March 2, 2021 – What do you need to do when a loved one who served in our military dies? There are many benefits survivors may be entitled to. The VA has created a Survivors and Burial Benefits kit to assist veterans and their families after the loss of a loved one. These kits include helpful information regarding government...
Continue ReadingMarch 2, 2021 – Did you know March is Brain Injury Awareness Month? Many veterans who suffered a head injury sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Preventative measures and awareness have increased thanks to multiple studies over the last several decades. A TBI can be serious and it is important to seek treatment. Common symptoms include severe or persistent...
Continue ReadingFebruary 26, 2021 – Disability payments to more than 160,000 veterans could be added if high blood pressure is added to the list of presumed illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester stated, “I think it’s nearly criminal that they don’t already have those benefits.” The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medine...
Continue ReadingLast updated February 24, 2021 – The VA states they have temporarily closed all of their 56 regional offices for in-person visits due to COVID-19. However, veterans and their families can still file claims for VA benefits online, by mail, or by fax. The VA is still processing veterans’ claims for benefits. Reference: Department of Veterans Affairs, https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/
Continue ReadingFebruary 24, 2021 – A plan made by the new VA Secretary Denis McDonough will assist veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. The goal is to implement new rules and a “faster path to receiving disability benefits.” Reference: Shane, III, Leo, “VA Secretary promises ‘urgency’ in implementing new Agent Orange presumptive benefit rules”, militarytimes.com, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/02/23/va-secretary-promises-urgency-in-implementing-new-agent-orange-presumptive-benefits-rules/
Continue ReadingIn South Carolina alone, there were more than 950 pending lawsuits against chemical manufacturers in January 2021. A growing number of firefighters are realizing the connection between the aqueous film-forming foams they use to put out gas fires and various health concerns. Among the claims filed, firefighters report breast cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and bladder cancer. Source: Drug...
Continue ReadingVeterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other areas in Southwest Asia should register if they have concerns about toxic exposure while serving in Southwest Asia. Long-term medical issues have been known to arise as a result of airborne hazards such as smoke and fumes from burn pits, fuel, aircraft exhaust, sand, dust, general air pollution, oil well...
Continue ReadingFebruary 17, 2021 – The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reported at their panel that there were currently 562 cases pending in the Zantac Lawsuit MDL. Reference: “Zantac Lawsuit: February 2021 Update – Zantac Cancer Claims.” Drug Watch, www.drugwatch.com/zantac/lawsuits/.
Continue ReadingZimmer Biomet is filing for a new trial after a jury ruled they owed plaintiffs $3.55 million for a metal-on-metal hip implant. Lawyers for Zimmer Biomet state there are many missteps that opposing counsel and the court took to warrant a new trial, including Admittance of general evidence, Misrepresentation of the law, Allowing application of irrelevant law, and Submitting...
Continue ReadingFebruary 14, 2021 – The Healing Warriors Program is a program that provides non-narcotic therapy to veterans and their families for pain, PTSD, and sleep. Their mission is to advance individual wellbeing for Veterans and their families through evidence-based complementary care services and education. They are focused on trying to lower suicide rates in veterans. Reference: Markard, Tamara, “Healing...
Continue Reading