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Oliver Buchannon
Hill & Ponton
Radiculopathy VA Ratings, DIC Benefits, and What Families Should Know

Apr 8, 2026

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10 min read

Radiculopathy VA Ratings, DIC Benefits, and What Families Should Know

Learn how VA rates radiculopathy and what veterans need to prove service connection, plus guidance from Hill & Ponton on how DIC benefits can increase for surviving families and the story of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Tinnitus VA Ratings, VA Letter Pitfalls, and the Legacy of Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Apr 1, 2026

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10 min read

Tinnitus VA Ratings, VA Letter Pitfalls, and the Legacy of Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Learn how VA rates tinnitus and how secondary conditions can increase your disability rating, plus advice from Hill & Ponton attorneys on confusing VA letters and a look at Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Michael P. Murphy.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Navigating VA Infertility & Secondary Disability Claims

Mar 25, 2026

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10 min read

Navigating VA Infertility & Secondary Disability Claims

Plus, learn about the legacy of Carlos Hathcock and hear attorney insights on how VA evaluates urinary frequency as a secondary condition.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Heart Disease VA Ratings and Service Connection Strategies

Mar 18, 2026

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10 min read

Heart Disease VA Ratings and Service Connection Strategies

Guidance on VA heart disease ratings and how to establish service connection, plus a closer look at the leadership legacy of Lt. Gen. Hal Moore.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Why Evidence Wins VA Disability Claims and How to Build a Strong File

Mar 11, 2026

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13 min read

Why Evidence Wins VA Disability Claims and How to Build a Strong File

Plus, the story of Colin Powell’s rise from South Bronx, understanding the practical side of VA law, and understanding how service records, deck logs, expert opinions, and nexus letters can change claim outcomes.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
VA Math, TDIU, and the Road to 100% Without the Guesswork

Mar 4, 2026

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11 min read

VA Math, TDIU, and the Road to 100% Without the Guesswork

Learn about Samuel L. Gravely Jr.’s barrier-breaking Navy career, a clear breakdown of how the Combined Ratings Table really works, and when TDIU can pay at the 100% rate even if your schedular rating falls short.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Knee Replacement Ratings, Foot Drop Symptoms, and the Story of Hershel “Woody” Williams

Feb 25, 2026

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11 min read

Knee Replacement Ratings, Foot Drop Symptoms, and the Story of Hershel “Woody” Williams

Information on VA knee replacement ratings, advice from our leadership on foot drop symptoms, and the story of a flamethrowing Marine who served at Iwo Jima.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Importance of Secondary Disabilities, the Reality of Tinnitus Claims, and the American Sniper

Feb 18, 2026

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11 min read

The Importance of Secondary Disabilities, the Reality of Tinnitus Claims, and the American Sniper

From the story of Chris Kyle to VA secondary disability claims, tinnitus insights, and veteran benefits trivia, this week’s V.E.T.S Advantage covers what veterans need to know.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Important Information About Hypertension Secondary Conditions

Feb 11, 2026

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11 min read

Important Information About Hypertension Secondary Conditions

This week we talk about hypertension and sleep apnea, their connection, and what they mean for VA disability claims.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Making the Most of Your C&P Exam

Feb 4, 2026

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12 min read

Making the Most of Your C&P Exam

Information on making C&P exams work in your favor and what to do if your claim is still denied. Plus, the story of a seventeen-year-old WWII hero.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
One Combat Veteran’s Fight for Her Comrades at Home, Plus Paths to 100% VA Disability and TDIU Factors Explained

Jan 28, 2026

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13 min read

One Combat Veteran’s Fight for Her Comrades at Home, Plus Paths to 100% VA Disability and TDIU Factors Explained

A look at Tammy Duckworth’s service and advocacy, how veterans can reach a 100% disability rating, and what “substantially gainful employment” really means under TDIU.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Sailor Who Stood His Ground at Pearl Harbor, How VA Rates Depression, and What to Know About PTSD Claims

Jan 21, 2026

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13 min read

The Sailor Who Stood His Ground at Pearl Harbor, How VA Rates Depression, and What to Know About PTSD Claims

Remembering Doris “Dorie” Miller’s heroism, breaking down VA disability ratings for depression, and clarifying how PTSD claims are evaluated when records are limited.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Marksman Who Turned the Tide, VA Disability Ratings for Diabetes, and When 100% is Possible

Jan 14, 2026

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12 min read

The Marksman Who Turned the Tide, VA Disability Ratings for Diabetes, and When 100% is Possible

Sergeant Alvin C. York’s defining moment at Argonne, how VA evaluates diabetes and related conditions, and what veterans should know about higher disability ratings for diabetes

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Remembering Ross A. McGinnis and Understanding VA Back Pay

Jan 7, 2026

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13 min read

Remembering Ross A. McGinnis and Understanding VA Back Pay

The story of a young soldier who saved his comrades, how VA effective dates work, and why timing matters in disability claims.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Soldier Who Refused a False Narrative, Secondary Claims for Depression, and Demystifying Mental Health Exams

Dec 31, 2025

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13 min read

The Soldier Who Refused a False Narrative, Secondary Claims for Depression, and Demystifying Mental Health Exams

Jessica Lynch's courage to speak truth instead of accepting accolades, how chronic pain can lead to secondary mental health claims, and what to expect during your mental health evaluation.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Fighter Pilot Who Led From the Front, When the VA Reexamines Your Disability, and Tips for a Successful C&P Exam

Dec 24, 2025

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13 min read

The Fighter Pilot Who Led From the Front, When the VA Reexamines Your Disability, and Tips for a Successful C&P Exam

Honoring Robin Olds' legacy as a triple ace, understanding VA reexamination rules that protect your benefits, and what you need to know before your next C&P exam.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Iwo Jima Hero, Sleep Apnea Benefits Explained, and Building Claims That Win

Dec 17, 2025

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14 min read

The Iwo Jima Hero, Sleep Apnea Benefits Explained, and Building Claims That Win

The story of an Arizona Marine immortalized on Iwo Jima who struggled with fame and loss, how to secure VA compensation for one of the most common veteran conditions, and what evidence you need to prove service connection.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Marine Who Never Stopped Fighting, VA Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis, and How to Lock In Your Protected Rating

Dec 10, 2025

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14 min read

The Marine Who Never Stopped Fighting, VA Ratings for Plantar Fasciitis, and How to Lock In Your Protected Rating

A New Jersey Marine who earned two of the nation's highest honors, understanding disability compensation for service-related foot pain, and the critical timelines that keep the VA from reducing your benefits.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Honoring Courage That Endures

Dec 7, 2025

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8 min read

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Honoring Courage That Endures

On December 7, we remember the Americans who faced the unthinkable at Pearl Harbor and the generation whose courage reshaped our nation’s history.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Valor of PFC Domingo Silvas, Unlocking SMC-T Benefits, and Helping Veterans with Severe TBI

Dec 3, 2025

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12 min read

The Valor of PFC Domingo Silvas, Unlocking SMC-T Benefits, and Helping Veterans with Severe TBI

A soldier’s courage and sacrifice in Vietnam’s A Shau Valley, how SMC-T can increase monthly VA compensation to over $9,000, and the vital programs helping veterans and caregivers manage life after traumatic brain injury.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Agent Orange Benefits Explained, Secondary Claims, and One Marine’s Journey of Courage and Healing

Nov 26, 2025

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13 min read

Agent Orange Benefits Explained, Secondary Claims, and One Marine’s Journey of Courage and Healing

A Marine veteran’s courage and compassion from the battlefield to home, how Agent Orange presumptive and secondary conditions can boost VA benefits, and our guide to securing support for exposed veterans and their families.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Master Sergeant Perry Brewer’s Quiet Heroism, What to Know About Permanent and Total VA Disability, and Hidden Veteran Perks

Nov 19, 2025

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14 min read

Master Sergeant Perry Brewer’s Quiet Heroism, What to Know About Permanent and Total VA Disability, and Hidden Veteran Perks

Master Sergeant Perry Brewer’s quiet legacy, how Permanent and Total ratings protect lifetime benefits, and the hidden perks many veterans overlook.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Marksman of the Meuse-Argonne, Understanding Agent Orange Claims, and How Secondary Conditions Boost VA Ratings.

Nov 12, 2025

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13 min read

The Marksman of the Meuse-Argonne, Understanding Agent Orange Claims, and How Secondary Conditions Boost VA Ratings.

A Tennessee farmer turned World War I hero, the keys to winning Agent Orange-related benefits, and why recognizing secondary conditions can make all the difference for veterans seeking full compensation.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
Veterans Day: Reflection, Resilience, and the Ongoing Duty of Remembrance

Nov 11, 2025

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8 min read

Veterans Day: Reflection, Resilience, and the Ongoing Duty of Remembrance

This Veterans Day, discover how one reluctant soldier became a legend and explore the traditions that keep his legacy, and others like it, alive.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
The Power of Buddy Statements, DIC Enhanced Rates, and One Wife’s Tribute to Combat Medic Joshua Hart

Nov 5, 2025

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11 min read

The Power of Buddy Statements, DIC Enhanced Rates, and One Wife’s Tribute to Combat Medic Joshua Hart

Discover attorney insights to strengthen your claim, how surviving spouses and dependents can maximize DIC through enhanced rates, and read one wife’s powerful tribute to her husband — combat medic and Iraq War veteran, Joshua Hart.

Hagen McMenemy
Hill & Ponton
Hagen McMenemy, +1
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The V.E.T.S. Advantage by Hill & Ponton

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