

DOGE Alert: My $1,000 appeal Cost the Government $15,000
Perhaps the memo hasn’t reached the BVA. This administration is all about conserving scarce government resources. As the saying goes, there are three fights with the VA. The fight for service-connection, the fight for the right rating, and finally, the fight for the correct effective date. What if the VA gets your effective date wrong by just one month? It is only 1,000 bucks. Should you file an appeal? Well, we did just that, and it costs the government well over $15,000 to get a lesson in Special Monthly Compensation (“SMC”) effective dates.

Beyond the BBQ: Service and Success This Independence Day
Jeff came to me in January of 2024. He is one of those types of guys where when you hear what all he has done, you immediately know his awards and decorations spill over into box 18 of the ole DD-214. First a Marine, then a pararescueman. You don’t see that combo-box every day. Jeff recently got a full Board grant for everything but the kitchen sink. It will make celebrating this Fourth of July that much better for him. While Jeff’s active-duty days may be over, the spirit he embodies is alive and well, and very fitting for a Fourth of July story.
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”.
Looking for something specific?
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Board of Veterans' Appeals
- Aug 22, 2025 DOGE Alert: My $1,000 appeal Cost the Government $15,000 Aug 22, 2025
- Jul 3, 2025 Beyond the BBQ: Service and Success This Independence Day Jul 3, 2025
- 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
- Aug 22, 2025 DOGE Alert: My $1,000 appeal Cost the Government $15,000 Aug 22, 2025
- Nov 23, 2024 BVA Declares War on Most Severe Veterans Nov 23, 2024
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Victories
- Jul 3, 2025 Beyond the BBQ: Service and Success This Independence Day Jul 3, 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
- 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
Perhaps the memo hasn’t reached the BVA. This administration is all about conserving scarce government resources. As the saying goes, there are three fights with the VA. The fight for service-connection, the fight for the right rating, and finally, the fight for the correct effective date. What if the VA gets your effective date wrong by just one month? It is only 1,000 bucks. Should you file an appeal? Well, we did just that, and it costs the government well over $15,000 to get a lesson in Special Monthly Compensation (“SMC”) effective dates.