VA Claims Intel

Blue Water Navy Agent Orange Eligibility

The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act expanded Agent Orange presumption to sailors who served offshore. Here is who qualifies and how to file.

Clear & Unmistakable Error (CUE) Claims

CUE is one of the only ways to overturn a final VA decision years or decades later. Here is when it applies and how to file.

Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD: Nexus

Sleep apnea is one of the most frequently granted secondary conditions to PTSD. Here is the medical basis, evidence strategy, and common pitfalls.

VA Parkinson's & ALS: Presumptive 100% Ratings

Parkinson's and ALS carry automatic 100% ratings and strong presumptive pathways. Here is how service connection and rating work for each.

VA Prostate Cancer Rating & Agent Orange

Prostate cancer is an Agent Orange presumptive condition. Here is how the VA rates active disease, post-treatment residuals, and when reductions apply.

VA TBI Rating: DC 8045 Facets & Evidence

Traumatic brain injury ratings are complex, multi-domain evaluations. Here is how the 10 TBI facets work under DC 8045 and how to document each.

The VA Built an AI to Find Fraud in Your Claims. Here's What Their Own Inspector General Found in Theirs.

VA OIG found their own calculator underpaid veterans up to $4,170/mo. Federal courts remand 80% of Board decisions. Now the VA is scanning your DBQs for fraud. Every number sourced from .gov reports and peer-reviewed research.

The VA Medication Rule Reversal Explained

The VA published a rule letting ratings drop based on medication effectiveness. Veteran backlash forced a reversal in days. Here is what it means.

VA Fraud Detection Tool for Claims (2026)

The VA is building an analytics tool to scan DBQs for fraud patterns. Here is what it targets and why honest claimants have nothing to worry about.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act Update 2026

Over 409,000 Camp Lejeune claims have been filed but only about 2,500 settled. Here is the latest on the litigation and the DOJ Elective Option.

Gulf War Presumptive Deadline: Dec 2026

The deadline for Gulf War presumptive conditions is approaching. Learn which conditions qualify, who is eligible, and how to file before it expires.

Major Richard Star Act: Concurrent Receipt

Over 54,000 combat-injured veterans lose military retirement dollar-for-dollar to VA disability offsets. The Major Richard Star Act aims to fix that.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): K-T

Special Monthly Compensation pays veterans with severe disabilities extra. This guide covers every SMC level from K through T and how to qualify.

VA Sleep Apnea Rating Changes: 2026

The VA proposed major changes to how sleep apnea is rated. Here is where things stand in 2026 and what veterans need to know.

VA Survivor Benefits: DIC, Burial & Education

When a veteran dies, surviving family may qualify for DIC, burial, education, and health benefits. This guide covers every major survivor benefit.

State Veterans Homes: Long-Term Care

State veterans homes provide affordable long-term care, nursing home care, and domiciliary services. Here is how they work.

Incarcerated Veteran Benefits & Reentry

Incarceration affects certain VA benefits but not others. Here is what veterans and families need to know during incarceration and reentry.

Veterans Treatment Courts Explained

Veterans Treatment Courts offer treatment-focused alternatives to traditional criminal justice for qualifying veterans. Here is how they work.

TRICARE for Life vs. CHAMPVA

TRICARE for Life and CHAMPVA serve different veteran populations. Here is how the programs compare and when each applies.

VA Burial Benefits & Cemetery Eligibility

Most veterans qualify for burial in a VA national cemetery and various burial benefits. Here is what families need to know.

SCRA & USERRA: Service Member Protections

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and USERRA provide critical protections for service members returning to civilian life. Here is what each covers.

Veterans' Preference in Federal Hiring

Veterans' preference provides competitive advantages in federal employment. Here is how the preference categories work and how to claim them.

MyHealtheVet: Complete Portal Tutorial

MyHealtheVet is the primary digital portal for VA healthcare. Here is how to use the key features effectively.

VA Travel Reimbursement (BTSSS) Guide

The Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System lets eligible veterans submit travel claims online. Here is who qualifies and how to file.

VA Clothing & Automobile Allowances

Clothing allowance and automobile allowance compensate for specific costs associated with certain service-connected disabilities. Here is how they work.

Chapter 35 DEA & Fry Scholarship

Two distinct programs provide education benefits to dependents of disabled or deceased veterans. Here is how each works.

Vet Centers vs. VA Medical Centers

Vet Centers and VA Medical Centers serve different but complementary roles. Here is what each offers and when to use them.

VA Lung Cancer & PACT Act Presumptive

Lung cancer is a PACT Act presumptive for burn pit exposure. Here is how the VA rates active and residual disease and how to file.

VA Cancer Ratings: Active & Residuals

Cancer rating in the VA system follows a distinct pattern: 100% during treatment, then re-evaluation. Here is how it works for all cancer types.

Thailand, K2 & Atomic Veteran Exposure

Beyond Vietnam and burn pits, several presumptive frameworks cover specific exposures. Here is what applies for Thailand, K2, and radiation-exposed veterans.

VA Permanent & Total (P&T) Benefits

P&T status unlocks benefits beyond the 100% rating itself, including DEA, CHAMPVA, and property tax exemptions in many states.

TDIU & Marginal Employment Explained

TDIU allows limited employment below the federal poverty threshold. Here is exactly how marginal employment is defined and why it matters.

VA Rating Reduction Protection Rules

Your VA rating is protected from reduction after specific time periods. Here is how the protective rules in 38 CFR 3.951 and 3.344 work.

How to Fight a Proposed VA Rating Cut

A proposed reduction notice is not a final decision. Here is exactly what to do in the 60-day response window.

Presumption of Soundness & Aggravation

Two critical presumptions protect veterans with pre-existing conditions. Here is how they work and what evidence rebuts them.

DeLuca Factors: Flare-Ups & Functional Loss

DeLuca v. Brown changed how the VA evaluates joint disabilities. Here is what examiners must consider and how to document your case.

VA Staged Ratings Explained

Staged ratings reflect that disabilities can worsen or improve over time. Here is how the VA uses them and what it means for your back pay.

VA Benefit of the Doubt Rule Explained

The reasonable doubt doctrine favors the veteran when evidence is in equipoise. Here is how it works and how to invoke it.

Extraschedular Ratings: 38 CFR 3.321

Some veterans have disabilities so unique the rating schedule does not fit. Here is how extraschedular consideration works.

The VA Pyramiding Rule Explained

The pyramiding rule prevents double-counting, but its proper application often protects rather than limits veterans.

GERD Secondary to PTSD & Medications

GERD can be caused or aggravated by PTSD medications. Here is how to build the secondary service connection argument.

VA Bipolar & Schizophrenia Ratings

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia use the same general mental health formula as PTSD. Here is how to document and claim these serious conditions.

VA Stroke & CVA Residuals Rating

Stroke residuals are rated on the specific deficits they leave behind. Here is how the VA evaluates hemiparesis, aphasia, and cognitive impairment.

VA Vertigo & Meniere's: DC 6204-6205

Peripheral vestibular disorders and Meniere's disease have distinct rating frameworks. Here is how the VA evaluates vertigo and balance dysfunction.

VA Liver Ratings: Hepatitis C & Cirrhosis

Hepatitis C and cirrhosis are common liver conditions among Vietnam-era and post-9/11 veterans. Here is how the VA rates liver disease.

VA Seizure & Epilepsy Ratings: DC 8910

Seizure disorders are often secondary to TBI, stroke, or medication effects. Here is how the VA rates seizure frequency and type.

VA Kidney Disease Rating Guide

Kidney disease is frequently secondary to hypertension, diabetes, and exposure-related conditions. Here is how the VA rates renal dysfunction.

VA Thyroid Condition Ratings

Thyroid dysfunction can arise from radiation exposure and autoimmune conditions. Here is how the VA rates hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

VA Bladder & Urinary Incontinence: DC 7512

Urinary problems are common residuals of prostate surgery, spinal injuries, and other service-connected conditions. Here is how the VA rates them.

VA Plantar Fasciitis & Pes Planus: DC 5276

Foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and flat feet are common after years of ruck marches and standing duties. Here is how the VA rates them.

VA Erectile Dysfunction Ratings & SMC-K

Erectile dysfunction rarely carries a schedular rating but triggers Special Monthly Compensation under SMC-K. Here is how it works.

VA Radiculopathy Rating: Back & Neck

Radiculopathy is one of the highest-yield secondary claims for back and neck conditions. Here is how the VA rates nerve impairment under 38 CFR 4.124a.

VA Carpal Tunnel Rating: DC 8515

Carpal tunnel syndrome is rated under the median nerve code. Here is how severity levels apply and when post-surgical residuals matter.

VA Heart Disease Ratings: METs & DC 7005

Ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease ratings hinge on METs and ejection fraction. Here is how the VA applies 38 CFR 4.104.

VA Asthma Rating: DC 6602 & FEV1

Bronchial asthma is rated on pulmonary function testing and treatment intensity. Here is how DC 6602 applies and how to document the claim.

VA Sinusitis & Rhinitis Ratings: DC 6510

Chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are common deployment-related conditions. Here is how the VA rates them and how to document incapacitating episodes.

GERD VA Rating: The PTSD Medication Connection Nobody Tells You About

GERD (DC 7346) rates from 10-60%. How PTSD medications like NSAIDs and SSRIs cause GERD as a secondary condition under 38 C.F.R. 3.310.

Flat Feet VA Rating: Why the VA Denies This More Than Almost Any Other Condition

Pes planus (DC 5276) rates from 0-50%. How to overcome the pre-existing condition defense, plantar fasciitis by analogy, and the secondary condition chain.

How to Increase Your VA Disability Rating: The 5 Strategies That Actually Work in 2026

Five proven strategies: secondary conditions under 38 C.F.R. 3.310, claims for increase, bilateral factor, TDIU under 4.16, and SMC. No coaching fees required.

Carpal Tunnel VA Rating: Your Dominant Hand Is Worth More and Most Veterans Miss It

Carpal tunnel (DC 8515) rates from 10-70%. Dominant hand gets higher ratings. Bilateral factor applies. EMG/NCS testing determines your severity level.

VA Scars & Disfigurement: DC 7800-7805

Scars can support meaningful VA ratings, especially on the head, face, and neck. Here is how DC 7800 through DC 7805 work and what evidence is needed.

How to File a VA Supplemental Claim in 2026: The Complete 20-0995 Guide

A supplemental claim is the fastest path to reversing a VA denial. What counts as new and relevant evidence under 38 C.F.R. 3.2501, the one-year effective date trap, duty to assist, and step-by-step filing instructions.

The VA Bilateral Factor: How Paired Conditions Add 10% to Your Rating

Both knees rated? Both shoulders? Under 38 C.F.R. 4.26, paired extremity conditions get a 10% boost before entering VA math. Most veterans never know this exists. The math, the conditions, and how to verify.

VA Ankle Ratings: DC 5270-5274 & ROM

Ankle injuries are among the most common service-connected orthopedic claims. Here is how the VA rates limited motion, ankylosis, and residual instability.

VA Hypertension Rating: DC 7101

Hypertension is among the most claimed cardiovascular conditions. Learn how DC 7101 works, what blood-pressure readings qualify, and how to build evidence.

VA PTSD Disability Rating: 0-100% Guide

Learn how the VA rates PTSD from 0% to 100%, the DSM-5 criteria required, how to prep for your C&P exam, and which secondaries raise your rating.

VA Back Pain & Lumbar Spine Ratings

Learn how the VA rates lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and other lower-back conditions by range of motion and functional loss.

VA Knee Rating: Flexion & Instability

The VA can assign separate knee ratings for flexion, extension, and instability. Learn the diagnostic codes, thresholds, and how to maximize your rating.

VA Anxiety & Depression Rating Guide

Anxiety and depression use the same rating formula as PTSD. Learn the 0-100% levels, how occupational impairment is assessed, and what evidence VA needs.

VA Shoulder Disability Rating Guide: ROM

Shoulder conditions are rated by range of motion, and your dominant arm matters. Learn the diagnostic codes, ROM thresholds, and how to prep for the exam.

VA Tinnitus & Hearing Loss Rating Guide

Tinnitus caps at 10%, but hearing loss can rate higher. Learn how the VA rates both, the audiology exam process, and how to document noise exposure.

VA Sleep Apnea Rating & Evidence Guide

Sleep apnea ratings hinge on CPAP use, respiratory failure, or being asymptomatic. Learn the rating criteria, required evidence, and how to strengthen it.

VA Migraine Rating Guide: DC 8100 Evidence

Migraines rate from 0% to 50% by the frequency and severity of prostrating attacks. Learn the thresholds, what prostrating means, and how to document them.

VA GERD Rating: IBS, Hiatal Hernia & More

GERD, IBS, and other digestive conditions are often secondary to medications or PTSD. Learn the rating criteria, diagnostic codes, and evidence strategies.

VA Diabetes Type 2 Rating & Agent Orange

Type 2 diabetes rates from 10% to 100% and is presumptive for Agent Orange. Learn the rating levels, secondary conditions, and evidence requirements.

VA Peripheral Neuropathy Rating Guide

Peripheral neuropathy is rated separately for each affected limb. Learn the diagnostic codes, severity levels, and secondary claims to diabetes or spine.

VA Neck & Cervical Spine Ratings: IVDS

Cervical spine conditions use the same spinal formula as the lumbar spine but different ROM thresholds. Learn the criteria, IVDS option, and evidence.

VA Hip Disability Rating Guide: ROM

Hip conditions are rated under several diagnostic codes for different limitations. Learn the ROM thresholds, hip-replacement rules, and how to build a claim.

VA Skin Ratings: Eczema, Psoriasis & More

Skin conditions are rated by body area affected and treatment required. Learn the DC 7806 criteria, how systemic therapy changes your rating, and evidence.

VA Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Ratings

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are Gulf War presumptives. Learn the DC 5025 criteria, documentation requirements, and how to build a claim.

Migraine VA Rating: The Word 'Prostrating' Is Worth $1,000/Month

Migraines rated under DC 8100 on frequency of prostrating attacks. 10% to 50% based on one word. Secondary connections to TBI, tinnitus, PTSD.

Anxiety and Depression VA Rating: How Occupational Impairment Determines Your Percentage

Same formula as PTSD. Rated on occupational and social impairment, not diagnosis. 0-100% criteria, Mauerhan v. Principi, and why symptoms are examples not requirements.

Knee VA Rating: Why Most Veterans Leave Money on the Table

You can receive separate ratings for flexion, extension, AND instability on EACH knee. Most veterans only get one. VAOPGCPREC 23-97 and 9-04 protect your right to separate ratings.

Tinnitus VA Rating: It's Capped at 10%. Here's Why It Still Matters.

Tinnitus is the #1 claimed disability at 10% max. But that 10% opens the door to secondaries worth $500-$1,500+/mo: migraines, depression, insomnia, TBI.

How to Prepare for a C&P Exam in 2026: The Complete Guide

The C&P exam is the most important event in your claim. ROM testing procedures, what to say, what not to say, Correia, Sharp, DeLuca, and how the VA rates your exam.

PTSD VA Rating Explained: What Each Percentage Actually Requires

PTSD is rated on occupational and social impairment, not diagnosis severity. The 0-100% criteria under 38 C.F.R. 4.130, combat stressor concession, MST rules, and secondary conditions.

VA Presumptive Conditions in 2026: The Complete List

Presumptive service connection means no nexus letter needed. PACT Act burn pit conditions, Agent Orange, Gulf War illness, Camp Lejeune, radiation exposure. Every category covered.

Back Pain VA Disability Rating: ROM Thresholds, Secondary Conditions, and What Examiners Measure

Lumbar spine is one of the most commonly claimed conditions. The exact ROM thresholds for 10-100%, IVDS formula, radiculopathy secondaries, and how the C&P exam works.

Sleep Apnea VA Rating: The CPAP Rule, PTSD Secondary, and What's Changing

CPAP use = 50% rating. Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD adds $970/month to a 50% PTSD rating. Current criteria, the secondary connection, and evidence requirements.

Homeless Veteran Resources Guide

If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk, help is available now. This guide covers every major VA and federal program, shelter to housing.

VA Community Care Program Explained

VA Community Care lets eligible veterans get care from local providers when the VA cannot see them in time. Learn the eligibility and referral process.

VA Knee Disability Ratings: ROM & Codes

Knee conditions are among the most common VA claims. Learn the diagnostic codes for flexion, extension, and instability, and when you get separate ratings.

SDVOSB & VOSB Certification for Contracts

Learn how SDVOSB and VOSB certification works, now managed by the SBA, and how it unlocks federal contracting set-asides for veteran-owned businesses.

27 New Veterans Bills in Congress (2026)

The House Veterans Affairs Committee is reviewing 27 new bills on health care, accountability, education, and workforce. Here are the most impactful.

Hidden Veteran Benefits You May Not Know

Beyond compensation and the GI Bill, veterans have dozens of lesser-known benefits, from federal hiring preference to free national park passes.

How to Request Your Military Records

Your service and medical records are the foundation of any VA claim. Learn how to request them through NPRC, eVetRecs, and FOIA, and fix missing records.

Survivors Pension: Benefits for Families

Survivors Pension pays monthly benefits to low-income surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans. Learn the eligibility rules, MAPR, and how to apply.

VA Housing Support: HUD-VASH & SSVF

Beyond home loans, the VA runs housing programs for veterans facing instability. Learn about HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD, and other rental-assistance options.

VA Back & Spine Ratings: ROM, IVDS, DeLuca

Back and spine conditions are among the most claimed VA disabilities. Learn how the General Rating Formula, ROM thresholds, and DeLuca factors work.

CRDP vs. CRSC: Concurrent Receipt Explained

If you get both military retirement and VA disability, CRDP versus CRSC can mean thousands a year. Here is how each program works and who qualifies.

Veteran ID Cards: Every Type Explained

From the VA-issued VHIC to state driver-license designations, veteran ID comes in many forms. Learn each type, how to get it, and which earns discounts.

VA Urgent & Emergency Care Explained

Knowing when to use VA urgent care, community urgent care, or the ER saves money and time. Learn the rules for emergency coverage at non-VA facilities.

VR&E Self-Employment Track Guide

The VR&E self-employment track funds disabled veterans starting or growing a business. Learn eligibility, the business-plan process, and what VA funds.

The VA Nexus Letter: What It Is, Who Writes It, and Why It Makes or Breaks Your Claim

A nexus letter is a medical opinion linking your current condition to military service. Under 38 C.F.R. 3.159, the VA requires competent medical evidence for service connection.

PTSD C&P Exam: What to Expect, How Raters Score It, and the Criteria That Matter

The PTSD C&P exam uses DSM-5 criteria and rates under 38 C.F.R. 4.130, DC 9411. Occupational and social impairment across four levels.

Intent to File: The One-Page Form Worth Thousands in Retroactive Pay

VA Form 21-0966 locks in your effective date up to one year before you submit your full claim. Under 38 C.F.R. 3.155, every day without an ITF is money you cannot get back.

Burn Pit Claims Under the PACT Act: Presumptive Conditions, Eligibility, and How to File

The PACT Act created presumptive service connection for 23+ conditions related to toxic exposure. If you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Southwest Asia, you may not need to prove individual exposure.

How to Reach 100% VA Disability: Schedular, TDIU, and the Strategic Approach

Three paths to 100%: schedular combined ratings, TDIU for individual unemployability, and SMC for specific losses. The math, the secondaries, and the filing order.

Claim Sharks: Avoid VA Claim Scams

Unaccredited companies are charging veterans thousands of dollars for services they can get for free. Learn how to identify claim sharks and protect yourself.

Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)

DBQs are standardized medical forms the VA uses to evaluate claims. Learn which are public, how private doctors complete them, and how they shape ratings.

Veteran Suicide Prevention Resources

A guide to veteran suicide prevention resources, including the Veterans Crisis Line, the SSG Fox Grant Program, and practical steps for families.

Social Security Disability vs. VA Disability

Yes, you can receive both SSDI and VA disability. Learn how the two programs differ, how they interact, and how a VA rating can support your SSDI claim.

VA Pension Income & Asset Limits: MAPR

VA pension eligibility turns on income and net worth. Learn MAPR rates, the net worth limit, the look-back period, and how to gauge your eligibility.

VA Claim Timeline 2026: Each Phase

Learn the current VA claim timeline, from Intent to File to rating decision. Understand each phase, what causes delays, and how to check your status.

Fraud Protection: Spot VA Benefit Scams

Veterans are frequent targets of claim sharks and pension poaching. Learn how to spot predatory companies, verify representatives, and protect benefits.

VR&E (Chapter 31): Veteran Readiness Guide

VR&E (Chapter 31) offers five tracks of career support for disabled veterans. Learn eligibility, services, the subsistence allowance, and GI Bill tradeoffs.

VA Caregiver Support: Stipends & Care

The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers offers stipends, health coverage, and support to caregivers of eligible veterans.

Veteran Property Tax Exemptions by State

Most states offer property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, but rules and amounts vary widely. Learn how they work and which states offer the most.

VA Workforce Cuts 2026: What to Know

The VA has shed tens of thousands of employees this year, including health staff and claims processors. Here is how the cuts affect veterans.

VA Licensing & Certification Reimbursement

The GI Bill covers more than tuition. Veterans can use it to pay for licensing exams and professional certifications. Learn which tests qualify.

How to Choose a VSO, Attorney or Agent

Understand the differences between VSOs, attorneys, and claims agents. Learn how to verify accreditation, what each can charge, and when to switch.

VA Mental Health Services & PTSD Care

The VA offers comprehensive mental health care: PTSD treatment, substance use programs, MST counseling, and crisis support. Many require no copay.

GI Bill Double-Dipping 2026: MGIB & Post-9/11

New rulings confirm 1.2 million veterans may use both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills. Here is how the 48-month combined cap works.

VA Reorganization 2026: What It Means

The VA is undergoing its largest health care reorganization in three decades. Here is what changed, what it means for veterans, and how to navigate it.

VA Adapted Housing Grants: SAH, SHA & TRA

The VA offers housing grants to help disabled veterans build or modify accessible homes. Learn about SAH, SHA, TRA, and HISA grants and how to apply.

The VA Bilateral Factor Explained

The bilateral factor is a 10% bonus for paired disabilities on both sides of the body. Learn how it works in combined-rating math and what qualifies.

Military Discharge Upgrades: How to Qualify

A less-than-honorable discharge can block VA benefits. Learn the upgrade process, which review boards to use, and how the Hagel and Kurta memos help.

Intent to File: Protect Your Back Pay

An Intent to File locks in your effective date up to a year before your full claim. Learn how this one form can mean thousands in added back pay.

VA Housebound Benefits vs Aid & Attendance

Housebound benefits come through both VA compensation (SMC-S) and VA pension. Learn the eligibility criteria for each, how rates work, and when to apply.

VA Claims Backlog 2026: Wait Times

The VA claims backlog is still significant in 2026. Here is the current data on pending claims, average wait times, and how to speed up your claim.

Burn Pit Exposure & PACT Act Claims Guide

A practical guide to filing burn pit and toxic exposure claims under the PACT Act: presumptive conditions, screening, exposure concession, and filing.

How to Read Your VA Rating Decision Letter

VA rating decision letters can be confusing. Learn what each section means, how to spot errors, and what to do if you disagree with the outcome.

Yellow Ribbon Program Explained

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps Post-9/11 GI Bill users cover tuition above the maximum benefit. Learn how it works and which schools participate.

National Guard & Reserve VA Benefits

Guard and Reserve service raises unique VA eligibility questions. Learn the Title 10 versus Title 32 difference and how to establish service connection.

VA One-Time Close Construction Loans

A VA one-time close construction loan finances land, building, and your mortgage in a single closing. Learn the requirements and builder criteria.

VA Aid & Attendance: Higher Pension Rates

Aid and Attendance is an enhanced pension for veterans and survivors who need daily help. Learn the eligibility criteria, current rates, and how to apply.

VA GERD, IBS & Digestive Condition Ratings

GERD and IBS are commonly claimed by veterans, often secondary to medications or as Gulf War presumptives. Learn the rating criteria and the evidence you need.

VA Dental & Vision Benefits Explained

VA dental and vision benefits have eligibility rules that differ from general VA health care. Learn the dental classes, VADIP insurance, and vision care.

How to Prepare for Your C&P Exam (2026)

Your C&P exam is one of the most important steps in your VA claim. Learn how to prepare, what to expect, and common mistakes to avoid.

Secondary Conditions: Raise Your Rating

Secondary service connection is one of the most overlooked ways veterans can increase their combined disability rating. Here is how it works and how to file.

Personal Statement Tips for VA Claims

Your personal statement can make or break your claim. Learn how to write one that addresses the specific criteria VA raters use to assign disability ratings.

TDIU: 100% Pay Without a 100% Rating

Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability pays at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.

How to File a VA Supplemental Claim

Denied by the VA? A supplemental claim may be your best next step. Learn the requirements, what counts as new evidence, and how to build a winning claim.

CHAMPVA: Coverage for Veteran Families

CHAMPVA covers health care for spouses and dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or died from service. Learn how to apply.

Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) Guide

The Board of Veterans Appeals is the VA's highest review level. Learn the three docket lanes, what happens at a Board hearing, and how to navigate it.

Filing a VA MST Claim: Evidence & Process

Learn how to file a VA claim for conditions caused by military sexual trauma, including the relaxed evidence standards and the marker evidence VA accepts.

VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance Explained

The VA IRRRL refinances an existing VA loan to a lower rate with less paperwork, no appraisal, and often no out-of-pocket costs. Here is how it works.

Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions

A comprehensive guide to Agent Orange presumptive conditions, who qualifies, how to file, and recent additions to the list including Blue Water Navy veterans.

VA Hearing Loss Ratings: Why So Many Get 0%

Tinnitus caps at 10% and hearing loss often rates 0% on audiometric tables. Learn how the VA rates these conditions and what options you have.

VA Pension: Eligibility & Income Limits

VA pension is a needs-based benefit for low-income wartime veterans. Learn who qualifies, how the means test works, and how it differs from compensation.

VA Combined Ratings Math Explained

The VA does not add disability ratings together. Here is exactly how the combined-ratings formula works under 38 CFR 4.25 and what it means for pay.

PACT Act & Toxic Exposure: 2026 Guide

The PACT Act expanded VA benefits for millions exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxins. Here is what qualifies and how to file.

Buddy Statements: Why They Matter

A strong buddy statement can provide the supporting evidence your VA claim needs. Learn who can write one, what to include, and how to make it count.

Nexus Letters Explained: When You Need One

A nexus letter can be the single most important piece of evidence in a VA claim. Learn what makes one strong, who can write it, and when you need it.

VA Claims for PTSD, Depression & Anxiety

Mental health conditions are among the most claimed VA disabilities. Learn how they are rated, what evidence you need, and what to expect at your C&P exam.

VA Home Loans: Complete 2026 Guide

VA home loans offer no down payment, no PMI, and competitive rates. Learn how to get your Certificate of Eligibility and navigate the funding fee.

VA Health Care Enrollment & Priority Groups

VA health care reaches most veterans, but eligibility, priority groups, and copays vary. Learn how to enroll, what is covered, and your priority group.

2026 VA Disability Pay Rates & COLA Increase

The 2026 VA disability rates reflect a 2.8% COLA. Here are the new monthly amounts and how dependent rates, SMC, and the COLA calculation work.

VA Power of Attorney: Forms 21-22 & 22a

Learn what VA power of attorney means, what Forms 21-22 and 21-22a let your representative do, and how to change or revoke your POA at any time.

Women Veteran Health Care Services

Women are the fastest-growing veteran group. Learn about VA health services for women, from maternity care to gender-specific PTSD treatment.

Post-9/11 vs Montgomery GI Bill Guide

You may qualify for both the Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills. Learn the differences and how to use up to 48 months of combined entitlement.

Higher-Level Review (HLR) Explained

Higher-Level Review puts a senior VA reviewer on your claim with no new evidence. Learn when HLR is the right choice and how informal conferences work.

VA Migraine & Headache Ratings: DC 8100

Migraines are rated under DC 8100 by the frequency and severity of prostrating attacks. Learn what each level requires and how to document attacks.

VA Appeals Under AMA: Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board Appeals

Denied or underrated? Three decision review lanes under the Appeals Modernization Act. Full timelines, evidence rules, and lane-switching strategy.

TDIU: Getting Paid at the 100% Rate Without a 100% Schedular Rating

Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability under 38 C.F.R. 4.16. Schedular and extraschedular eligibility, VA Form 21-8940, and substantially gainful employment rules.

VA Rating Reductions: Your Rights and the Protections Most Veterans Don't Know About

The VA cannot reduce your rating without specific procedural protections. The 5-year rule, 10-year rule, 20-year rule, and what triggers a review.

BDD Claims: Filing Before You Separate for the Best Effective Date

Benefits Delivery at Discharge lets you file 180-90 days before separation. Your effective date is the day after discharge. The single most valuable thing you can do.

CRDP vs CRSC: Which Concurrent Receipt Program Applies to You?

Military retirees with VA disability may receive concurrent retirement and disability pay. CRDP vs CRSC eligibility, combat-related determination, and which pays more.

Other Than Honorable Discharge: VA Benefits You May Still Be Eligible For

An OTH discharge does not automatically disqualify you from VA benefits. Character of discharge determinations, insanity defense, and which benefits remain available.

2026 VA COLA Increase Explained (2.8%)

VA disability rates rose 2.8% effective December 2025. Here is what veterans at every rating level now receive and how the increase is calculated.

VA Claim Effective Dates Explained

Your effective date sets when compensation starts and how much back pay you get. Learn the rules and why an Intent to File can save you thousands.

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates: Full Breakdown with 2.8% COLA

Complete 2026 VA disability rates effective December 1, 2025. Single, married, with dependents. 10% through 100% with 2.8% COLA increase.

The VA Medication Rule: How Prescriptions Affect Your Rating

Continuous medication for a condition can establish a minimum compensable rating. How the VA weighs medication in rating decisions.

VA Secondary Conditions: The Complete Guide to 38 C.F.R. 3.310

Secondary service connection under 38 C.F.R. 3.310. What qualifies, how to establish the nexus, and the most common secondary conditions that veterans miss.

VA Math Explained: How the VA Calculates Your Combined Rating

The VA does not add ratings. Under 38 C.F.R. 4.25, each rating applies to the remaining healthy percentage. 50% + 30% = 65%, not 80%.

C&P Exam Mistakes Veterans Make in 2026 - And How to Avoid Them

The C&P exam is where most VA claims are won or lost. The most common mistakes veterans make before and during the exam, and the regulatory standards that govern each one.

Secondary Conditions and VA Math: Stacking Your Rating in 2026

Most veterans miss secondary conditions entirely. Under 38 C.F.R. 3.310, a service-connected condition can support claims for conditions it caused or aggravated, and how the math stacks.

VA Rating Reduction Protection in 2026 - What the VA Can and Cannot Do

VA can reduce your rating, but the rules are strict. Stabilized ratings (5+ years), protected ratings (10+ years), and total disability ratings each carry different protections.

VA Math and the Bilateral Factor in 2026 - How the Calculation Actually Works

Veterans with conditions on both sides of the body are often missing the bilateral factor. Under 38 C.F.R. 4.26, paired conditions get an additional percentage before VA math.

How to Read Your VA Rating Decision Letter in 2026

VA rating decision letters are dense, technical documents. This guide walks through every section - what each part means and what the VA is actually saying.