🎖️ VALOR

Harold Russel: How a WWII Vet Redefined Beyond the Battlefield

Harold John Russell was born in 1914 in Nova Scotia, Canada, and raised in Massachusetts after his family moved south during his childhood. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined countless young men in uniform, enlisting in the U.S. Army and training as a paratrooper. 

In 1944, while at Camp Mackall in North Carolina, Russell’s military career changed instantly. A defective TNT charge exploded during a training exercise, costing him both hands. Instead of retreating into isolation, he adapted to life with prosthetic hooks and worked through an intense rehabilitation process. His resilience soon drew notice inside the Army, where he appeared in Diary of a Sergeant, a training film on living with combat injuries. 

That film caught the eye of director William Wyler, who cast Russell in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Playing Homer Parrish, a sailor returning home after losing his hands, Russell gave audiences an honest look at the struggles disabled veterans faced. The performance won him two Oscars (Best Supporting Actor and a special award for inspiring fellow veterans), a unique achievement in Hollywood history. 

After the film, Russell turned to advocacy. He served as National Commander of AMVETS and later chaired the President’s Commission on Employment of the Handicapped, pushing for recognition and opportunity for disabled Americans. His decision in 1992 to sell one of his Oscars to help pay for his wife’s medical care underscored the financial realities many veterans faced long after their service. 

Russell passed away in 2002 at the age of 88. Though his combat service was cut short, his story became one of resilience and representation. By bringing visibility to disabled veterans on screen and off, he left a legacy of courage and advocacy that far outlived his time in uniform.

Honor veterans like Harold Russel and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD): A Guide for Service Members Transitioning to Civilian Life

Transitioning out of the military is a major step, and the VA’s BDD program helps service members file disability claims before leaving service so benefits start promptly after separation. 

Who Qualifies for BDD? 

• Must be on full-time active duty (including Guard, Reserve, or Coast Guard). 

• Have a separation date within 90–180 days. 

• Provide service treatment records (STRs). 

• Be available for VA medical exams within 45 days of filing. 

How to Apply 

1. Preparation: Gather STRs, the Separation Health Assessment – Part A Self-Assessment, dental and mental health records, and direct deposit details. 

2. Submission: File online at VA.gov (preferred), or by mail/fax. 

3. Exams & Evaluation: VA schedules medical exams and reviews the claim, aiming for a decision within 30 days post-discharge. 

Benefits of BDD 

• Proactive Health Management: Early exams identify issues before separation. 

• Seamless Transition: Claims resolved before leaving service reduce uncertainty. 

• Financial Planning: Quick results support budgeting after discharge. 

• Comprehensive Support: Access to VA briefings and Transition Assistance Program (TAP). 

• Early Access to Benefits: Health care, compensation, and more start sooner. 

• Reduced Administrative Burden: Streamlines claims for both VA and veterans. 

Support and Resources 

• Transition Assistance Program (TAP): Mandatory workshops on benefits, career planning, and job search skills. 

• Military OneSource: 24/7 confidential counseling, career coaching, relocation help (available up to one year post-service). 

• VA Support Lines: 

• 1-800-698-2411 for claims help and inquiries. 

• Veterans Crisis Line (Dial 988, Press 1) for urgent mental health support. 

The BDD program ensures service members have a smoother, better-prepared transition to civilian life by securing benefits and support before separation.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us every Tuesday at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?

Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.

If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

Challenging VA Denials: How Bad Conduct Discharges Don’t Always Bar Benefits

Hill & Ponton Senior Attorney Shannon Brewer discusses a groundbreaking veterans' case that challenges a widespread misconception: that a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge automatically disqualifies veterans from VA disability benefits. 

While VA law generally requires an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge for benefits, essential exceptions exist when compelling circumstances surrounding the discharge come to light. 

Attorney Brewer shared the case of a young veteran from the late 1960s who was struck by lightning during service, suffered a mental breakdown, was confined to a psychiatric ward, and later received a bad conduct discharge after missing a flight back to Vietnam. The unique facts, such as his age of 19, limited education, combat service, PTSD diagnosis, and attempts to contact the Army after missing his flight, provided substantial grounds for arguing his discharge should not bar benefits. When evaluating these cases, the VA's holistic approach considers multiple factors, including age, education, cultural background, and service hardships. 

Attorney Brewer also highlights another legal pathway in proving the veteran was "insane" at the time of the offense under VA's lower standard compared to criminal law. Veterans acting out of character due to mental health issues may still qualify despite their discharge status.  

The other point that she wants veterans to walk away with is veterans with bad conduct discharges should not be discouraged by initial denials. These cases are highly fact-specific, and with proper legal representation, veterans can successfully challenge VA decisions and secure the benefits they've earned. 

“Don’t be discouraged if VA denies you once, twice, or even three times. Don’t just accept it—review the facts of your case and make your argument,” she concludes. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!