In early 2025, the 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (“Elizabeth Dole Act”) went into effect. The Act brings significant changes to how veterans can access care outside the VA system. Among the most important updates is the removal of the requirement for a second review of a clinician’s decision to refer a veteran to community care (care outside the VA). In other words, the Act makes it, so veteran patients don’t have to wait for another doctor or

When priorities change for our clients, it matters to us too. Here at Rawls Law Group, we handle FTCA claims against the VA from start to finish on a constant and regular basis, and we have been doing so for decades. Naturally, we know better than anyone that navigating FTCA claims is usually not a quick process. In our experience, claims can often take a year or more depending on how (un)responsive the agency is. However, not everyone has time to waste. We filed a recurrent

While participating in an inpatient treatment program at a VA Medical Center, our veteran client suffered a stroke. After falling in his room and reporting weakness and difficulty walking, he was transported to the emergency department where imaging studies were performed. Unfortunately, despite clear neurological symptoms and abnormal imaging, the veteran’s VA providers misread the initial MRI and delayed the diagnosis of his stroke. The following day, the veteran fell again