Katrina Eagle

San Diego, CA and Washington, DC

I have been representing veterans and their appeals for VA benefits for over 13 years now. In addition to being a zealous advocate for my clients, I am also Vice President of NOVA (Nat'l Org of Veterans' Advocates) and co-chair of the Military Law Committee of my local bar ass'tn. This is the most rewarding work because of the group of people I get to help, and because the landscape in this area of practice is always changing. Every case is unique and presents a different set of facts from which I learn too. Information is power!

You practice in this area of law long enough and you start to see patterns in the rationale the VA uses to deny a veteran's claim for service-connected benefits.  The most prevelant? 
 
For veterans of World War II (yes, they too have their VA claims denied), Korea and Vietnam, the VA loves to deny the claim on grounds that too much time has passed between the veteran's period of service and their claim for benefits, that it's impossible for their to be a relationship between the two. 
 
For many Gulf War veterans, their medical conditions get stuck in the quagmire of "Gulf War Syndrome"; of course, this may soon improve in light of new recognition by the medical community that GWS is a valid medical condition, but only time will tell. 
 
For veterans of OEF/OIF, the VA refuses to believe these young men and women may actually be too disabled to be employable, so many of them face VA proposals to reduce their monthly VA benefits.
 
And of course, for veterans of any era with what I call a "squishy" medical condition (that is, one that is not observable by the human eye or objective medical test such as an x-ray, a PFT, etc.) -- PTSD is a perfect example -- their claims are routinely denied for any myriad reasons.
 
All of these are invalid reasons for the VA to deny the veteran's claim.  I just hope the veteran doesn't accept the VA's rejection of their claim and give up.
 
I am passionate about my clients.  I am equally passionate about disseminating information.  I understand -- to a point -- why the VA is unable to assist every veteran one-on-one, but I also think the information a veteran needs to know in order to submit a successful claim for VA service-connected benefits is way too hard to find and, or to convoluted to decipher.  To that end, I conduct annual training seminars in which I help veterans service representatives, attorneys and other veterans’ advocates learn about the VA's benefits system, and how to better navigate their veterans' cases through it.  I also present before various state bar associations, veterans service organizations and at legal seminars.  And I still maintain my accreditation as a veterans service representative with VVA and United Spinal Association.
 
I am often asked how I chose this area of the law to practice.  Truth is, it found me!  And I am glad (most days!) it did!  I began working on behalf of veterans as a legislative analyst for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1995.  In 1998, Vietnam Veterans of America hired me as their Deputy Director for the Veterans Benefits Program.  This job with VVA really opened my eyes to the difficulties many veterans face when trying to obtain their VA service-connected compensation and benefits.  While working for VVA, I represented veteran-claimants before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.  Thereafter, I shifted my focus to veterans' heath issues, most notably hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus, and joined a consulting firm as a health policy analyst focusing on veterans’ health issues.  In January 2001, I decided to put my law degree to good use and went back to my first love -- advocating for veterans -- by joining The Law Office of Wildhaber & Associates, PLLC.  Recently, I became the managing partner of a new law firm, The Veterans Law Office of Eagle & Wildhaber, LLP.  With this new endeavor, I and my law partner, Michael Wildhaber, have renewed our commitment to assisting America’s veterans and their families obtain the VA benefits to which they are entitled.
 
 
 

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Patrick Lahaye

Untitled

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Last edited Nov 8, 2009 2:36 PM
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Anonymous

Combating the "system"

The PCP that I'm referring to is my VA PCP, and he's been reluctant to assist me with my appeal process. That was until I contacted the Medical Support Director (Katharine) from the VHA...not the VBA. She placed one phone call to my PCP and his response was "I'd be happy to provide this vet with a "descriptive statement" of his current medical conditions. As it turns out, he cannot provide an actual nexus letter, but he (by VHA directives) is obligated to assess my current medical conditions and to place a descriptive statement in my jacket. Should you need assistance, the VHA Support Director can be reached at 202-461-7114...very helpful.

Last edited Nov 26, 2008 12:28 PM
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Anonymous

PCP Assistance

I recently requested a "Nexus Letter" from my PCP and he denied my request. I am at the DRO personal review hearing level with my appeal and had hopes that my PCP would assist me in establishing a connection between my service-connected injuries and my current medical condition(s). Any advice on what course I may now take?

Last edited Nov 25, 2008 5:12 PM
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Anonymous

To Katrina Eagle

How can i get ahold of you? have been fighting the VA for ten years now. Please send email address. I live out of state in Arizona. Thx John

Last edited Oct 2, 2008 9:37 PM
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Anonymous

Getting There

I am taking the Bar Exam in WA State in Feb 09. I am a 100% Service Connected Vietnam Vet (PTSD) who got a late start in law (48 yrs old in 1994 when I entered SIU Law). (I am a VVA Lfe Member) Assuming I can pass, I would like to get going on helping veterans here in WA. We have an Access to Justice Project whom I will approach, but wonder if there is something I can do t get up to speed from March to May when I find out the bar results? Any suggestions? I would love to sit down and work with someone and learn while doing!

Thanks,

Paul

PS 200 triathlons, including 4 X Hawaii IM. You?

Last edited Dec 31, 2008 6:49 AM
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