Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.
Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.
Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Leah B explains ionizing radiation and its impact on veterans seeking VA disability benefits. She describes ionizing radiation as a powerful form of energy that can damage cells and DNA, potentially leading to serious health conditions like cancer. Leah highlights the VA's presumptive criteria for disabilities caused by radiation exposure, including specific locations, timeframes, and radiogenic diseases such as leukemia, thyroid cancer, and more. She provides guidance on navigating VA resources, understanding eligibility requirements, and seeking assistance from veteran service officers or legal professionals. The video emphasizes the importance of reviewing available materials and sharing experiences to better support veterans navigating these claims.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.
Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. 

Leah  discusses military sexual trauma (MST) and the resources available through the VA for veterans who have experienced it. She explains MST as encompassing any unwanted sexual activity during military service, including harassment, assault, or coercion, and notes its lasting impact on individuals. Leah highlights VA-provided support, including fact sheets, MST coordinators, and various therapies like cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). She emphasizes the importance of seeking help, acknowledging the challenges of addressing MST within a military culture that often stigmatizes vulnerability. The video also introduces a mobile app and community-based vet center counseling options, urging veterans to take advantage of these resources for their mental and physical well-being.

Leah is joined by Rebecca Deming, an attorney specializing in veteran disability law, to explain the bilateral factor in VA disability calculations. They discuss how the VA's unique "VA math" system combines rather than adds disability ratings and how the bilateral factor impacts veterans with disabilities in both arms or both legs, increasing their overall rating. Rebecca explains that the bilateral factor provides a small percentage increase in cases involving conditions affecting both sides, which can affect a veteran’s compensation rate. The video demonstrates a tool on the ProVet Legal website that veterans can use to calculate their combined rating, including the bilateral factor, helping veterans better understand and manage their ratings.

Leah  discuss the complexities of VA disability calculations, often referred to as "VA math." Rebecca explains how the VA combines individual disability percentages using a unique formula rather than simple addition, ensuring veterans receive an accurate overall disability rating. The video introduces a VA disability calculator on ProVet Legal’s website, which veterans can use to simplify this calculation process. They cover key concepts, including the "whole person approach," rounding rules, and the bilateral factor, which can impact a veteran’s combined rating if disabilities affect both sides of the body. Rebecca encourages veterans with concerns about their rating accuracy to consult an attorney for a free case review, and she emphasizes using tools like the calculator to gain better insight into their VA disability benefits.

Leah explains the link between prostate cancer and Agent Orange exposure for veterans seeking disability benefits. She highlights that the VA presumes certain conditions, including prostate cancer, are service-related if veterans served in specific locations and time frames. Agent Orange exposure has been associated with multiple cancers and other health issues, including bladder cancer, diabetes, and respiratory cancers. Leah outlines various studies supporting this link and clarifies the VA's rating process for prostate cancer, starting with a 100% rating post-diagnosis, with periodic re-evaluation for residual effects. 

In this video, Leah B., a U.S. Army veteran and physician assistant, discusses traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their impact on veterans' disability claims, focusing on residual effects like headaches. She explains the causes of TBIs, including blunt and penetrating injuries, and the various symptoms that can arise, such as headaches, dizziness, memory issues, and emotional challenges. Leah shares her personal TBI experience and emphasizes the importance of seeking medical care, as TBIs can lead to long-term complications. She also highlights resources available through the VA and encourages veterans to consult accredited professionals when filing or appealing disability claims related to TBI.

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities.
Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM.

In the video, Leah and Rebecca Deming delve into the specifics of Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for the survivors of veterans who either died in the line of duty or from service-related injuries. Rebecca, a VA attorney, clarifies that DIC provides monthly financial support primarily to spouses, children, and parents under certain conditions, such as marriage duration and financial need based on poverty thresholds. They discuss the complexities of proving a service-connected cause of death, especially when death certificates list vague causes like "natural causes" or "pneumonia." They emphasize the necessity of linking the cause of death to service-related conditions and possibly amending death certificates to reflect accurate causes, enhancing the survivors' eligibility for DIC benefits.