A hallmark of the veterans benefits system is the obligation that has been imposed upon the US Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with the development of their claims. Congress has declared that the VA “shall make reasonable efforts to assist a claimant in obtaining evidence necessary to substantiate the claimant’s claim for a […]

On December 14, 2016, Judge Mary Schoelen of the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) issued a memorandum decision granting the appeal of Amanda Thompson, a Wisconsin widow represented by West & Dunn. Ms. Thompson currently serves as a substitute party for her husband, James Thompson, who passed away during the pendency of his

Last week the USA Today published an exclusive story addressing the manner in which the US Department of Veterans Affairs rates Veterans Health Administration medical centers. The amazing part of this story is not that the VA rates its own hospitals and clinics, but rather that it keeps these ratings secret from the veterans receiving

While many of us think of the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a single entity, its functions are actually divided among three separate administrations:  The Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. The Veterans Health Administration, or VHA, reports that it currently administers over 1,700 health care sites, providing medical

All told, there are relatively few lawyers who practice veterans benefits law. This is particularly true in comparison with the number of legal advocates who are involved in similar administrative programs, such as Social Security. One of the primary reasons there are so few lawyers involved with veterans disability benefits claims process is that for

On October 14, 2016, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored a Mental Health Summit in conjunction with its Veteran Stakeholders and Business Symposium. Hosted by WDVA Secretary John Scocos, the event provided a particular focus on veterans mental health issues together with anti-suicide training and information to attendees. MG (Ret.) Mark Graham of Vets 4 Warriors served

On September 28, 2016, Judge William S. Greenberg of the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) issued a memorandum decision granting the appeal of Wisconsin veteran Robert Klotter.  In the decision, the Court held that the Board of Veterans Appeals failed to provide adequate reasons and basis for its determination that the US Department