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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DISABILITY REPRESENTATIVES 5 NADR CONFERENCE AGENDA, DAY BY DAY 9 NADR GIVES BACK FOURTH QUARTER 2017
IN THIS ISSUE:
11 NETWORKING FOR RESULTS WITH MADELINE XAVIER 14 VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : STEVE SKINNER 15 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : HEATHER CLARK LONERO 16 CONFERENCE DECONSTRUCTED : VA DISABILITY RATINGS 17 NADR LEGISLATIVE BLITZ 18 ADR SPOTLIGHT MEMBER : MICHELE MAROIS
NADR NEWSLETTER FOURTH QUARTER 2017
I N TH IS ISS U E 3 A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 NADR CONFERENCE : MARCH 11-14, 2018 5 NADR CONFERENCE AGENDA 9 NADR GIVES BACK 10 SHOUT-OUT FOR SERVICE PROJECT CHALLENGE
CONTENTS
11 NETWORKING FOR RESULTS : MADELINE XAVIER 14 VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : STEVE SKINNER 15 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : HEATHER CLARK LONERO 16 CONFERENCE DECONSTRUCTED : VA DISABILITY RATINGS BY TIMOTHY M. KLOB, ATTORNEY 17 NADR LEGISLATIVE BLITZ 18 ADR SPOTLIGHT MEMBER : MICHELE MAROIS 19 NADR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT Having been an active member of NADR for seven years, I continue to see, up close, the outstanding work this organization performs every day for our members and their clients, largely through the efforts of volunteers. I’ve noticed a couple of distinct “paths” our members take with regard to their benefits. One is a passive approach -- Pay dues, buy CEU credits, participate in a TRS area code or two, rinse, repeat. And that’s OK, as I believe TRS is a superb benefit, and worth the “price of admission” all by itself. The other path is much more active -- attend conferences, volunteer, use “Talklist”, become an ADR, join the family. Of course there are multiple mixes and combinations between those paths. Which path do you walk? Or do you blaze your own trail? These questions come to mind because, beginning with this issue of our Newsletter, and continuing, you will start to see references to our upcoming National Law Conference in St. Louis next March. It’s never too early to start making your plans to attend. Don’t get me wrong -- failing to attend the Conference does not make you a “bad rep”. I’ve been guilty a time or two of appearing condescending toward those who don’t come to our conferences. And I’ve been chastised by those who rightfully point out that they just can’t attend -- for various reasons, (mostly financial). But, as I have so often, I will “testify” to the rewards of a more active membership approach.
Cost of attending one conference: Registration + Travel + Lodging + Food. (Be sure and subtract the cost of buying your CEU package, negated by attending). “Minimum” benefits of conference attendance (sample): One practice tip learned + One formal training technique + One Marketing pointer + One Lead exchanged + One FDC attorney met + One friend for life made + Elimination of buying canned CEU sessions + One business expense tax break + One really good time. Now that’s only a sample of benefits -- I actually gain even more. And I know budgets are strained to the breaking point. But I once literally borrowed money to attend a conference, and my bottom line resurged as a direct result of my experience there. If you’ve never attended an annual conference, or if it’s been a while, please consider the benefits of attending. And if at all possible, look at the long term rewards rather than just the short term costs. See you in St. Louie!
Philip Litteral, Philip Litteral
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NADR Conference Agenda Sunday, March 11, 2018 “Networking Day”
Registration and Exhibit Hall Open 4:00-8:00pm Take advantage of the following opportunities to get to know other attendees!
12:00 – 5:00pm $30 per person
Choose Your Day! Get to know our beautiful host city with one of the following options: 1.) St. Louis Walking Tour: This includes a guided walk from the Hilton to the St. Louis Riverfront with stops at the Old Courthouse, location of the Dred Scott trial, ride to the top of the St. Louis Arch and a one-hour riverboat cruise. This is a great tour for anyone who wants to experience the recently renovated historic St. Louis riverfront. 2.) Cardinal’s Nation Tour: Calling all Cardinal's baseball fans!!! Go on a private tour of Busch Stadium with peeks inside the radio booth, premiere clubs and a walk onto the track around the field. After the tour visit the Cardinal's Hall of Fame and enjoy a Budweiser at Ballpark Village where fans gather for pregame parties before every home game. A private tour of Busch Stadium is a rare treat sure to enthrall all baseball fans.
12:00 – 5:00pm Free
NADR Learning Lounge For those that want to get a head-start on learning new techniques, we will have several mini sessions to offer with no extra registration required. Stay tuned for a schedule of topics!
4:00-8:00pm
Conference Registration is Open!
5:00-6:30pm
Service Project NADR loves to give back to our host cities! Our goal is to build 500 kits to benefit St. Louis charitable organizations including the St. Patrick Center, Covenant House, The Eagle’s Nest and Gateway 180. We will not include any game this year, or planned discussion, but working alongside other attendees for a good cause will be a great way to get to know other attendees!
6:30 – 8:00pm
Emerging Professionals Happy Hour @ StartBar Designed to engage NADR’s next generation! If you are new to the profession and/or want to get more involved with NADR, come ready to network with colleagues and NADR Leadership!
Meet in Exhibit Hall
Meet at hotel lobby at 6:15 to walk together Cash Bar
8:00-9:00pm Cash Bar
Home Team Mixer Our official “kickoff” event will give you the chance to meet new colleagues and catch up with old friends. Hors d’Oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar. Be sure to wear your home team jersey or shirt! NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
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NADR Conference Agenda
Monday, March 12, 2018
Registration Desk and Exhibit Hall are open 7am-5pm.
7:00-8:00am
Networking Breakfast (included in registration)
8:00-8:30am
Welcome
8:30-9:30am
Post Hearing Knuckleballs: Winning Brief Arguments
9:30-10:45am
Medical Expert Cross Examination: Tips for Success
Phil Litteral, NADR President Cliff Berkley, Emcee
Karl Osterhout, Esq.
Meredith Marcus, Esq. Frederick Daley, Esq.
Take advantage of this time to meet other attendees and speak with sponsors. Welcome to St. Louis! Cliff can't wait to share some important information with you, including providing tutorials for using the conference app, q&a software, and the electronic materials. Be sure to attend so that you can get the most out of your "Grand Slam" experience! Continue to advocate for your client after the hearing with effective post hearing briefs! Karl will discuss issues that you need to include in order to get the W! Strategies and best practices for effective cross-examination of medical experts that can turn unfavorable testimony into positive opinions, leading to a winning outcome.
10:45-11:00am
Networking Break
11:00am-12:00pm
SSR 17-4p and Other Important New Issues in the League
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch On Your Own (or with a few colleagues)
1:30-2:30pm
Hardball Tactics: Everything You Need to Know About Cross Examination, You Learned From Watching The Princess Bride
David F. Chermol, Esq.
Stay up to date on recent developments and what you should do as a representative to make sure you are in total compliance.
Dave uses the classic film to demonstrate truths about effective, and ineffective representation at the hearing level.
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2:30-3:00pm
Networking Break
3:00-4:00pm
Mock Hearing: Winning a Weak Case
4:30-5:30pm
Annual NADR Business Meeting
7:00-10:00pm
Annual President’s Banquet
10:00pm-12:00am
NADR After-party (cash bar)
Don’t just visit the locker room, use this time to discuss our profession with your colleagues! A demonstration of techniques to use to get a favorable decision, even with the most difficult case. Open to NADR members only in order to discuss regular business and vote on bylaw changes that were previously distributed. This isn’t your typical conference reception – it’s the party of the year! This year, the fun will be at Three Sixty, the rooftop bar at the hotel. An extension of the President’s Banquet for our night owls!
NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
NADR Conference Agenda Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Registration Desk and Exhibit Hall are open 7am-6:30pm.
7:00-8:30am
Networking Breakfast (Included in registration)
7:50-8:30am
Gold Sponsor Presentations
8:30-9:30am
Keynote: SSA Update
9:30-10:30am
Keynote: 2+2 Update
10:30-11:00am
Networking Break
11:00am-Noon
Legislative Update: Talk Show Style
Noon-1:30pm
Lunch on Your Own (or with a few colleagues)
1:30-2:30 pm
Breakout Session A 1. Sedentary Unskilled Jobs
Jeanne Morin Scot Whitaker, ADR Barbara Manna, ADR
Chris O’Connor, Esq.
Michael Liner, Esq.
Champion athletes rely on the best equipment to help them excel. Are you? Learn about products and services can help you be a better representative. Hear directly from SSA about new initiatives that affect our profession. Learn about recent hearing office procedure changes and about what’s coming down the road!
What is NADR doing to give members a voice in DC? Come to this interview with our legislative leaders to learn what NADR is working on and how you can help.
Have you seen a dramatic decline in the number of fully favorable decisions for claimants under 50 who are often denied with a sedentary hypo? Improve your win rates by learning how to attack the sedentary unskilled jobs listed by vocational experts.
2. Marketing Your Business
This session will begin with a panel q&a discussion designed to answer common questions about business marketing and then will continue with the panel offering a case study for a member of the audience. The session will end by the panel offering first steps for a marketing action plan.
2:30-3:30pm Timothy Klob, Esq. Marilyn Hamilton, Esq.
Breakout Session B 1. Representing the Claimant with PTSD
The discussion generated from this session will benefit both Social Security Disability, and VA Disability Representatives. Learn about the disabling symptoms of PTSD and how to prove functional limitations related to the diagnoses.
2. Basic Hypothetical Wording with Language
Stop pulling language from left field and learn how to form effective hypotheticals from the ALJ’s perspective! Former SSA ALJ Marilyn Hamilton will guide attendees through the basics of forming hypotheticals.
3:30-4:00pm
Networking Break
4:00-5:30pm
Sponsor Spotlight (Located in Exhibit Hall)
Cliff Berkley, Emcee
Meet and network with other attendees from your region while visting various NADR Sponsors. NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
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NADR Conference Agenda Wednesday, March 14, 2018 7:00-8:30am
Networking Breakfast (included in registration)
8:30-9:30am
Ethics (TBA)
9:30-11:30am
EDPNA CEU Courses
SSA will release the 2018 EDPNA CEU criteria in January and we will update the agenda at that time. Until then, Wednesday’s sessions are to be determined.
CONFERENCE SNEAK PEEK Are you struggling to grow your disability practice? Are you tired of seeing other disability firms spending big money on advertising to get lots of clients, when you know you would do a better job for the clients? Then this session is for you. In this session, NADR member Michael Liner will team up and form a panel with nationally known marketing and management experts (and St. Louis natives) Jim Hacking and Tyson Mutrux (who together host the internationally successful Maximum Lawyer Podcast, http://www. maximumlawyer.com/) to discuss ways you can do a better job nurturing and capturing leads, building your brand and maintaining strong relationships. This will be an explosive seminar because not only will there be a panel discussion, but part of the session will be spent assisting a randomly chosen audience member create a first steps marketing plan to take home with them. Even more exciting, Mr. Hacking and Mr. Mutrux will be using this seminar as a future episode of their popular podcast, and will be streaming the session for the whole world to see on Facebook Live. Don’t miss this one!
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NADR GIVES BACK During the upcoming NADR conference we will host a community service project where we will assemble and distribute 500 hygiene kits among the following local homeless shelters: St. Patrick Center: providing opportunities for selfsufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability. Covenant House: provides food, clothing, showers, medical attention and shelter to the more than 3,000 homeless youth in St. Louis. Many of the 16 – 21 year olds arrive at Covenant House in crisis and are provided with emergency services and a safe environment that promotes absolute respect and unconditional love. The Eagle’s Nest: has a mission to empower male homeless Veterans to achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency, economic independence, and rejoin the community as productive members of society. In November of 2009, The Eagle’s Nest opened their doors to The Joseph Center, a 26-bed, secure transitional housing facility in East St. Louis. It provides supportive housing to homeless Veterans and is the only center of its kind in Southern Illinois. Gateway 180: which is a United Way sponsored emergency shelter for homeless families. Upon arrival to the shelter families are provided with
fresh clothing, hygiene items, a shower, meal and an opportunity to regroup in a safe space. After the initial intake, families are assigned to a case manager who assists them with finding housing, work, transportation, daycare and education. The service project will be held on Sunday, March 11th from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. We encourage everyone to participate and help NADR give back to the St. Louis community. Perhaps you travel frequently and save your complimentary hotel grooming items or know someone who does. It is our hope to obtain 500 of each of the following items prior to March 11, 2018 when we will assemble the kits for pickup.
• Shampoo • Conditioner • Soap • Lotion • Facial Tissues • Disposable Razor • Shaving Cream • Hand Sanitizer/Wipes • Toothbrush • Toothpaste • Chap stick • Deodorant • Comb • Washcloth
If you need further information on how to donate goods or funds, please email admin@nadr.org. Thanks and see you in St. Louis!
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SHOUT-OUT FOR SERVICE PROJECT CHALLENGE NADR would like to give a shout out to Advantage 2K and Conference Committee Member Melissa Smith for challenging her employees to help collect items for our annual service project! See Melissa’s email to her staff below. We challenge you to challenge your teams as well. We have been accumulating travel size items in both offices to build 500 hygiene kits for 4 homeless shelters in the metro area. Thanks to all who have donated already!!! This is an amazing cause that provides instant relief for the more than 1,340 homeless individuals and families in the St. Louis metro area. We will continue to collect items leading up to the NADR conference in St. Louis on March 11, 2018 where we will gather for our service project and build the kits for pick-up on March 12th. The shelters we will be providing kits to are St. Patrick Center, a homeless in transition to work program; Covenant House, providing shelter for homeless youth; The Eagle’s Nest, sheltering and supporting homeless military veterans in the metro east and Gateway 180, a United Way sponsored emergency shelter for homeless families. The items these shelters have requested in the hygiene kits include washcloths, packs of hand wipes, soap,
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shampoo, conditioner, bath/shower wash, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, disposable razors, combs, packs of tissues, Chapsticks and deodorant. They are unable to accept any items with alcohol in them, including liquid hand sanitizer and mouthwash as some of the residents have a history of addiction. To date we have accumulated the following: 384 washcloths 36 body wash 121 shampoo 127 conditioner 129 soap 105 lotion 17 toothbrushes 19 toothpaste 10 shaving cream 4 packs of hand wipes 4 combs 7 packs of tissues 3 Chapsticks 4 disposable razors 10 deodorants Thanks again to all of you for contributing and keep up the great work!!!!
NETWORKING FOR RESULTS = GETTING MORE CLIENTS BY MADELINE XAVIER If you’re like most people who go to events thinking they’ll drum up a ton of new business, you may find networking to be time-consuming, expensive and outright frustrating, especially if you’re a new attorney or professional representative. Striking up a great conversation and getting someone’s contact information is only part of the battle. What takes place afterwards matters most in terms of retaining new business – and this is what makes paying $500 to go to a networking dinner or a $2,000 conference worthwhile. The following best practices will help you dramatically improve your results.
Step 1: Understand your target audience and venues Okay…some say that you can network at any event. But, going to random events and trying to find consumers who need an attorney in your practice area is way too difficult. Instead, find a way to connect with other professionals who can refer business to you. Attorneys specializing in elder care and estate planning might want to meet financial planners who can refer clients their way. If so, you could consider attending events put on by the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Bankruptcy attorneys might want to network at the American Academy of Matrimonial lawyers (AAML) events with family law attorneys whose clients often need help with bankruptcies after a divorce.
Step 2: Know who will be attending and target them Before going to the event, be sure to identify specific people you’d like to meet and research their LinkedIn or other bios online beforehand so you have something to talk about. If you’re not sure who is attending, send out invitations to people you want to meet and
invite them to connect with you at the event. If they are in that industry, chances are that they are going or will consider going to that local/regional event.
Step 3: Listen carefully and take notes As soon as possible after meeting someone, jot down a few notes to help you remember them. You can do this quickly using your phone’s notepad or on the back of their business card. Note something that ties you to that person – something both fun and business related. For example, maybe you had a great discussion with a family law attorney about how similar your dogs are and the fact that she needed a bankruptcy attorney (like you) for her clients.
Step 4: Follow-up within 24 hours Even before 24 hours – say the night after a conference – send the person you talked with a quick email. Remind her about your conversation and provide her with your contact information and suggest a time to connect.
Step 5: Connect on social media At the same time you send the email, also send an invite to connect on LinkedIn. It’s easy nowadays to do this, and it also provides that person with information about your practice.
Step 6: Nurture the relationship Keep the relationship going, even if you haven’t yet managed to connect by phone or in person. For the most part, this is easiest to do via email. In the “3 Simple Email Nurturing Tips for Retaining Clients” article, we explain just what to do. Continued on page 13 NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
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NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
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NETWORKING FOR RESULTS Continued Other Ways to Generate New Clients While networking and referrals are always going to be important ways of gaining new clients, read on about some other ways to consider.
About Madeleine Xavier – Director, Trade Marketing, Martindale-Nolo Madeleine guides all communications and promotions for Martindale-Nolo’s attorney online marketing program. She is also the voice of the customer and works with sales to help attorneys grow their practice and learn more about marketing. She has over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing and lead generation, and has worked for leading start-ups and corporations, such as ADP and Yellowpages.com.
About the Martindale-Nolo Legal Marketing Network As the largest online network of legal websites, we attract 15M visitors and generate 100,000 monthly requests from consumers in need of an attorney. We’ve helped thousands of small law firms and advocates benefit from this exposure and a comprehensive suite of online marketing solutions - all geared towards helping attorneys build a professional online presence, generate highly-targeted leads and double sales conversion. Have questions? Contact us at 877-317-9160 or adservices@martindalenolo.com if you want to learn more about the webinar, online marketing or lead generation.
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VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT STEVE SKINNER What did you do before you became a representative? I was in the Air Force for 20 years and retired in 2000. I started work for SSA as a TXVI Claims Representative soon after my retirement. In January 2004 I quit my job as a CR and started Skinner and Associates. How long have you been representing clients? Since January 2004. What do you enjoy most about this profession? I enjoy the freedom of being able to choose who I represent. I also enjoy the freedom of selfemployment. How long have you been involved in NADR and how has it impacted your professional goals? I joined NADR and another national organization as soon as I left SSA employment, so I think I joined in 2004 or 2005. However, it was NADR’s people that got my attention and appreciation from the
first meeting I went to, which was in Texas. NADR has been a part of my everyday activities since I joined. I use the talklist, TRS, networking events, and conferences as a tool and an investment. I’m not sure where I would be without NADR, but I know that I gain something from every encounter with this awesome group of people. What legislative issue or membership benefit would you like to see NADR focus on/offer in the next few years? • Restore education requirements • Recognizing organizations as an entity and simplify and clarify the issues with multiple reps on a single record. • Online access to initial claims and reconsiderations • Representative recognition as a value to SSA • Fund SSA’s manpower and computer systems to resolve the backlog. • A professional representative contact portal for specific issues.
Automatic Download and PDF Conversion of Disability Files.
Atlasware, LLC 1616 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212 210.923-1234 210.822-4595 www.atlasware.com support@atlasware.com
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NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
NOT AN ATLASWARE USER? YOU’RE MISSING OUT! JUST ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT US
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT HEATHER CLARK LONERO, M.ED., EDPNA, ADR What is your vocational background prior to representation?
How did you get involved in representation?
Hello, my name is Heather LoNero, and I reside in the State of Connecticut. I am the founder and lead advocate for the Disability Defenders Group, LLC. Prior to opening my own business, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida and earned a Masters in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts. I recently left state service to pursue this avenue in the profession after nearly 20 years, with 16 of those years working at the Connecticut Disability Determination Office. For 10 of those years, I was a Senior Disability Adjudicator and BackUp Supervisor. I completed case development, management and adjudicative tasks. However, vocational explanations are my forte and I find it the most important and interesting aspect of the profession we perform. Daily, I was asked to interpret, on a case by case basis, vocational profiles, and compare them to the functional limitations the client’s impairments imposed on them.
Throughout the years of adjudicating cases through my state service, I became more and more interested in representing clients independently. I started to research the path to be able to pursue this dream. I spent a year, “thinking about it” and a year studying and planning to sit for the exam in Baltimore, Maryland. In July, I was notified that I had passed the EDPNA examination, and at that time, I decided to make a big professional and personal change and go out on my own. I am very excited to start this new journey and feel that with the enormous back log of cases, representation for clients is crucial to a favorable outcome.
How long have you been a representative?
I have only just begun.
What made you decide to become an NADR member? I had been reading the NADR site for almost 2 years and it was very informative. At the time, I decided I wanted to take the exam, I knew I would need the Association’s support and guidance and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I feel really blessed that NADR is available. Without the EDPNA study sessions and the support of the other members I do not feel I would have passed the examination. Additionally, NADR members have welcomed me with open arms into their community. Thank You, All!
NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017 NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
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CONFERENCE DECONSTRUCTED VA DISABILITY RATINGS LED BY TIMOTHY M. KLOB, ATTORNEY
VA DISABILITY RATINGS KLOB & LARRISON ATTORNEYS 145 Lee Byrd Road Loganville, GA 30052 770-554-8100 www.kloblawfirm.com
“Serving Our Fellow Veterans”
Why VA Ratings Matter …
• Veteran’s earned benefits are
based on their disability ratings
• Understanding the VA Rating
System is key to evaluating and screening new cases
• Some disability ratings cannot
be increased on appeal if already at maximum
• Some ratings can be reevaluated or decreased by the VA
• You cannot fully advise a veteran without knowledge of the Rating System
• Avoid wasting your time and the veteran’s time if rating at maximum
• Knowing Rating System helps
you advise veteran medical evidence needed to meet rating criteria successfully increase benefits
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NADR NEWS | FOURTH QUARTER 2017
VA Disability Basic Concepts
• Veterans are entitled to medical
care and compensation for disability related to injuries, illness or wounds sustained while in military service
• Injury, illness or wounds must be
deemed to be “service-connected” for veteran to receive compensation
• Veteran’s disability benefits are
monthly compensation payments related to a percentage of disability computed for their combination of impairments
• Veterans are permitted to
continue to work despite having a disability rating. VA disability differs from Social Security in that VA disability does not require total disability to be payable
• Veteran’s disability payments
are based on ratings which are in increments of 10% based on calculation of cumulative impairments and conditions deemed “service-connected”
• A zero percent rating for a
service-connected condition yields no compensation, but entitles the veteran to VA medical treatment for that condition
VA Disability Ratings
• VA Rating Schedule: Guide to the evaluation of disability
• Ratings equate to average
impairment in earning capacity
• When reasonable doubt exists,
resolve in favor of the claimant
• Highest evaluation will be applied if it most closely approximates rating criteria
Representation Issues
by the veteran in their claim, and must also consider the veteran for all other benefits supported by the evidentiary record
• VA must consider issues raised
• VA has a duty to sympathetically review a veteran’s claim
• VA must only consider disabilities claimed or supported by evidence
NADR LEGISLATIVE BLITZ Have you introduced yourself to your elected officials yet? NADR has made it super easy. Simply follow the instructions below: 1. Click HERE 2. Customize the 2nd paragraph of the message in the text box with information about your practice. 3. Click “Send Email”
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ADR SPOTLIGHT MICHELE MAROIS Tell us about your representative business (size, client load, areas of focus, etc…)?
How has the ADR designation benefited you? How has it impacted your professional growth?
I have been in this field since 1992. My husband and I formed our company in 1993. We are based out of St. Petersburg, Florida and in general keep our case load to cases in the Tampa Bay area and central Florida. Although we have been known to take a case where our adult kids live for visiting purposes!
I believe it is some of the best money I spend in terms of supporting the lobbying efforts of NADR. As an individual my voice is not loud, as a group we have resonance. My career and business exist today in large part because of the efforts of NADR’s lobbying arm.
How long have you been an ADR?
In what ways do you display/use your ADR designation?
I have been an ADR since the credential was created. Why did you choose to pursue an Accredited Disability Representative designation? I believe it furthered NADR’s goals of creating a recognized profession out of disability representation for non-attorney’s. Additionally, I think the focus on lobbying is a critical way to forward the profession.
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On my business cards, website, brochures and information folders that I give clients. Pretty much anything in print that I order gets the logo on it! Tell us about one positive aspect of being an ADR that you would stress for members considering the designation? If this is your chosen career or life path, there is nothing more important than being at the forefront of it educationally, ethically and because our jobs involve legislation, legislatively. To not pursue this credential is to not be fully engaged in your career.
a Sirman 2-822-2155 a@nadr.org
lie Phelps 2-822-2155 min@nadr.org
ADR
Box 96503 ashington, DC 20090-6503 one: (202) 822-2155 x (972) 245-6701 eb Site: www.nadr.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2017 - 2018
President Philip Litteral, ADR Ashland, KY
Vice President C. Greg Cates, EdD., ADR Memphis, TN
Secretary Barbara Manna, ADR Pittsburgh, PA
Treasurer Michael Wener, ADR Memphis, TN
Director At Large Clifford Berkley, ADR Fullerton, CA
Director At Large Marilyn Hamilton, Esq. Atlanta, GA
Director At Large Christopher Mazzulli, ADR Baltimore, MD
Director At Large Mary Perry, ADR Rochester, NY
Director At Large Randy Persad, ADR Portland, TX
NADR News is published by NADR and is the property of the National Association of Disability Representatives. Copyright 2016, NADR. The articles appearing in the NADR News do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NADR. The accuracy and content of each article is the responsibility of the individual writer.
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