Advertise on podcast: Victory Over V.A. Podcast

For many survivors of military sexual trauma, the hardest part of pursuing VA disability benefits may begin long before a claim is ever filed. Shame, silence, and the difficulty of acknowledging what happened can keep veterans from seeking help for decades. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison discuss what they call the "silence tax," why MST claims are different from many other VA disability claims, what evidence the VA may consider, and why it is never too late for a survivor to file.

For Blue Water Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange, changes in the law have opened doors that were once closed. But what happens when a veteran’s ship is missing from the VA’s list, or a claim was denied decades ago? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison explain why an old denial may not be the end of the story, what evidence can help establish service in Vietnam’s territorial waters, and why some surviving spouses may also have benefits worth pursuing.

Faster VA disability decisions sound like good news, but what happens when speed comes at the expense of a careful review? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison examine how automation is changing VA claims processing, why complex claims can still fall through the cracks, and what veterans should understand before choosing an appeal path after a denial.

What happens when an Agent Orange claim that was denied years ago may qualify under today’s rules? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison revisit Agent Orange presumptions, explain how the PACT Act changed the landscape for some veterans, and discuss why veterans who served in Thailand, Guam, territorial waters near Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia may want to take another look at previously denied claims.

The PACT Act made it easier for many veterans to connect certain cancers to toxic exposure, but that does not mean every burn pit cancer claim gets approved. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Alexandra Jackson and Francis Jackson explain why some cancers still fall outside VA presumptions, what veterans can do when records are missing, and why pursuing a claim may still matter even when a veteran is seriously ill.

VA disability rating criteria can change, but what happens to the rating you already have? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Alexandra Jackson and Francis Jackson break down grandfathering, proposed changes involving tinnitus and sleep apnea, protected ratings, routine reexaminations, and why veterans should understand the potential trade-offs before asking VA to reevaluate a disability.

The VA is turning to automation to process a growing number of disability claims, but what happens when a complicated case does not fit neatly into the system? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison discuss automated VA decisions, the risks facing veterans with complex claims, and why human judgment may still be essential when the facts are anything but simple.

The PACT Act has transformed VA disability benefits for millions of veterans, yet many who qualify still have not filed a claim. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison explain why the law remains as important today as it was when it was signed and what veterans need to know to avoid common mistakes.

Your VA claims file, commonly called your C-File, contains the story behind your disability claim. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison explain why carefully reviewing every page of that file can uncover overlooked evidence, missing records, and the key details that can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful outcome.

Receiving a VA denial can feel like the end of the road. For many veterans, the first instinct is to panic, file a brand-new claim, or simply give up. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, Attorney Francis Jackson and Attorney Kristian Terison explain why the smartest strategy is often patience, persistence, and understanding the appeals process. They break down what happens after a denial, why appeals take time, and how staying the course can protect years of valuable back benefits.

Many veterans struggle with daily tasks without realizing they may qualify for additional VA benefits. In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison explain Aid and Attendance benefits, who qualifies, common misconceptions, and practical steps veterans can take to strengthen a claim.

Could one of the biggest changes to VA disability benefits in years be good news for veterans? In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison break down proposed changes to the VA's mental health rating system. From a new minimum rating for service-connected mental health conditions to a framework that looks beyond employment alone, these updates could open the door to higher ratings and greater access to benefits for many veterans.

Tinnitus has long been one of the most common disability claims in the VA system. But proposed changes could reshape how veterans pursue compensation for ringing in their ears and potentially eliminate tinnitus as a standalone claim. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorney Francis Jackson and attorney Kristian Terison break down what these proposed changes could mean for veterans, why tinnitus claims have been so common, and what veterans should do now if they have symptoms but have never filed a claim.

Could thousands of veterans lose access to one of the VA's most significant disability ratings? In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison discuss the VA's proposed changes to sleep apnea disability ratings and why veterans with unfiled claims may need to act sooner rather than later. They break down what the proposed rule could mean, who may be affected, and why filing an Intent to File could be one of the most important steps a veteran takes right now.

What happens when a veteran can mostly function on their own, but not quite enough to live safely without help? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorney Francis Jackson explains one of the VA's most overlooked benefits: Special Monthly Compensation T (SMC-T). If a veteran's traumatic brain injury requires ongoing supervision or assistance, even when they aren't living in a nursing home, they may qualify for significantly higher monthly compensation. The challenge is knowing how to recognize it and how to prove it.