They could replace the entire VA claim information portion of any Branches TAP process by just making people watch your channel man. Hands down the best source for all my VA questions man. 🤝
Dude, I appreciate this! I actually want to create a TAP Course online for free with resume building, job search, planning for civilian life, and of course VA Disability and Healthcare. I’ll add this to my list 😂 - Clay
@@TheCivDiv I credit you for the percentage I got and the first thing I recommend to anyone who asks me about the claim process/increases, I immediately send them to your channel. I’m in an online class right now with a large Vet community and after I sent your channel out, I got a handful of thank You’s and such. I’ve noticed most of the friends that I have that’ve gotten out of the USMC didn’t get any level of education about the claim process so when they see your videos they’re mind-blown! Clay, you’re doing amazing work keep it up 🙌🏼
Clay, you are awesome! Thank you for providing this invaluable information to the community. There are many people/organizations out there who prey on those who are unfamiliar with these things and are seriously taken advantage of. You are seriously appreciated!
That’s right! And thank you. Submitting a claim is super easy but acts as a barrier between Veterans and their benefits. Hopefully this clears that up. - Clay
Thanks for the video! You made that easy to do. I have a question though, i have issues revealing now but I dont think I was able to document during my time of service as I thought I was Superman at the time. Its been almost 20 years.But I have a lot going on in my body now. Is that going to be an issue as far as claiming for my disability? Thanks for your help!
You're the only one that gave me the correct form for the Buddy Statement! I ended up submitting the wrong form because the last video I saw just gave a 21-4138 for buddy statements. It didn't feel right but whatever I submit- Then I hear you and realize that's the correct form. Hopefully by submitting the correct one they understand the incorrect one was an accident.
@@toddeutsey387 if it’s in your VAMRs then they have it and you go through the options while submitting to detail that evidence. If it’s private, same applies but I always recommend you submit your private evidence yourself. - Clay
After being out for about 20 years, I finally filed a claim for disability about 2 weeks ago. I completely forgot to add tinnitus to my claim before I submitted it. How do I go about adding this? Do I just open up a new claim? My current claim is in step 3. Thanks for all the great videos. I, too, served in the USMC.
My Dr's exam notes in VA medical records say I'm diagnosed with; PTSD, Gen. Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depression. Those same 3 things are now showing up in my official "Problems" list, but they only have an SCT code. There is no official 4-digit diagnostic code to be found anywhere. Should I be concerned before submitting a claim? Thanks.
Currently helping my dad file a claim. He has some supporting documents(digitized MRIs) that are not in one of the supported formats. Any recommendations on what to do?
Dang Professor Clay! Ima gonna have to rewatch this video to take my notes. I’m going pass this class with an A+. I’m going to bring an apple for the Professor tomorrow. Brown Nose for that A+
Hello - Thanks for this tutorial! I will say that even though my address was correct in the VA system my doctor uses, it was not on the VA.GOV website! Soooo, if you go to "click the link inside a link" and you get a "We're sorry. Something went wrong on our end" message box popped up, update your info and it cleared it for me. I do have a evidence-related question, though. I got my military records on a CD through the VA. Do the records contained in that CD fall under VA Records for evidence? I can extract the single pages referencing my condition and submit those, just don't want to send stuff they already have. Thanks!
Thanks a million!! Thanks to you, I am VERY close to putting my materials together for a FDC for a back injury. Question: Do I need to submit (upload) a DBQ for my back injury with my application in order for it to be considered a FDC?
If submitting an appeal for 20% back and wanting to add secondary radiculopathy stemming from lumbar primary - can I submit a DBQ after submitting the appeal? My one year mark is almost up and not sure I can get my own DBQ before then.
Hopefully you're still replying to comments.... I filed a claim today following this exact prescription and it voided my previous ITF (July 13, 2023) and said my claim is effective from today and not July 13, 2023. My VSO's assistant said the old one is now void. These claims might get me to 100% making my back pay ridiculous.... is there ANYTHING I can do to rectify this?!?
Quick Submit video is coming out either tomorrow or Wednesday but…how far along was your claim in the process? I’m assuming this was after evidence gathering. - Clay
Aight so ive been out 8 years but was never active duty only national guard 11b. Didnt want to file anything for myself cause i always thought that if it isnt super sever i shouldnt take from the gov if i dont need it. Now here we are 2024 gov so corrupt soending is out of control inflation is so fucking high and i got 2 kids with anither on the way so this is no longer just about me ive decided to file for 10% tinnitus to start and then will go for anxiety/depression. Was gonna work with vetguard but decided to look into how to do it myself and found your channel thanks for the knowledge and guidance my friend ❤
Great video as usual. I am about to submit my claim via BDD as I have just about 180 days left. Question: If I have all my STR’s scanned as a .pdf file, do I still need to check the box for the VA to pull my STR’s? Or should I just check the box for private medical records and upload those myself? Would that save me some time in the process? Thank you.
I want to be clear here and make sure that you’re good to go. Private health records and your STRs are 2 different things. If you used private insurance and saw a private doctor, off base, not through Tricare, then you would need to get those records and upload them with your claim and/or through quick submit. The VA will get your STRs but to double tap I would upload those via Quick Submit. - Clay
Thanks brother! I'm 51 with some ailments and a worker from the VA told me to apply for benefits. I will be using this video to guide me through. I'm not the most computer savy.😁👍
For any claim, once you have the evidence, submit. The intent to file is for Veterans to make, then gather the evidence, than submit when ready. - Clay
Hey, hopefully you see this! So if I already have an ITF on file (my VSO filed it and I'm getting ready to fire him), when I go through this process, will the VA "see" my current ITF from July of 2023 or does it create a new one?
Thank you for this video Clay. Do you know if i signed a power of attorney to the DAV can i still file my own claims without using them anymore? Also, if its a supplemental claim do you just have to upload the additional evidence it was originally denied or all of the evidence again?
1: Even if the DAV is your representative, you can still file your own claim. No harm no foul. They will receive whatever you get in the mail. 2: For a supplemental claim you have to upload ‘relevant’ evidence. What this means is the evidence has to combat the decision for the denial. This is NEW evidence. - Clay
@@TheCivDiv I was hoping you would say that. I had them represent me before I found your RU-vid videos which explain everything so well. I look forward to yout upcoming videos. Thanks Clay
HEY CLAY- nice videos! Ive submitted in May, had a C&P, now waiting on those results, Examiner said 1-3 months to get rating answer..im at 1 month now, and two weeks ago I submitted a claim for connection to my tinitus, ( with nexus letter) will this delay everything you think?
Your C&P examiner was out of pocket to give you a timeframe. They aren’t privy to the process whatsoever except conducting the exam and fulfilling the VAs request. The tinnitus claim could delay the results. Ideally you would receive a deferred decision on your tinnitus if they needed to gather more information. Tinnitus being so ‘easy’ it could go either way. - Clay
Extremely helpful video. It's like street view in google maps. you know what you are going to see before you start. no surprises. I started a claim in time for the PACT act retro date. Just subscribed too. thank you, Clay Dan
Hey Clay, Today, I went into a planned appointment to file my pact act claims. When I got there, the VSO officer told me that I wouldn't receive compensation for pact act issues. He said, "You're 100% p&t with smc. You're at the highest there is... He said, I can put in a lot of little additional claims for you, but it would only clog up the system.Clay, is this true? I won't receive compensation for pact act claims. None of my previously awarded claims are pact act. I have just been awarded 100% weeks ago. The pact claims were under intent to file...
When it comes to secondary claims, is it important to build the evidence for months and months via appointments or can we just file once we’ve had a couple appointments showing there’s a clear problem? It feels like a never ending loop sometimes, like I can’t file this week because I have another appointment next week..Thanks in advance!
Hi I was trying to finish my claim last night, and the brief description box at 5:35 is not showing up on my home computer, from any browser, or my government computer at work. When I called the VA today, they didn't know and said they would submit a trouble ticket, but it will take at least 7 days and today is my last day to file BDD. Any tips?
At 8:28 talking about submitting supporting evidence you say that Quick Submit is your best route. Can you submit evidence at this Step AND in Quick Submit?
i may just be an idiot but I'm stuck on the 'Reserve and National Guard Information' page. I was active duty and didn't do Reserve/Guard time. I have no idea what to put for the unit name and my DD214 doesn't seem to have the answer either.
Thank you so much. Like many other disabled Vets, the process alone is terrifying. When you have anxiety, the littlest of tasks can be overwhelming. You made it look so easy. 😊
Disabilities definitely make the process worse and thank you’re for the kind words!! I try to make everything as ‘barney style’ as possible. My Marine brain can only handle so much. - Clay
Excellent video! Thanks for making this. I have a question. I'm submitting for 5 conditions via the online 526EZ form.. Im using form 21-4138. Is it ok if I scan and attach the medical records to the 4138 file, or do they want them separate? They way I have it now, I have 5 different pdf files documenting each condition, and the supporting medical documents are in the same attachment. Or, should I scan the 21=4138, and then scan the medical documents in another pdf file? Im trying to make this as easy as possible for the VA person reviewing my file. Thanks in advance!
I hope you see this, but I have a few questions after watching your video. I am active duty Army and requested my medical records from the MTF that I work at. I recieved a 250+ page PDF with all my information. Do you recommend submitting the entire thing for supporting documents? Also, if I plan on submitting 20+ claims, does it all fall under one application submission? Thank you!
Hey brother. Love your videos and appreciate all the info. Quick question: Will an intent to file protect you from the upcoming VA changes on tinnitus? I filed an ITF on Feb 1st because I plan on claiming tinitus probably around April or so. It is my understanding that the changes haven't gone into effect yet. Will I fall under the "old rules" if the VA implanted the rules tomorrow?
I just submitted a claim 2 nights ago, it's supposed to be secondary to my mental health, but when they show the options, there are only 3? Absolutely no place to click for secondary. I see the ez form was updated in March 2023, is this something they did to confuse us? I've done a secondary before so I know I'm not crazy.
@TheCivDiv yes I did it online, 21-526ez form. Very strange there was no option for secondary. I've been on the phone with the VA twice today about it. I had them note that it is definitely a secondary claim. But I bet I still end up getting screwed.
Quick question Clay. Did C&P exams and they're showing on va page. Went and got nexus letters from Dr's and Vso submitted them. Will rater still use those or is it too late?
Thanks a ton! I've been collecting evidence and working on my claim but I didn't know how to organize it, knowing how and when it gets uploaded is a big heads up, thanks!
For the submitting evidence portion; if I list the VA hospital ( I go too) , do I need to upload my medical records? …. Or will the VA be able to abstain these records on their own with the name of the VA hospital, name of primary provider, and dates of treatment?
The VA will have those records. Quick Submit is for private records or, specifically identifying VAMRs or STRs of evidence, not the entire file. - Clay
Might be a stupid question but can u add a personal statement after you submit a claim or is it to late ? i didn't realize i passed it when filling out everything
if i have a past history of insomnia, headaches, anxiety.... and im currently building more medical history on those 3..... should i start a claim for those 3 now or after the 6 weeks of exams
all 3 have progressively gotten worse over the last ten years so i just started a new round of medication's....... i dont have claims on those yet but have been seen for em all since 2010... OIF......im currently rated at 70% (PTSD 50% IBS 30%)
I wouldn’t recommend insomnia/anxiety I’d recommend an increase for PTSD and here is a breakdown of 70% mental health rating: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7zb7UfYHdc0.htmlsi=QA-BUrwATCOqtb8X If you have evidence from service of migraine/headache complaints, then would be a direct claim. Here’s some evidence you need to consider to not get a 0% (or combat with HLR): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Vd9uqszmS1Q.htmlsi=_JKzHA1M4K9ydunl - Clay
I have 2 more scheduled! I know these won't garnish a lot of views but I'll be able to reference and recommend these videos. I get TONS of questions on these so now I can simply link the tutorial. - Clay
Thank you for this video it was extremely informative! I watched it and filled out as I went. However when it comes to this part @ 9:07 how would I go about filling this portion out? I’m filing as an initial claim?? I haven’t been to a VA health center nor had any of my claims seen by them yet
@@TheCivDiv thank you for replying, this video truly helped. Only issue is that it’s “required” for me to fill out the treatment center and check one of the boxes for my claims
@TheCivDiv I was able to use word and type up my personal statements for a few disability. Claims and your formaps and come back craigs format, All I have to do is just copy and paste to the fillable form. Like you said. I just cannot find one on the my healthvet. I see the downloaded form to print. But I don't see a fillable p d f?????
@@TheCivDiv unfortunately I’ve never documented anything. You know the “suck it up butter cup”. And just now seeing that I was WRONG! Am I a lost cause? I’ve done multiple deployments and other active duty orders.
@@malled1989 back dating to when you left the military isn’t possible. You’d have to prove that the VA made a CUE (which is very difficult to do) and in your case that doesn’t seem possible. How you would connect them is first by getting a current diagnosis. Explain what caused your back condition, when you started feeling pain, etc…submit the claim. You would be missing the in-service event and nexus. The C&P examiner can give the opinion that your back is connected (there’s a bit more than that but I’m being brief). If denied, combat the denial directly. - Clay
@@TheCivDiv While following your instructions and completing my VA disability claim. Will this be the start of my personal claim to see if I'll be able to get over 30% of disability and use it to apply for GS jobs?
@@michaell.7106 assuming you’re service-connected and rated, sure. You should definitely check out some of my videos on submitting VA Claims. More so, evidence-based claims. - Clay
@TheCivDiv Thank you for the follow up! Service connected, yes. Rated?? It's my first time submitting for a claim, and I hear it's important to do it right the first time. I will look at the other videos you have put out before I submit. TY
When is your next live and Q&A sessions? I love the fact that you are taking your time in Hawaii to help other veterans. God bless you and your family!
@@TheCivDiv We love you man! When is your next live session with the C&P examiner? Make sure the voice is altered. So, he or she can stay unanimous. Keep up the good work.
This is an awesome video, thank you. its good to see the process. I have about 6 months to go to file my BDD claim so I am absorbing as much knowledge as possible.
Thank you very much and you’re welcome. Most important, don’t pay anyone to do this for you, or a membership, or for a ‘premier’ package. This stuff is easy and I’ll be here if you need me. - Clay
Has any veteran watching this video got an outside MRI or X-Ray 🩻 or similar and submitted it to release of information (ROI) at your local veterans Hospital … Then actually find the images and report in MyHealtheVet? … I submitted an MRI CD 💿 to my ROI and don’t see any images or report there … However an MRI done at the Veterans Hospital 🏥 is uploaded to MyHeatheVet in about 4 days
