticket to Work program, which has over 300,000 … Read more
For a veteran to qualify for VA disability benefits, there needs to be a connection between their current illness or injury and their military service. This connection is called a service connection and it is the reason why veterans are eligible for disability benefits through the VA. 5 Ways to Prove a VA Service Connection Direct Service Connection Presumptive Service Connection Secondary Service Connection Aggravated Service Connection Disabled or Injured … Read more
Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits may benefit from working with a qualified representative who can act as their advocate during the disability claims process. A disability advocate can provide essential insight and advice, navigate the claims process, and manage some of the details, deadlines, and documentation requirements that can cause stress for disability claimants. Disability advocates have the knowledge to understand the disability claim process, and their assistance … Read more
If you’ve heard about the difficulties that can come with winning a disability claim through the U.S. Veterans Administration, you may be wondering which VA disability claims are the easiest to win. The answer is always the claim with the strongest medical evidence. To improve your chances of approval, it’s also useful to understand the types of disability claims that the VA most commonly approves. By comparing your current medical … Read more
Did you know that tinnitus is the primary disability claimed by veterans? If you are a veteran who suffers from tinnitus, you might qualify for disability benefits or compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 5 Common Causes of Tinnitus Loud Noises Head Trauma Change in Pressure Medications Old Age About one in 10 adults in the United States experience some form of tinnitus, with veterans having even higher rates … Read more
Many American veterans were exposed to hazardous pollutants in the air, soil, and water while serving in the military. As research reveals more about the enduring consequences of exposure to different toxic environments, the VA has been increasing disability benefits for toxic exposure. One instance is the PACT Act, which substantially broadened the VA’s ability to grant disability benefits to veterans experiencing health problems related to toxic exposure. Given the … Read more
Hearing loss is a common issue among veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that hearing problems are the most frequently occurring service-connected disabilities. Hearing loss may be eligible for VA disability benefits if it is related to the veteran’s military service. 8 Causes of Hearing Loss in Veterans Loud Noises Brain Injury Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs Jet Fuel Exposure Ear Infection Ruptured Eardrum Inner Ear Damage Aging … Read more
For veterans who were injured during their active duty service, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides tax-free monthly disability payments. Eligible veterans can apply for disability benefits at their local VA office or on VA.gov. The type of claim a veteran chooses to file depends on their specific situation. There are six types of VA disability claims. Types of VA Disability Claims Original Claim New Claim Increased Claim Secondary … Read more
Formerly named the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, this law became effective in August 2022. The PACT Act is significant because it greatly expands the scope of VA healthcare benefits for military veterans exposed to toxic substances during their time of service. The expansion allows the VA to provide essential medical care to a larger group of veterans, and in some … Read more