Blog: News & Insights

On December 21, 2012, United States Government Accountability Office (GOA) issued a new report on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) backlog, entitled “Timely Processing Remains a Daunting Challenge.”  The GAO report can be accessed at GAO Report 13-89. The GAO report documents the various initiatives on the part of the VA to reduce the time for initial adjudication of...

The following Star Ledger Article detailed a homeless veteran advocacy event that is occurring this Friday and Saturday in Morristown, New Jersey.  The event, called “Operation Stand Down Morristown”, will take place between 8 AM and 2 PM this Friday and Saturday, January 18th and 19th, at the Morristown Armory.  Free food, clothing, and medical services will be provided to...

As the linked CNN Report documents approximately 700 veterans were potentially exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV due to the reuse of insulin pens during treatment at the Buffalo VA Medical Center (VAMC).  It appears that the risk of exposure was slight and the VA is taking remedial measures to prevent this type of incident from occurring again, as well as notifying veterans who were...

On January 4, 2012, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) published two new opinions/orders.  One of the cases, Checo v. Shinseki, concerned an untimely Notice of Appeal before the CVAC.  Earlier this month, we published a short article on appeals before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The article, which can be accessed at Article on VA Appeals, provides an overview of the...

The Supreme Court decision on “Obamacare” left governors around the country with the option of taking significant federal monies (100% of cost for first three years, 90% thereafter) to expand Medicaid to anyone whose modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than 133% of the poverty level.  Many governors, including New Jersey’s own Gov. Christie, have not made up their...

Today’s Miami Herald contains an article about the Soldier Ride, a bicycle ride from Miami to the Florida Keys for wounded veterans.  The article is worth reading if only because it tells the story of two young Soldiers, SSG Dennison and SPC Todd, who both lost their legs in Afghanistan only a few months ago during the same battle.  Their positive attitude and ability to overcome...

We recently published a short article on the appellate process for disability compensation claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The article, which can be accessed at http://www.finkrosner.com/articles/va-appeal-process.html, provides a short, concise overview of how a veteran/claimant would appeal an unfavorable VA decision. This provides me with an opportunity to also...

On January 4, 2013, the Federal Circuit issued a published opinion in Harris v. Shinseki regarding what constitutes an informal claim for benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  The opinion can be accessed at Harris v. Shinseki. The Federal Circuit ruled that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) failed to properly consider the legal standard set forth in Moody v....

On March 1st, 2013, all recipients of any Social Security, VA or other federal income benefit must be set up with a direct deposit account for their checks.  This will be mandatory for EVERYONE!  If you don’t want to do direct deposit, the feds will set up a debit card for you.  Make sure you’re set up for this before the deadline!

Look, this blog isn’t about advertising for certain products, but this one (or something like it) is very necessary.  I just did a client visit to a homebound lady whose husband was in a nursing home and needed Medicaid right away, and she had her Suze organizer on her kitchen table, and it was a breeze accessing all of her and her husband’s critical documents:  estate planning...