

VLJ Lauren Cryan: It’s just leukemia, so what?
I should have known the writing was on the wall the second the hearing coordinator uttered “the Judge today is Judge Cryan”. Its just about unheard of to say a Board judge is anti-Veteran. Afterall, the whole point of working for the VA is about helping Veterans. Most judges go above and beyond to help our Veterans, especially ones like “Brad”. Brad never stepped foot in Vietnam, instead he was in nearby Thailand. He got the same douse of Agent Orange, though, as if he had been in Vietnam. As a result, Brad is ate up with leukemia—severely disabled is an understatement. However, Judge Cryan has her doubts.

Out of the Trenches, Into the Sea
When I started my practice, it was right into the trenches of the VA. Doing battle as best I could for Veterans. The Regional Office and the Board is where the action happens. Its where benefits are granted or denied. Where your client gets relief just in time to avoid eviction. Act and react. Doing a deep dive review and formulating the best plan of attack to get this Veteran the benefits they deserve, as quickly as possible. That is what practicing and litigating is about. Its what gets a Veteran the relief that they desperately need. Recently, I have had to leave the trenches and go out into the sea, but with good cause. Not as a means to abandon ship, or you, but to (hopefully) help more Veterans.

Hometown Heroes: Featuring Major James Capers, Jr.
It feels good to be writing again. Once this new administration got settled in, it has been Life in the Fast Lane, buddy. Even as I write this, the decisions are still rolling in hot. Yet, I wanted to take the time to tell you about another Home Town Hero, Major James Capers, Jr. With your help, he just might receive the Medal of Honor. Better late than never, right?

Life in the Fast Lane
The Board has been cranking out decisions like a pasta machine on steroids. Sounds nice enough? The problem? They forgot to mix the dough first, forgot the eggs, and neglected to reference the cook book first. What they’ve thrown in the oven is a mixed bag of decisions. Now don’t get me wrong, there have been some good decisions, but two I got this week were like half-baked lasagna. Burnt and crispy on the outside, cold and wet in the middle. I guess they are worried about their annual report to Congress this year. Maybe Elon has been hanging out at Central Office?

Denis Misses Final Lesson; Pickin’ & Grinnin’ in Minneapolis
Out with Denis, in with Douglas. What a year this has been. It seems like just last week we were still exploding over Mat Gaetz being nominated for AG. I have done this work under different presidents. One thing that is consistent about the VA is how inconsistent it is, and can it screw up anything, regardless of who occupies the White House. My only regret from McDonough’s tenure is that he departed while a final lesson I had was pending. Oh well, I still got to do some pickin’ and grinnin’, recently with the best VA advocates in the Nation. We still have the same consensus: The VA is still the VA, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.

Hometown Heroes: Featuring Senior Airman Michael J. Buras
Its hard to believe how fast this year has been. It seems like just last week, I was writing about Thanksgiving. Christmas always comes as a time of reflection, of what we have accomplished within the past year. It also comes as a time to gather with family, laugh with loved ones, and glare from the window as your family’s version Cousin Eddie pulls in the driveway. For others, its a time to remember loved ones. The Buras family is no exception. This Christmas, I would like to introduce the Hometown Heroes series. Our featured hero comes from my hometown, Senior Airman Michael J. Buras.

VA Benefits for Camp Lejeune Family Members?
If you ever hear someone tell you they know everything about the VA, you can safely grab your hat and head for the door. The VA is the second largest federal agency, soon to surpass the size of the DoD. There are literally hundreds of benefit programs available. Programs range from disability compensation, education benefits, to home loans. Are they all limited to Veterans? What about Camp Lejeune family members? One thing I love about this job is the number of niche areas within an already niche area of law. The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program is one of those. One I had no idea about.
The Rest of the Story: Annette’s Side of Things
I began pestering Annette just before Thanksgiving for some pictures of her and Monte. When I explained what I was up to, she said she didn’t mind if I used their names. I was delighted. The amount of lives you touch doing this grows rapidly. It always brings me joy to share some of these stories. You heard my side of representing Annette in my Thanksgiving post. Now, Annette gives us “the rest of the story”.

A Deserving Widow’s Thanksgiving Just got Better
It’s hard to believe another year has almost came and went. Another year representing the best people America has to offer. For me, I still get that same sense of awe and wonder. The fact that I am allowed to represent so many fine Veterans, widows, and families, across the country, brings me so much joy. Each with a unique story. This Thanksgiving, I have been able to help make one wife’s Thanksgiving a little bit easier.

BVA Declares War on Most Severe Veterans
The best quality decision from the VA comes from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The downside? The wait time usually spans multiple years. To fix this, Congress allowed certain Veterans to ask for “advancement”, getting their case placed at the top of the line. Today, I will discuss the Board’s recent war on the bankrupt, dying, and seriously ill Veterans.

Why I’m Still on a Mission
When I met Denise, she had one of the oldest appeals within the VA. Frankly, I didn’t believe a lot of what she was telling me. That is, until I began to see for myself the endless state of denials she had been in. This story takes you through my representation of her and ultimately, victory.
Looking for something specific?
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Board of Veterans' Appeals
- Apr 18, 2025 Life in the Fast Lane Apr 18, 2025
- Dec 11, 2024 VA Benefits for Camp Lejeune Family Members? Dec 11, 2024
- Dec 4, 2024 The Rest of the Story: Annette’s Side of Things Dec 4, 2024
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CAVC
- Jun 13, 2025 Out of the Trenches, Into the Sea Jun 13, 2025
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Camp Lejeune Family Member Program
- Dec 11, 2024 VA Benefits for Camp Lejeune Family Members? Dec 11, 2024
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DIC
- Dec 4, 2024 The Rest of the Story: Annette’s Side of Things Dec 4, 2024
- Nov 27, 2024 A Deserving Widow’s Thanksgiving Just got Better Nov 27, 2024
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Survivor's Benefits
- Dec 4, 2024 The Rest of the Story: Annette’s Side of Things Dec 4, 2024
- Nov 27, 2024 A Deserving Widow’s Thanksgiving Just got Better Nov 27, 2024
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VA Idiocracy
- Nov 23, 2024 BVA Declares War on Most Severe Veterans Nov 23, 2024
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Victories
- Dec 11, 2024 VA Benefits for Camp Lejeune Family Members? Dec 11, 2024
- Dec 4, 2024 The Rest of the Story: Annette’s Side of Things Dec 4, 2024
- Nov 27, 2024 A Deserving Widow’s Thanksgiving Just got Better Nov 27, 2024
- Nov 23, 2024 Why I’m Still on a Mission Nov 23, 2024
I should have known the writing was on the wall the second the hearing coordinator uttered “the Judge today is Judge Cryan”. Its just about unheard of to say a Board judge is anti-Veteran. Afterall, the whole point of working for the VA is about helping Veterans. Most judges go above and beyond to help our Veterans, especially ones like “Brad”. Brad never stepped foot in Vietnam, instead he was in nearby Thailand. He got the same douse of Agent Orange, though, as if he had been in Vietnam. As a result, Brad is ate up with leukemia—severely disabled is an understatement. However, Judge Cryan has her doubts.