Brian Turner was born in 1967 in Visalia, CA, and raised in Fresno and Madera County. He attended Fresno City College before transferring to Fresno State, where he earned both his BA and MA. He later received his MFA from the University of Oregon. During this period, Turner also taught English in South Korea and traveled extensively, including to Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. 

Turner served as an infantry team leader in the United States Army, deploying to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 10th Mountain Division in 1999 and 2000, and later to Iraq beginning in November 2003 with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. 

Drawing on his wartime experience, Turner emerged as one of the most recognized veteran voices in American literature. His debut poetry collection, Here, Bullet (Alice James Books), won the 2005 Beatrice Hawley Award and earned widespread critical attention, with features in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and on NPR, among others.  

His honors include a Lannan Literary Fellowship, an NEA Literature Fellowship in Poetry, and the Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship. His second collection, Phantom Noise, was shortlisted for the 2010 T.S. Eliot Prize. 

Turner's work has appeared in publications ranging from the Georgia Review to National Geographic, and his writing was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience. He continues to write, teach, and give voice to the intersection of military service and the human experience. 

Honor veterans like Michael Patrick Murphy and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

Functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders (FGIMDs) are a group of chronic digestive conditions common among veterans that cause real, disruptive symptoms without visible physical damage on standard medical tests. VA recognizes these conditions and rates them under diagnostic codes 7319 (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or 7356 (Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Syndrome), whichever provides the higher rating. 

VA Ratings for Gastrointestinal Dysmotility Syndrome (DC 7356) 

Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders that VA Recognizes 

Presumptive Conditions That May Not Require Proof of Service Connection 

How to Service-Connect a Non-Presumptive GI Condition 

Veterans must establish three things to qualify for compensation: 

If Your Claim Is Denied 

Veterans can appeal, pursue secondary condition claims, or apply for TDIU if their GI condition prevents them from obtaining reliable employment. Strong medical records, a nexus opinion, and personal statements describing symptom frequency and daily impact are key to building a successful case. 

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

This weekly livestream goes beyond Q&A. In addition to answering your questions about VA disability law and the claims process, our legal team now features more information about the claims process than ever before. Comments open 1 hour before the Livestream starts, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

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

If you've been dealing with persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or reflux symptoms tied to your military service, a hiatal hernia claim may be worth pursuing. In this video, Hill & Ponton video producer Nate Fleming and attorney Rachel Cheek break down what hiatal hernias are, how VA rates them, and what changed in 2024. 

Attorney Cheek explains that a hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach pushes through a weakened diaphragm and into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, reflux, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. These symptoms can significantly impact eating, nutrition, and daily life. 

Veterans familiar with GERD ratings should take note: in May 2024, VA updated its rating criteria for digestive conditions. GERD and hiatal hernia, which were previously rated under the same code, are now rated separately under their own distinct criteria. Fleming and Attorney Cheek note that while ratings range from 0% to 80%, the criteria can be difficult to meet in practice, as many veterans experience significant symptoms but lack the documented procedures needed to support a higher rating. 

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!