The Hidden Obstacles to Obtaining 100% VA Disability Benefits 

I reached out to y’all last yr to review my claim. Y’all didn’t take the case and pushed me off to a law firm in florida. I decided to file on my own. I was already 10% for plantar fasciitis but filed in June of 2021 for PTSD. HAD MY C&P exam in late July. Received 70% for PTSD ON AUG 6 plus 10 for painful surgical scar and the 10 I already had. For a total of 80. I appealed the PTSD in September and filed the paperwork in nov. Did the C&P on Dec. Awarded 100% in April of this yr. Also, I filed for social security in December of last yr. I was approved 2 days ago on July 6th. My wife helped with all the paperwork. Both times I dropped off the paperwork at the regional VA headquarters in Houston. Not knocking these lawyers, they’re good , know what they’re talking about. However , I’m proof you can do it on your own with help from family or friends. You’re your best advocate. Took me a little over a yr to go from 10% (2017) to 100 and social security. I had these issues for over 30 yrs. Starting around 89/1990. You can do it. Good luck.

They played games with me when I was 80%, until I got good advice from another veteran, Told me goto a Civilian doctor and do a Fit for employment physical and bring all your medical documents. If his rating states you can not work .. Take those documents to your Next C&P exam for Unemployability... within 9 months I was granted 100 T&P for Unemployability... Because VA Doctors will never dispute a Civilian doctor ... That another doctor has proven you have

Hear ye! Hear ye! Please read...while there was great information, there are things in the weeds that they may not be able to explain due to the profession of their business, and it may be an ethical or moral issue, but I will say it for them, and help clear up some holes and gaps left in the video. These won't be all inclusive, nor just limited to some of these things that I will help explain, because everyone's case and conditions and injuries are different. I am now 36 and served 12.5 years in the Air Force, and I am 100% P & T. Now I am going go to school (still using my GI Bill) to get my masters degree, and to get a job soon, preferably as a GS, so I can buy back my military time and retire that much quicker! One of the great things I was told by a SMSgt when I was a Military Training Leader (prior to PCSing back to my last duty station), was to make sure that I have my medical records up to date, and to get seen by the doctor (MTF or any clinic or hospital) while you're still on active duty. Boy, I am so glad that I listened. Long story short, I was able to read and learn this information on my own, and read Hill & Ponton, Combat Craig, VA Claims Insider, Dewayne Kimble and also a few other important RU-vid websites and others. The information is out there, and achieving your highest rating has to be important to you, more than anyone else. There will be days it will suck to gather information and gather medical evidence, but if you don't, your effort will be shown in the end, period. Next, the VA DOES NOT care how much you scream, write letters on much they suck, or how they don't really care about veterans, when it comes to your claims. What they do care about, is do you have the condition, is it service connected from your military service, do you have a nexus (medical evidence tying your service connected injury to your present condition), what are the severity of symptoms (there are multiple levels), and how does it impact your lifestyle now, and are these things supported through medical evidence, PERIOD! There will be vast differences between recently separated or retired military versus veterans that have been out of service for at least 2 years or more. The longer you have been out of service, it becomes increasingly more difficult to prove your service-connections. It may be due to not being able to provide the medical nexus, you no longer have the condition, you can't prove that the condition was incurred or aggravated and made worse during your military service, and other factors. For those that are planning to separate/retire soon, and those that are within a year of retirement or separation, it is far more feasible to obtain at least 50% or higher for a VA rating, because this is due to the fact that the VA finds that any condition that you are able to show (that is prove medically from military and civilian records), the medical nexus is automatically granted through what they call presumptive conditions. You generally have up until the 1 year mark AFTER your service ends, which is your window to file a claim from your separation/retirement to have that 'leg up' for your claims without so much hassle. Also, if you're close to that mark, and you have filed yet, you can also file a letter of intent (forgot the form, but it's on VA.gov) to show that you intend to make and file a claim. Then you will have a year from the date you file your letter of intent to file your claims for your service connected conditions. This gives you a year, just by filing the intent. So in theory, you can possibly have up to 2 years post separation/retirement to file any complete claims barring any mitigating circumstances. So for example, I separated 11 Jun 20. I have until 10 Jun 21 to file any claims to the VA for VA disability and/or compensation. If I forgot and waited until the day before the last day of the year mark, 10 Jun 21, I can file a letter of intent, and then I would normally have until 10 Jun 22 to make sure that I have what I need to make a claim. Again, the window of the intent varies. You could only be separated/retired for 6 months, and still file a letter of intent, and that would increase your time of year, following when you file your letter of intent. I filed for 30 conditions and had 28 service connected, and that was because they combined a few of them and also separated some. So I think I did ok. Also if the VA finds and sees that if reducing a rating won't change the outcome of your overall rating, they will more than likely give you P&T status without asking, if you are already at 100%. So no more exams for me, nor will I file another claim. That would be stupid on my part, because that is the ONLY way they can take away 100% P&T status, is if they find or reasonably believe that you no longer have one or more of those conditions...or through fraud. So I don't have to worry about fraud, because I had everything supported medically and through MRIs, etc.. I knew this going in, so that is why I submitted that many. I filed in Nov 2020, and got my 100% P&T status in Feb 2021, and it was backed to my day of separation of 11 Jun 2020.Yes, it only took 3 months! I was very organized, read and learned what to do, and how to do it, and read about the common pitfalls, and what the VA looks for, when it came to my situations and conditions. Now, if you are very organized and you are very good at filing things and keeping paperwork. Also, if you are able to locate your military records, medical records (military and civilian), I highly encourage you to buy a scanner (preferably wireless with Wi-fi), and then you can actually do it all by yourself. Because you can go at your own pace, read and learn from the RU-vid channels and read other pertinent information online, and use what tactics work best for you. If you're good with Adobe Acrobat, you can definitely help yourself AND the VA by becoming even more organized, scanning and separating your conditions yourself with your medical records on your computer. This makes it easier for them to find, when you submit your evidence and claims. When people send their whole military medical records and civilian records, they make it hard for the VA, and the Claims examiner and rating specialists are human too! Sometimes they get complacent, and over look things. But if you give it to them on a silver platter, for each condition (I even highlighted where it literally had the conditions, etc.) then it makes their jobs that much easier, and everyone loves when their jobs becomes easier. For everyone else, yeah ummm find a representative, because you will probably jack something up. I literally had one of the doctors from my first C&P exam tell me that I should be a claims examiner lol. I thought about it, but then the VA would lose money, because I would try to get everyone 100% from the jump! lol. That was because I had all of my military medical records, along with my civilian medical records (with MRIs and other medical evidence, and in order), and I was able to supplement her findings. Even if she had tried to do the opposite, I was already prepared, and my medical evidence would've trumped any negative findings. That leads me to C&P exams. PLEASE PLEASE and more PLEASE talk about your flare ups, along with your current conditions, when it comes to your C&P exams, and how it affects your daily living, and impacts your life, especially if you have family. Some of those things meet the criteria of certain rating and level of severity. Don't downplay your symptoms, no matter what. Some people make the mistake of feeling good one day on a visit to the doctor (or more importantly, a C&P exam), and when they doctor asks how you are feeling, and you say I'm fine...IT IS RECORDED. So good luck trying to explain later, what you meant to say, and how you were really hurting. If life sucks, say it sucks and go into detail. Don't exaggerate or make up things, but only YOU know how your life impacts you daily and being able to describe in detail will also help the examiner and/or your doctor. Your civilian doctors can also record the impact your conditions and symptoms have as well. There is so much more I can talk about and discuss to help simplify and make things easier, but I hope some of this helps some of you. It won't be easy...the VA made sure of that!! But remember the longer you wait, that's more money you leave on the table in the VA office, that could've been yours, tax-free!!!

Thank you, this is the only video I’ve seen that I actually understand the VA calculations now❣️

Awesome video this was extremely informative in explaining 100% VS. 100% P&T and demysterfying the fuzzy math that the VA uses to dertermine your percentages! Keep up the good work ladies!!!

I appreciate the work you do at Hill and Ponton

VA math can be confusing, but keep in mind that the highest percentage is what is started with first. So to say that 20% would be your start and adding a 50% would be half of the remaining 80% is not exactly accurate. The highest rating is placed in the equation first, so in the example it would be 50% and then 20% of the remaining 50%. Although both ways comes out to 60%, that changes as each condition is added to the equation. So if you are rated 20%, 20%, 20%, 10% and 50% and did the math in the sequential order suggested in the example, that would come out to 86.96%. In VA math they always start with the largest rating and work down. So by changing the order to 50%, 20%, 20%, 20% and 10% the math now translates to 76.96%. So as you can see, the order in which you calculate the equation gives a different answer. This is why getting to 100% becomes so impossible with combined ratings. So in my example the lowest rating of 10% is only valued at 2.56% against your claim. If another 10% is added that value is reduced further to 2.30% based on the remaining healthy number. It can be confusing, but I wanted to paint a more accurate picture of the computation for those with a significant number of ratings like myself. I hope this helps and thank you for sharing this very informative information to help fellow veterans navigate this difficult system.

The easiest way to make that point of the difficulty of getting to 100%.... If you are at 90%, then you still need another 50% rating or multiple ratings equivalent thereof. You would have 90% disability and are 10% healthy. The 50% would be subtracted from the 10% healthy part of you, leaving you with an additional 5 % so now you are at 95% disabled. Then they round up to 100%... Very difficult the father up the ladder you go.

After so many years is starting to some how make sense, just start watching many videos on here and you will start to get it

This law firm did almost the same thing to me.I sent in all my information, For my PTSD , and what they did . They just sent me all my information back. Without even helping me to get my PTSD claim. To this day I still don’t understand what kind of law firm they are. I know one thing I don’t trust them anymore. Because of what they did to me.

I always enjoy the knowledge that you share to the veteran community. I was veterans would take obtaining their Pension and Compensation as a high priority.

Absolutely truly truly appreciate this video so insightful open my eyes to so much!!!

Thank you for the great content.

While I am grateful thus info is provided, I'd love to see a friend like this help veterans without being paid a percentage of what the veteran may receive if they are successful. Yes I know nothing in life is free, just saying, but thank you any way for the info.

Rachel is always on point!

The reason it is so important to fight for 100% is because you can't live off of 90% rates, yet it is extremely difficult to work

Great information and Rachel has the best smile I’ve ever seen😉

How you doing ladies? Thank you for this very informative video, I live in California and I'm moving to Texas next year. I'm 100% thank God I ,was wondering what kind of benefits are granted to veterans who are 100? living in Texas also I like to get involved helping out veterans by becoming a VSO how can I go about it in the state of Texas ?

Very well explained.

Rachel. My VA doctor also noted during my physical that the Shoulder surgery was a bad or bached operation.

🤠🤠

Please do video on some rules which may apply when the senior reviewer calls about a HLR appeal (i.e Duty to assist vet to maximize benefits).

I receive TDIU P&T my rating is 92%. I understand that they’re giving people TDIU because we can’t keep a job or get a job, but the truth is even as someone who doesn’t have kids I do have 2 dogs and a fiancé. The money we get is BARELY ENOUGH nowadays with the insane inflation and increased costs of LITERALLY EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO FUEL AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!! I may try to increase my rating so that I can get 100% AND go find a part time job to help offset some of these increased costs

I SERVED 21 YEARS IN U.S. Marines Field Artillery as a cannoneer, I was deployed overseas Shot machine guns, threw Hand grenades, and fought in Martial arts training I experienced many things that were life-threatening including Howitzers blowing Up on the D.M.Z. FACT!!!!! I have PTSD AND ANXIETY FROM SOME SERIOUS STUFF THAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY! My hearing is jacked!!!! i have a Horrible right Knee {Osteoarthritis} bad back from lifting Howitzers (Bulging disc} Migraines like crazy { it tears me up like 2 times a month I gotta take the day off and go to sleep or rest. man oh man I'm going through it. I'm 60% service-connected but man oh man I have so so many issues and health problems from those years in the Marines. but meantime I encourage all U.S. veterans to not ever give up SSgt. Calhoun USMC OUT!

My husband have PTSD and Dementia and we are waiting to get 100%; I’m his caregiver and he can work or drive.

The VBA will fight you 100% of the time for any and everything! You could have a missing limb and they'll still fight you on it!!

Great content

So I injured my back in several places, had my head split open, multiple stitches, have some ptsd, anxiety, neck injuries, knee pain, foot pain hand pain, still at 40 % but I do have an attorney. Yet I filed my claim in 1983 still is in process of VBA board, meanwhile I've divorced (couldn't support my wife) sold family heirlooms, gone into card debt, does the VA care ? He'll no they DON'T

This is a little off topic, but one thing I never really understood is the government trusted us (military guys) with all this multi-million dollar equipment, gear, etc. and now when we get out and go to do a disability claim, we have to prove every ounce and soul in us to them. Meanwhile we have so many veterans that are struggling hard to just live with ourselves and what we’ve been endured through, then we wonder why veterans commit suicide so much. If it wasn’t for the money, the VA couldn’t care less for us.

Is it better to appeal if you got 0 percent service connection or ask for a raise in percentage

Time stamps, would be great, 5 star video

No I missed it. Dang it. Arg. So many questions

I was found 100 percent back I n the 70s in la but I am a first responder who was disabled do to research study

Claim small 10% first then hit them with bigger claims

PROTIP: If your already 100% and you still have pending claims, you can cancel those claims if you want just to be safe.

I just filed for an increase and the fellow I spoke with at the VA had 100% and he was working for the VA.

I got my 100% P&T approved 2 years ago and same time my 90% got approved tdiu. For some reason it shows my 100 scheduler as tdiu. Why isn't the tdiu become moot? Just really strange. Anybody heard or had similar situation?

Contracted chemical pneumonia while in basic after all there years I now have emphysema can that be caused by pneumonia

What action can I take if I keep getting denied but the only records the VA have is what I supplied them. All they sent me when I requested my records was from my first exams going and my discharge exames

What happens if I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease after my military service. My symptoms are related to my service connect disabilities?

Hi I got bad knees the right one bone to bone and my back has hurt me for many years already I use to carry the mort and the base plate and move the 30 pound rounds for the 4.2 duc mort gun we fire the gun all day and all noght for training

I love to have you ladies as my attorney., because the attorney I have now really suck

What if you want to apply for a higher service connected disability (50 years later) that originally was MISDIAGNOSED by the VA and the symptoms have gotten worse????

higher level review notified me of a error or duty to assist at lower level. a expedited new C&P exam is scheduled in three days. Is the fact that Social Security just two weeks ago approved 100% disability for the same Asthma/COPD overlap that is my disease the VA will be deciding?

I’m slowly starting to understand the VA rating math please don’t ask me how but is finally clicking

You can work while tdiu but you can’t make over a certain amount

I was granted 100% ten years ago, I worked toward that for years, a month or two later, during Obama, without a hearing, I was dropped back to 90%. I was greatly affected by agent orange, hip replacements, 3 shoulder surgery’s, neck surgeryprostate surgery, radiation treatments, complete hearing loss, without hearing aids I hear nothing, skin conditions, cataract surgery. No reason I shouldn’t be 100% but they won’t, I’m 80 and slipping away.

You can make up to $13,590.00 a year while being TDIU. That number is the poverty threshold which you can go up to but don’t exceed it or you will be in trouble.

So you do the work to get the veteran a higher disability rate? BC I been fighting the va for about 4 years.

I have prostate cancer. I was diagnosed in 2015 by the VA w this condition..I served in Afghanistan and was just service connected in Jan 2023. Should I expect the 100% rating to be retroactive to 2015?

I am on terminal leave, i have a civilian doctors appointment before my terminal leave ends. It is going to be for sleep apnea, but should I bring up EVERYTHING that I didn't get seen for in the military? I didnt get seen for mental health and some other stuff because of fear of losing career. 1. Again, should I bring up everything in that appointment? 2. Will these be service connected automatically since I am getting seen for them while "I'm in" but just on terminal? 3. Since it's BDD, will the benefits start the day after my contract ends? Thank you!

I am a Vet and I have a letter from a VA Dr. Dating back to June 1978 that I should remain on disability, but never been paid for disability and VA refuses to acknowledge the letter and I always denied.

Just got 70% and filed for tdiu have a c&p exam soon

But I have never myself received the benefits on my own mother got them I moved in with gather at fifteen so I need to know what I need to do

I am 70% and TDIU, paid 100% the VA rules say you can earn up to around $1000 on the side, I have not worked since my rating in 2004. I am wanting to do some home based work and dont want to cheat, meaning I want to report it as self employment. I have had a tremendous amount of medical problems since ratings, multiple spine and hip surgeries all connected to service. Should I reopen and try to get to a true schedular 100% or just leave it alone? I would like to earn more to build up my social security. I am a combat vet of Afghanistan.

My husband got hearing loss, tinnitus and neck surgery when he was active duty years ago and he never apply for disability. Is he qualify to apply for disability

I guess I don't fully understand how hard it is to get 100%. I got 100% after my first claim a couple months after I got out of the military.

The VA raters really like to screw with the 90%'ers. It took me 20 years to get to 90%. Just got a rating for my feet and they gave me 30%, which equaled out to actual 3% increase to 93%, not high enough to round up to 100%.

I have a 0% rating back in 1986 and I'm filling now. Will I received a pro rate from 1986?

If a veteran has 3 static claims and had a rating of 70 or 80 % combined and hasn't worked in over 2 year's and is over 60 years old what would the likelihood of TDIU be for that individual. Static claims would be 2 hip replacement and a knee replacement. DJD, and tinnitus are 10% each as well.

I need to talk with someone in reference to hearing loss. My primary care physician scheduled me EN&T for an audiology exam and I definitely have some issues. The VA sent me to one of there audiologist and she told me to press the button when I hear the low tones well I could not hear the low tones and I was denied. I do have tinnitus and PTSD but have a combined rating of 70%. My 1st sleep apnea test failed so I have to take that one again and I also filed for migraines as I have headaches all the time so those are under review but I need assistance with the hearing My MOS was 13B Field Artillery

Both beautiful. 🥰

I live in St George, Utah. I have tried 4 times to get my husbands rating increased to 100% and have been unsuccessful. Do you know of a VA attorney in my area that I could work with, and that might be able to help me? Thanks for any help. Maryfrances

How do I prove unemployability due to PTSD?

Question: If you have TDIU with P&T status, and you're over 60, how likely is it they would ever lower your rating, so long as you don't have substantially gainful employment?

How does the bilateral factor apply?

How much do you charge 🤔

What if the rating is 80 percent already and the situation is the health is getting worse how they can add percentage to all our health problem like dementia getting worse hearing lost. And depression to much

I play a musical instrument getting paid for services on occasion, would that count against the unemployability rating?

Until I get service connected rating can I not file a secondary conditions ridiculopathy,, Neuropathy along with other body parts additional to my neck and back..or intent to file etc...

Well (70+50+30+30+10+10) will get you there. I just to get my 70 for Mental. I think I got it. I’m at 60% now ( 30+30+10) . I got a strategy. Wish me luck Remember 2 (0%) = 10% too

Yea so say the VA , I went to my private audiologist shows hearing loss and tinnitus, I went to VA audiologist they show hearing loss and tinnitus gave me hearing aids, went to C&P audiologist showed hearing loss, went to second C&P audiologist showed hearing loss and finally went to third C&P audiologist and not sure on results but I’m guessing they kept trying until they got the results they wanted to deny my claim ! In the denial letter they said my job in service is connected to hearing loss and exams show hearing loss but still denied? This whole process is depressing 😳

What happens if your spouse passes away Would you get the mount that he was getting

If someone was at 90% and wanted to get to 100%, could they both file for tdiu and an increase? Because clearly 100% scheduler rating is more secure.

I would like to take my case to court

I have non Hodgkin's lymphoma and I'm under chemo.Nam vet boots on the ground agent Orange.Should I expect to receive 100%?.

Easier said than done; getting the Examiner to just read the evidence, that is. I have a Presumptive Condition and the associated Secondary Condition claims pending for almost 6 months. I can just imagine if I were asking to be a "Hundo" which I'm not. All the supporting evidence is derived from VA health care. Initially I believed that the objective of the PACT Act was in part to make it relatively easier for the VA to process these claims and to alleviate the backlog. A win-win situation....NOT. I guess they are planning to present the denial notice to my widow during my burial activities. I'm going on 79.

Veteran is entitled to 100% service connection rating for xxxx based upon Veteran is entitled to a 40% service connection rating for xxxx Based upon

idk who the lady is on the right but her smile takes my depression away

If I am already at 60% disabled for my heart my ankles and migraines if I file for depression that's secondary to my migraines could I possibly get 100% this way?

I really want to know if I open up a claim for a new condition, will all my other conditions be evaluated so that I could end up going down if they find there’s evidence for that?

50 years waiting, august 3rd hearing. 40%% in 1 ear 80%% in the other, PTSD, Anxiety, and depression. Wish me luck. ) compensation NONE x 50 years... it was only 18 years ago that My hearing loss ( first detected in my exit medical 1973) was finally filed proper then un-filed and un-filed, and un-filed, by CREEPS everywhere. PRAY like God, that all veterans receive better care, and meaningful treatments in all injuries service connected. This video is amazing. My only hope remained, because I decided SUICIDE was off the table

Keep fighting look at the CFR’s if you know you’re right you’re right look up SMC-S you need 160%

How do we contact you with the rating that I have now and what it is.

Why does it tell you you are being paid for one percentage, but it shows you are at a higher percentage?

Does someone with TDIU has the same benefits as 100% P&T scheduler?

Does that include the over 55 years old rule

If you're granted TDIU can you own your own business?

I slipped off the tailgate of my truck ín Korea on a field project and they gave me 6 10mg pain pills and they sent me to sick bay every day for a half hour hot oil massage every day and then an hour of traction treatments. I had to have a surgery on my neck. They want

Is there an age limit for unemployability for a veteran?

Who can help me without costing me an arm and a leg?

My husband gets only 10% disability for lost of hearing but he also ptst, back pain, and heart condition, can you tell me how he can get correct benefit.

Unfortunately there are people who abuse the system. I know a thirty something year old veteran that is 100% dissabled making $4000 tax free monthly.But fully capable of working and has worked out of the service and never served in a war but claims to have injuries that can't be proven like fibromialgea. They should look into claims more and award benefits to veterans that are truly suffering from ptsd and dissablities.

How can I get my rating code sheet asap P

I’m getting fed up with the va. They keep denying my hypertension claim, they diagnosed me with it, and I’ve been on meds every sense. Can you all help me?

My husband has been getting a 40% rating for his hearing for 3 years, and recently the va sent him a letter saying they believe his hearing has improved and they are going to drop his rating to 20%. He went to a private audiologist for another hearing test. The dr said my husband's hearing has not improved, and if anything, it's worse. He wrote a letter to the va, but it didn't seem to matter, because the VA sent him another letter stating the last test they reviewed shows that his hearing has improved. He wears hearing aids and every two years, he has a hearing test at the va hospital in Amarillo Texas, and they give him new hearing aids. What can my husband do next? He's 71 years old.

Who should I contact if I believe I could qualify for unemployability?

I need help from your organization how can I get in touch

I am a disable vet since 1970 because of the cover up of what happen to me the navy did a cover up l was hurt in boot camp by an officer of the day which is an O D he tried to break my neck on a 2 to 4 watch which landed me in the hospital for about 4 months after they couldn't fix what they had broken I was discharged without any of my BENEFITS oh yes did tell you why the cover up the O D was a Christian Knight this is why the cover up happen in 1970 and I am still seeing doctors I went to sick bay after it happen because I could no longer function that's when the cover up begain

how do you get from 20% hear lost to 100%