S. M. Sullivan Law Office PLLC

10/07/2025

The symptoms affect up to a third of the 700,000 troops deployed during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm more than 30 years ago.

04/25/2024

A prominent Democratic senator is demanding the Department of Veterans Affairs review the quality of its privatized disability benefits exams after receiving what she described as "disturbing reports of inadequate and unprofessional treatment" of veterans.

04/25/2023

https://www.ssullivanlaw.com/post/the-effect-of-secure-act-2-0-on-estate-planning

Recent changes under SECURE Act 2.0 may have effects on your estate plan, particularly with regard to your IRAs.

Discussion of some estate planning aspects of SECURE Act 2.0

03/24/2023

https://www.ssullivanlaw.com/post/va-disability-pay-offset

Congress is considering the Major Richard Star Act to address the deduction of disability pay from retired military pay for many veterans. In the attached blog, I've summarized the issue and ask that you consider letting your representatives know how you feel about the offset.

Congressman Thomas Massie Congressman Andy Barr Rand Paul Mitch McConnell DAV American Legion Post 24 - Georgetown, KY Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Discussion of VA disability payments and retirement offset.

12/06/2022

A short summary of the four published cases this year dealing with the interpretation `Kentucky Trust and Estate laws.

://www.ssullivanlaw.com/post/kentucky-trust-and-estate-cases-2022

Barring another opinion released by the Kentucky Supreme Court or the Courts of Appeal over the next three weeks, this year, the courts issued four published decisions interpreting statutes associated with trust, estate, or probate matters were published. The four ranged from examining the interplay...

11/11/2022

https://www.ssullivanlaw.com/post/today-we-thank-those-who-served

To all my fellow vets, thank you for your service on this Veterans Day.

Veterans Day Blog Post

11/01/2022

https://www.ssullivanlaw.com/post/retroactive-veterans-benefits

In Arellano v. McDonough, the United States Supreme Court will address whether a veteran may seek disability benefits retroactively, even if they failed to meet the statutory filing deadline.

Not often do veterans’ benefits cases reach the United States Supreme Court, but last month the Court heard the case of Arellano v. McDonough. The case addresses the ability of a veteran to seek retroactive benefits. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5110, when a veteran files for disability benefits within a ye...

07/22/2022

I have recently had some questions regarding the Camp Lejeune water litigation. There are a number of large personal injury firms trying help veterans and their families regarding civil damages. But there are also specific VA programs available to help these same victims. My blog outlines these VA programs.

Brief Description of VA Benefits associated with Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

07/13/2022

My long delayed final post in this series. The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit and Housebound Benefit are two benefits that can make a great difference in quality of life for eligible veterans.

VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

06/01/2022

This may be a great benefit for Veterans having difficulty finding affordable life insurance. But remember two things:

First, just because it is underwritten by the VA, don't assume its the least expensive option. You should always shop around to other quality companies.

Second, anytime you are altering/changing coverage make certain your new coverage is in place BEFORE canceling your old insurance policy. Murphy's Law says if you have a gap in coverage, that is when your need is going to arise.

VALife will be open to all veterans 80 years old or younger who have a disability rating of 0 to 100, and some vets over 80 may also qualify.

05/24/2022

Part 2 of a simple review VA's non-disability pension, today is a review of the Surviving Spouse pension.

VA Surviving Spouse Pension - Summary of eligibility criteria and filing requirements

04/28/2022

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is widely known for overseeing the nation's programs for wounded veterans. But, there are a number of lesser known support programs for veterans and their spouses whether the veteran was wounded while on active duty or not.

As the department’s name states, the Veterans’ Administration is responsible for administering services for Veterans. That mission carries back to President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” The VA’s two most visible p...