🎖️ VALOR

Understanding Additional Benefits for Surviving Spouses Under DIC

Did you know that surviving spouses receiving VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may qualify for additional payments beyond the basic rate? In this video, we explore the extra benefits available, such as the enhanced DIC rate, which applies if the veteran was rated 100% disabled for 10 years or more. We’ll also cover Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits for spouses requiring assistance with daily tasks, and how dependent children or parents might qualify for higher rates under specific conditions. 

If you’re navigating the complexities of DIC benefits, this video provides clear insights to help you secure the support your family needs.  

⚖️ EXPERTS

What is TDIU? A Quick Guide to Understanding Total Disability Individual Unemployability 

Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a vital VA benefit that provides financial support to veterans who are unable to maintain substantial employment due to service-connected disabilities. Even if your combined VA disability rating is less than 100%, TDIU compensates you at the 100% rate if your service-connected condition(s) prevent you from working. 

Purpose of TDIU 

TDIU ensures that veterans who can’t work due to their service-connected conditions receive sufficient financial support. It’s designed to bridge the gap between a veteran's inability to work and the economic challenges that come with it. 

Basic Eligibility Criteria 

To qualify for TDIU, veterans must meet specific criteria: 

Disability Ratings: 

• A single service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher. 

• OR two or more disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, where one is rated at least 40%. 

Evidence of Unemployability: 

• Proof that service-connected disabilities make maintaining substantially gainful employment impossible. Evidence can include medical records, employment history, and personal statements. 

VA Regulations: 

• Veterans with disabilities that don’t meet these thresholds may still qualify under "extraschedular TDIU" if they can prove their conditions prevent employment. 

Key Features of TDIU 

• No Age Restriction: There is no age criteria for TDIU eligibility. Veterans of any age can apply and be granted TDIU. 

• Sheltered Employment: Veterans working in a modified or supportive job environment may still qualify if their income exceeds the poverty threshold. 

How to Apply 

Need Help with TDIU? Contact our team at Hill & Ponton and get help today. 

Why TDIU Matters 

TDIU provides essential financial relief to veterans whose service-connected conditions have significantly impacted their lives. By ensuring compensation at the 100% disability rate, TDIU helps veterans achieve greater stability and peace of mind. 

If you believe you qualify for TDIU, it’s crucial to gather strong evidence and seek guidance from a VA-accredited representative to maximize your chances of success. 

🦅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’ Success in Securing Service Connection for Multiple Conditions Linked to Toxic Exposure 

Note: All identifying information has been changed to protect the identity of the client. These case examples are taken from the BVA database for educational purposes. If they are Hill & Ponton clients, it will be indicated. 

Summary of Claim 

A Navy and Air Force veteran, who served from June 1962 to December 1969, sought service connection for bladder cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension. He attributed these conditions to toxic chemical exposure during his service as an aviation machinist. This case underscores the importance of private medical evidence in linking toxic exposure to chronic health conditions. 

The Outcome 

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) granted service connection for all four conditions. 

Granted: 

• Bladder Cancer: Linked to exposure to carcinogens like benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and asbestos. 

• Diabetes Mellitus Type II: Attributed to in-service exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). 

• CAD: Connected to environmental toxins, including lead, benzene, and PCBs. 

• Hypertension: Associated with exposure to PCBs and diesel exhaust toxins. 

Why Was This Decision Made? 

The favorable decision was based on the following critical factors: 

Documented Toxic Exposure 

The veteran’s military occupational specialty as an aviation machinist exposed him to hazardous substances, including benzene, TCE, asbestos, PCBs, and diesel fuel exhaust. The VA conceded these exposures based on his service records. 

Detailed Private Medical Opinions 

Two private physicians provided nexus opinions directly connecting the veteran’s conditions to his toxic exposure during service: 

• Bladder Cancer: Linked to exposure to carcinogens, as supported by epidemiological studies. 

• Diabetes Mellitus Type II, CAD, and Hypertension: Connected to endocrine disruption, chronic inflammation, and metabolic syndrome caused by PCBs and other toxins. 

Minimized Alternate Risk Factors 

The physicians emphasized that the veteran had minimal non-service-related risk factors. For example, while he had a history of light tobacco use, he quit decades before his diagnoses, eliminating it as a significant contributor. 

Comprehensive Evidence Review 

The Board found the private medical opinions more persuasive than the VA examiner’s negative opinion, as they provided robust scientific reasoning and cited relevant medical literature. 

Lessons for Veterans 

This case highlights the importance of private medical evaluations and expert opinions when seeking service connection for conditions related to toxic exposures. Veterans in similar situations should: 

• Gather Evidence of Exposure: Document the chemicals or hazardous substances you were exposed to during service. 

• Secure Expert Medical Opinions: Obtain evaluations from specialists who can provide detailed rationales linking your conditions to service. 

• Challenge Negative VA Opinions: Present well-supported private evidence to counter VA examiners' conclusions. 

If you’re struggling to secure benefits for service-related conditions or believe your exposure history hasn’t been properly considered, contact us at (855) 494-1298 for a free case evaluation. Our experienced team can help you navigate the VA claims process and fight for the benefits you deserve.