LWP.FBSizing

The Nuts and Bolts of VA Accreditation

by with No Comment Coaching & ImplementationLegal TechnicalSystems & ProcessesVA

There are three categories of individuals whom the VA will accredit: representatives of VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), independent claims agents, and private attorneys. The route to accreditation differs for these various categories, but the governing department of all accreditation matters is the VA’s Office of General Counsel (VAOGC). It is this department that handles any questions, comments, and requests for correction of information related to accreditation as well as receiving any complaints regarding misconduct or incompetent representation.

LWP.MarriageSchmarriage

Marriage/Schmarriage: What’s Love Got to Do with VA Non-Service-Connected Disability Pension?

by with No Comment Asset ProtectionLegal TechnicalVA

Love and marriage can be of supreme importance when the Veterans Administration (VA) is considering an application for death pension from a surviving spouse. It is true that marriage is one way to document a veteran’s dependent, and this would mean an additional $332 per month to a vet’s pension in 2016. But failure to document a veteran’s marriage would certainly not be an outright bar to pension. By contrast, in the case of a surviving spouse’s claim, if you cannot document that the marriage between the surviving spouse and the veteran was valid, you have no claim at all, regardless of how eligible the surviving spouse may be otherwise.