The VA Claim Hiding in Your SSDI File – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)
Fritzie E. Vammen is a VA-accredited attorney and principal of Fritzie E. Vammen, Attorney at Law, P.A., in Conway, Arkansas, where she concentrates on veterans’ disability law — including TDIU, earlier-effective-date appeals, and litigation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
1 hour CLE
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Program Summary
Your SSDI File May Be Worth Two Claims
Many Social Security practitioners represent veterans who are eligible for — but not receiving — VA disability benefits they have earned. The claim is sitting in the file you already have; the skill is recognizing it. This session shows how to spot when an SSDI or SSI client has a viable VA claim.
The value concentrates in two places. Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) turns the unemployability showing you're already building into a VA award. Earlier-effective-date arguments can produce substantial retroactive awards. And the evidentiary overlap between SSDI and VA unemployability means the proof does double duty — including through secondary service connection and the VA appeals lanes.
You leave equipped to act: a practical case-screening checklist in hand, and a clear picture of how to refer or co-counsel a VA matter consistent with ethical and accreditation rules.
Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour
This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.
Recorded Friday, October 16, 2026.
Key topics to be discussed:
- Spotting the Hidden Claim
Recognizing when an SSDI or SSI client is a veteran with a viable VA claim. - TDIU
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability — the centerpiece claim for unemployable veterans. - Earlier Effective Dates
The arguments that can produce substantial retroactive awards. - The Evidentiary Overlap
How SSDI and VA unemployability proof does double duty, including secondary service connection. - The VA Appeals Lanes
Navigating the VA's appeal pathways for the client's claim. - Refer or Co-Counsel
Handling the VA matter consistent with ethical and accreditation rules — with a practical case-screening checklist to leave with.
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: October 16, 2026
- 11:45 am – 12:45 pm Eastern
- 10:45 am – 11:45 am Central
- 9:45 am – 10:45 am Mountain
- 8:45 am – 9:45 am Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Fritzie E. Vammen, Principal | Fritzie E. Vammen, Attorney at Law, P.A.
Fritzie E. Vammen is a VA-accredited attorney and principal of Fritzie E. Vammen, Attorney at Law, P.A., in Conway, Arkansas, where she concentrates on veterans’ disability law — including TDIU, earlier-effective-date appeals, and litigation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
- Education & Credentials
She earned her J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Arkansas (1978), and was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1982.
- Professional Involvement
A longtime NOSSCR member, she has previously presented on veterans law at a NOSSCR national conference.
- Experience
She works regularly at the intersection of Social Security and VA disability, helping disabled claimants secure the full range of benefits available to them.
Agenda
SESSION 1 – The VA Claim Hiding in Your SSDI File | 11:45am – 12:45pm
Many Social Security practitioners represent veterans who are eligible for — but not receiving — VA disability benefits they have earned. This session shows how to recognize when an SSDI or SSI client has a viable VA claim, focusing on Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and earliereffective-date arguments that can produce substantial retroactive awards. We will cover the evidentiary overlap between SSDI and VA unemployability, secondary service connection, the VA appeals lanes, and how to refer or co-counsel a VA matter consistent with ethical and accreditation rules. Attendees leave with a practical case-screening checklist.
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