We join you all in saying thanks to all those who have served our country, and remembering the prices they have paid in serving, in sustaining injuries and, for some, the ultimate price - giving their lives in service. On this Memorial Day Weekend, before the barbecues and the buy one get one sales, please take a moment and reflect on the sacrifices these men and women have made on behalf of the rest of us. And then maybe reflect on it again before the next sale or picnic. To all past, present and future Service Members, we offer our humble Thank You! If you would like to help Serve Members, Veterans and their families - consider giving to one of the many worthy organizations engaged in important services to these folks. One organization Cascadia Disability Law is proud to support is Lines for Life - please learn more about them at: www.linesforlife.org. Here is the Memorial Day Message from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

Portland area readers, please tune in to KPTV Fox 12 throughout the day on Thursday, May 21, 2015 for the first annual Stand with our Vets Telethon! All of the money raised goes to support Veterans and their families through the military lines and services offered by Lines for Life. There will be a special thirty minutes, from 6:30 to 7:00 pm Thursday evening, to spotlight the phone lines. The information below is specific to the help Lines for Life provides for Veterans:

• Military Helpline: 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838). The Military Helpline serves members of the military, Veterans and their families anonymously 24-hours a day with a team of Veterans and trained volunteer crisis workers. Secure online chat is also available at: MilitaryHelpline.org

Understanding Your VA Benefits Rating Decision The rating decision is the one piece of mail sent by the VA that most Veterans are excited to receive, especially since it often includes a favorable rating and effective date. Receiving a rating decision also means that your case has moved up one rung on the ladder known as the VA benefits system. Even if the VA benefits rating decision is not entirely favorable, at least it means that you are able to move your claim up the ladder and determine the next step to take. The VA benefits rating decision should include a cover letter. This cover page often is referred to as the Notice of Action (NOA). The NOA is important because the date of the NOA determines when your deadline is to file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The NOA also includes a breakdown of the decision made on each individual issue in your claim. The VA benefits rating decision itself typically includes a number of components. A short narrative of the Veteran’s military service and claim history, followed by a list of the decisions made on each issue in the claim. Then a list of the evidence used to decide the claim. Next the VA benefits rating decision goes through each issue in greater detail, discussing whether service connection was granted, and if so, what rating was assigned for that impairment, as well as the effective date for that specific rating. This more detailed decision explanation is the most important substantive part of the rating decision if the Veteran decides to appeal, because it shows what evidence the VA reviewed and what the rationale was behind their decision. This gives the Veteran a good idea of any additional evidence needed to develop and support the claim(s). Often, the VA benefits rating decision shows that an independent medical opinion or missing military records will go a significant way toward securing the Veteran a favorable outcome. The VA benefits rating decision also is accompanied by the rating sheet, which shows a history of all the VA benefits claims made by the Veteran. It is important to remember that the VA is very strict on the deadlines to appeal any decision. If a Veteran is unsatisfied with any portion of her or his VA benefits rating decision then a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) must be filed within one year of the date on the NOA to be considered timely. If you have received a rating decision and are unhappy or unsure of any of the information given by the VA, we would welcome the opportunity to review your claim with you. We offer FREE consultations and are knowledgeable about the entire VA benefits rating decision and claims process. Contact us at 1-800-891-0867 or via Cascadia Disability Law if you have any questions or concerns regarding your VA benefits rating decision or VA disability claim. If you would like more information about Veterans Disability or Social Security Disability benefits – please contact us at any time. The attorneys and staff of Cascadia Disability Law help people just like YOU! We fight to get you the benefits you deserve at the earliest stage possible in the claim process. Call or email us anytime – 503-891-8376 / 800-891-0867, Help@CascadiaDisabilityLaw.com