Trisha Kissel, Brookside Veteran Services Representative

05/26/2026

Today, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Memorial Day is not about sales, slogans, or attention. It is a day of remembrance.

To the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice every day, we are grateful. To those who never came home, we honor you. Your courage, service, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

May we live in a way that respects the freedoms others gave everything to protect.

05/02/2026

🇺🇸💙🇺🇸

Veterans fought for us. Now I’ll fight for them.

As a veteran, I know the sacrifice. I’ll stand up for veterans, Gold Star families, better care, real support, and the respect they’ve earned.

🇺🇸 Honor. Sacrifice. Action.
🗳️ Vote Scott Berger for State Representative – District 64

04/29/2026

04/21/2026

Did You Know?

Many veterans wait years to file for VA disability benefits because the process feels confusing or overwhelming.

But waiting could mean missing out on thousands of dollars in tax-free compensation you’ve already earned.

The key is filing a clear, well-documented claim from the start.

If you served, you deserve to understand your options.

04/21/2026

Did You Know?

A 10% VA disability rating still has real value.

Some Veterans hear “10%” and think it is not worth filing. That is false.

A 10% rating can mean:
-Monthly tax-free compensation
-Proof that the VA officially recognized your condition as service-connected
-A starting point for a future increase if the condition worsens
-A foundation for building additional claims later

For many Veterans, 10% is not the end of the road. It is the first step.

If your injuries, pain, tinnitus, mental health condition, or other service-connected issues are affecting your daily life, do not assume a lower rating means it is not worth pursuing.
-You earned the right to file.
-You earned the right to be heard.
-And even 10% matters.

Brookside Veteran Services

I help educate Veterans through the VA disability claims process so they can better understand the benefits they may have earned through service.

04/11/2026

Happy Friday!

To all who have served, and to those still serving today, thank you. Because of your sacrifice, courage, and commitment, we enjoy freedoms that many take for granted.

We can never fully repay the price you have paid, but we will never stop honoring it. Your service means something. Your dedication matters. And today, we simply want to say how deeply grateful we are for each of you.

We see you. We honor you. And we thank you.

03/17/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

A 70% VA disability rating can mean a major shift in your monthly, tax-free income—and for many veterans, it also opens the door to additional benefits (including possible family/dependent impacts and other programs that may reduce out-of-pocket costs).

If you’re sitting at 50% or 60% and believe your symptoms are under-rated, 70% is often one of the most meaningful jumps on the scale.

Take one simple step today:
-File an Intent to File to lock in your potential effective date—then build your strategy.

If you want an expert set of eyes on your situation, Brookside can help you map the cleanest path forward.

www.HelpVetUSA.com

02/26/2026

🇺🇸 Did You Know?

Even a 10% VA disability rating can open the door to tax-free monthly income, VA healthcare eligibility, and additional state benefits. That first step could lead to more support over time—your rating can increase as your conditions progress or new evidence is added.

📈 Don’t leave benefits you’ve earned on the table. Start your claim today—your service deserves recognition, and your future deserves security.
www.HelpVetUSA.com to learn more.

02/20/2026

🚨 Action Needed: VA Just Changed How Disability Ratings Are Evaluated — Effective Immediately (Feb. 17, 2026)

On February 17, 2026, the VA published an Interim Final Rule called “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication.” It’s effective immediately, and it changes a deceptively simple (but massive) part of VA disability exams: the VA will now evaluate many conditions based on how you function with medication/treatment—rather than how the condition impacts you without it.

Why this matters:
If medication or treatment reduces symptoms, the VA can rate you at a lower level of impairment—and that can mean lower compensation for both new claims and re-evaluations.
The VA’s own language says it will compensate based on the disability level after medication or treatment improves functional impairment.

⚠️Public Comment Window is OPEN: Feb. 17 through Apr. 20, 2026

This is an interim final rule, which means public comments must be accepted and reviewed—and those comments become part of the official record.

✅ What to do today (takes 10 minutes)
1) Contact your U.S. Representative + Senators
Tell them clearly where you stand and what you want them to do (oversight, hearings, pressure VA to withdraw/modify, and ensure proper review).
2) Submit a public comment (this is huge)

🟢Go to Regulations.gov and search: RIN 2900-AS49 (VA: “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication”).
✅Submit your comment before April 20, 2026.

02/11/2026

🇺🇸 Did You Know?

VA disability compensation is 100% tax-free — meaning more money in your pocket every month.

Unlike other income, your VA disability benefits are not subject to federal or state taxes, maximizing your financial stability and honoring your service.

At Brookside Veteran Services, we guide you through the VA claims process so you can access the benefits you've earned — tax-free and life-changing.

Ready to get started?

Connect with an Independent Educator today: www.helpvetusa.com/contact

Brookside — We've Got Your Six.