🎖️ VALOR

A Veteran’s Fight for Justice: Mark Hupcey’s Story

Navigating the VA system can be a frustrating and exhausting process, especially for veterans dealing with the long-term effects of service-related exposures like Agent Orange. In this powerful video, Air Force veteran Mark Joseph Hupcey shares his firsthand experience with the bureaucratic obstacles, medical challenges, and emotional toll of seeking VA benefits after serving from 1970 to 1974. His journey, marked by setbacks and delays, ultimately took a turn for the better when he sought legal assistance from Hill & Ponton, with attorney Shannon Brewer guiding him through the claims process.  

Hupcey’s story is a compelling reminder of the importance of advocacy and persistence in securing the care veterans deserve. Beyond his health struggles, he sheds light on the devastating generational impact of Agent Orange exposure, including the medical challenges his daughter faced. This video serves as a cautionary tale and a call to action, emphasizing improved support systems, legal advocacy, and greater awareness of veterans’ health issues. Watch now to learn how Hupcey’s fight for justice underscores the challenges many veterans face today. 

⚖️ EXPERTS

PTSD in Drone Operators: The Unseen Battlefield

For years, PTSD has been associated with boots-on-the-ground combat, but drone operators are proving that trauma doesn’t require physical danger. Despite never setting foot in a war zone, drone pilots experience war in one of the most intimate ways possible—watching their targets for weeks or months, witnessing their daily lives, then carrying out strikes and seeing the aftermath in high definition.

Studies now confirm what many drone operators have long known: their mental health struggles are just as real as those of traditional combat veterans. Nearly half report high operational stress, and a significant percentage meet the criteria for PTSD.

Unlike deployed service members, drone operators don’t get the separation of time and space between war and home life. One moment, they’re executing life-and-death decisions in a dark operations center; the next, they’re at the dinner table with their family. This emotional whiplash, combined with relentless work hours and exposure to violent imagery, can make it even harder to process trauma. Yet, many drone pilots struggle to have their PTSD taken seriously, simply because they weren’t in physical danger.

The good news?

The VA does recognize PTSD from electronic combat exposure, and there’s a path to benefits. If you or someone you know is a drone operator struggling with PTSD, it’s critical to document symptoms, seek support, and file a strong claim. Your service was real, and so is your trauma. You deserve care, understanding, and the benefits you’ve earned.

Filing a PTSD Claim with the VA

• VA Recognition: PTSD from electronic combat exposure is recognized by the VA.

• Key Requirements: To file a strong claim, drone operators should provide:

  • VA Form 21-526 (Disability Compensation Application)

  • A PTSD diagnosis from a VA-approved provider

  • Service records showing drone operations involvement

  • Medical history of treatment (therapy, medication, etc.)

  • Lay statements from family, peers, or fellow operators

PTSD isn’t just about physical danger—it’s about what you see, what you experience, and how it affects you. If you’re a drone pilot dealing with PTSD, you’re not alone. Document your symptoms, seek support, and get the benefits you deserve.

To learn more about PTSD in Drone Operators, filing a strong claim, and getting the benefits you deserve, visit our full article.

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

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us today 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 30 minutes 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 “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water Supply?

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances widely used in firefighting foams, water-resistant products, and industrial applications. These chemicals have been found in dangerously high concentrations in some water supplies, including on or near military bases. Learn if your military base was impacted using our Toxic Exposure Map.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health conditions, such as:

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Liver Cancer

If you or a loved one lived or worked in areas with PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may qualify for compensation.

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

Veterans Guide to Getting Migraine Benefits in 2025!

For many veterans, migraines aren't just an occasional headache—they're life-altering. In this eye-opening conversation, attorney Melanie Williams and host Nate Hillen explore veterans' real challenges when trying to get VA benefits for migraines. They explain how the VA rates migraines from 0% to 50% and why it's important for veterans to speak up during Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams. The discussion also highlights how migraines are often linked to other service-connected conditions like PTSD and the steps veterans can take to prove that connection. 

Beyond just ratings, Williams explains how severe migraines can impact a veteran's ability to work and why some may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) even if they don't meet the usual requirements. This video is packed with practical advice for veterans struggling to get the benefits they deserve. If migraines affect your daily life, this must-watch conversation could help you take the next step toward securing the support you need. 

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!