In 2025, updates to VA policies and rating criteria make right now an ideal time to seek a VA rating increase. Changes to mental health ratings, stricter guidelines for some other conditions, and potential impacts on compensation highlight the importance of acting now to secure the VA benefits you deserve. There are Significant changes to the VA rating system that are expected in 2025, affecting: Mental Health Ratings Sleep Apnea Ratings Tinnitus Ratings We thank you to everyone who takes the time to watch this episode and hope this helps you. Thank you for your service to our Country! 👥Hosts: Veterans Claim Servants https://www.veteransclaimservants.com/ 🤝Connect: Veterans Claim Servants: Instagram: / veteransclaimservantsusa Facebook: / veteransclaimservants TikTok: / veteransclaimservants Email: Info@veteransclaimservants.com 🩺 NEXUS LETTERS: MENTAL HEALTH Dr. Prashant Sharma - Psychiatrist 📧 Email: prashant.sharma.vcs@concisepsych.com Dr. Luis Lopez - Psychologist 📧 Email: phd.lw.lopez@gmail.com MUSCULOSKELETAL Quality Nexus Letters 📧 Email: qualityhealthgroupllc@yahoo.com MENTAL HEALTH COURSE By Dr. Prashant (Board Certified Psychiatrist): Take control of your mental health https://www.concisepsych.com/missionr... use code: “VCS” for 10% off Our Mission and Vision: To Provide Resources, Education, and the information you need to get the benefits that you deserve and have earned. DISCLAIMER: Veterans Claim Servants is not affiliated with the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Veterans Claim Servants is not an accredited VSO claims agent or attorney. This information and education does not guarantee a va disability rating at all nor a rating this is just educational information that can give you the information you need to succeed. Veterans Claim Servants is a Education based consulting company that is not holding itself out as a representative of veterans in any capacity with any government agency of any kind. We are not advisers, claims agents, veteran service officers, medical/mental health professionals or VA representatives and do not represent anyone before the VA. These videos are for educational/informational purposes only, and anyone watching these videos understands that the information is for these purposes only and it is not to be solely relied upon for the Veterans Affairs compensation process as it is only a broad and general overview of the VA claims process. While it is possible to maximize your benefits, it’s solely your responsibility to become educated on the VA disability compensation claims process. It is imperative that you conduct your own research.

https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-makes-several-cancers-presumptive-for-service-connection-lowering-the-burden-of-proof-for-veterans-to-receive-no-cost-health-care-and-earned-benefits/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20President%20Biden%20signed,to%20encourage%20Veterans%20to%20apply. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/08/statement-from-president-biden-on-new-action-to-expand-benefits-for-veterans/ With the link to cancer and other illnesses in mind, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a PACT Act expansion on January 8, 2025, dedicated to widening the access to benefits and care for veterans exposed to toxic substances. This expansion will lower the burden of proof for veterans who had served in the following wars and conflicts, according to the VA’s website: Gulf War Veterans: Veterans who served in Somalia or the Southwest Asia theater of operations (which includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above these locations) during the Persian Gulf War on or after Aug. 2, 1990. Post-9/11 Veterans: Veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, or Uzbekistan and the airspace above these locations during the Gulf War on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This includes Veterans who served at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan after Sept. 11, 2001. The new authorities featured in this expansion of the PACT Act regarding urinary bladder, ureter, and related genitourinary cancers have been enacted as of January 2, 2025, and the authorities regarding acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myelomas, and myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis are active as of January 10, 2025. Eligible veterans and their surviving families are encouraged to apply, including veterans and their surviving families with previously denied claims.

A wage garnishment is a court-ordered withholding of earnings to satisfy an unpaid debt, such as alimony. Certain circumstances prohibit the court from garnishing your VA disability earnings. Garnishment of VA disability compensation is limited to the portion received in place of military retirement pay, not other benefits. There are various reasons a VA disability garnishment is denied, including when it causes an “undue hardship.” Veterans often wonder whether their VA disability compensation will be considered when determining child support or alimony obligations in court. The short answer is yes, but under many circumstances, a veteran’s service-connected VA disability compensation isn’t eligible for garnishment. Still, there are exceptions to this rule. While every veteran’s case is different, and there’s no definitive answer to how much of your VA disability compensation the court can consider, there are some general guidelines regarding VA garnishment and alimony payments.

VA Disability Appeal Success Rates Depend on Appeal Type and Evidence Quality: Success rates for VA appeals vary based on the type of appeal and the quality of evidence submitted. Higher-Level Reviews (HLRs) and Supplemental Claims both have an estimated 50% success rate, while Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) appeals average 38% success. Veterans should carefully evaluate their options and submit strong, probative evidence to increase their chances of approval. When you receive a VA rating decision, you have three primary avenues to consider if you disagree with the outcome: 1. Higher-Level Review (HLR): Choose this option if you believe the initial decision was incorrect but don’t have new evidence to present. A more experienced reviewer will re-evaluate your existing file to identify any errors. 2. Supplemental Claim: If you possess new and relevant evidence that wasn’t part of your original claim, this is your path. By submitting this additional information, the VA will reassess your claim, potentially leading to a favorable decision. 3. Board Appeal: If you’re seeking a review by a Veterans Law Judge, this is the route. You can opt for a direct review of your existing evidence, submit new evidence, or request a hearing. Each choice has implications for the timeline and outcome of your appeal. It’s crucial to act within one-year from the date of your VA rating decision to initiate any of these appeals. As of now one in two veterans will get a successful VA HLR decision so 50% Same with Supplemental claims. If you plan on filing a claim below here are the forms to file your claim for an initial claim or request for an increase, file a supplemental claim or a higher level review below. 21-526 Ez - https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-f... 20-0995 - https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-f... 20-0996 - https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba... As always we want to make sure you know that there are a few ways to file a VA disability claim below: Online - https://www.va.gov/disability/file-di... Mailing in forms mail to: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CLAIMS INTAKE CENTER PO BOX 4444 JANESVILLE, WI 53547-4444 or Fax to: TOLL FREE: 844-531-7818 & 248-524-4260 (Utilized for Foreign Claimants) File Your Claim In-person at your local regional VA office - https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefit... Do Your Intent to file online or Call 1-800-827-1000 Download The VA App Today - https://mobile.va.gov/appstore We thank you to everyone who takes the time to watch this episode and hope this helps you. Thank you for your service to our Country! 👥Hosts: Veterans Claim Servants https://www.veteransclaimservants.com/ 🤝Connect: Veterans Claim Servants: Instagram: / veteransclaimservantsusa Facebook: / veteransclaimservants TikTok: / veteransclaimservants Email: Info@veteransclaimservants.com 🩺 NEXUS LETTERS: MENTAL HEALTH Dr. Prashant Sharma - Psychiatrist 📧 Email: prashant.sharma.vcs@concisepsych.com Dr. Luis Lopez - Psychologist 📧 Email: phd.lw.lopez@gmail.com MUSCULOSKELETAL Quality Nexus Letters 📧 Email: qualityhealthgroupllc@yahoo.com MENTAL HEALTH COURSE By Dr. Prashant (Board Certified Psychiatrist): Take control of your mental health https://www.concisepsych.com/missionr... use code: “VCS” for 10% off Our Mission and Vision: To Provide Resources, Education, and the information you need to get the benefits that you deserve and have earned. DISCLAIMER: Veterans Claim Servants is not affiliated with the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Veterans Claim Servants is not an accredited VSO claims agent or attorney. This information and education does not guarantee a va disability rating at all nor a rating this is just educational information that can give you the information you need to succeed. Veterans Claim Servants is a Education based consulting company that is not holding itself out as a representative of veterans in any capacity with any government agency of any kind. We are not advisers, claims agents, veteran service officers, medical/mental health professionals or VA representatives and do not represent anyone before the VA. These videos are for educational/informational purposes only, and anyone watching these videos understands that the information is for these purposes only and it is not to be solely relied upon for the Veterans Affairs compensation process as it is only a broad and general overview of the VA claims process. While it is possible to maximize your benefits, it’s solely your responsibility to become educated on the VA disability compensation claims process. It is imperative that you conduct your own research.

Definition and Legal Basis: Continuity of symptomatology allows veterans to establish service connection for a chronic condition under 38 CFR § 3.303(b) by proving symptoms began during service and continued after discharge. This method applies specifically to chronic diseases listed under 38 CFR § 3.309(a), such as arthritis, without requiring a formal diagnosis during service. Evidence Requirements: Veterans must demonstrate (#1) symptoms were noted during service or within the presumptive period, (#2) symptoms continued post-service without significant gaps, and (#3) the current disability matches the ongoing symptoms. Medical records, lay evidence, and personal statements play critical roles in filling documentation gaps. Proving Continuity of Symptoms Over Time with Examples: Examples like arthritis, back pain, and tinnitus show how veterans can successfully prove ongoing symptoms through medical records, post-service treatment, and lay evidence, even without an initial in-service diagnosis. These examples emphasize the importance of consistent medical history and symptom tracking. We thank you to everyone who takes the time to watch this episode and hope this helps you. Thank you for your service to our Country! 👥Hosts: Veterans Claim Servants https://www.veteransclaimservants.com/ 🤝Connect: Veterans Claim Servants: Instagram: / veteransclaimservantsusa Facebook: / veteransclaimservants TikTok: / veteransclaimservants Email: Info@veteransclaimservants.com 🩺 NEXUS LETTERS: MENTAL HEALTH Dr. Prashant Sharma - Psychiatrist 📧 Email: prashant.sharma.vcs@concisepsych.com Dr. Luis Lopez - Psychologist 📧 Email: phd.lw.lopez@gmail.com MUSCULOSKELETAL Quality Nexus Letters 📧 Email: qualityhealthgroupllc@yahoo.com MENTAL HEALTH COURSE By Dr. Prashant (Board Certified Psychiatrist): Take control of your mental health https://www.concisepsych.com/missionr... use code: “VCS” for 10% off Our Mission and Vision: To Provide Resources, Education, and the information you need to get the benefits that you deserve and have earned. DISCLAIMER: Veterans Claim Servants is not affiliated with the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Veterans Claim Servants is not an accredited VSO claims agent or attorney. This information and education does not guarantee a va disability rating at all nor a rating this is just educational information that can give you the information you need to succeed. Veterans Claim Servants is a Education based consulting company that is not holding itself out as a representative of veterans in any capacity with any government agency of any kind. We are not advisers, claims agents, veteran service officers, medical/mental health professionals or VA representatives and do not represent anyone before the VA. These videos are for educational/informational purposes only, and anyone watching these videos understands that the information is for these purposes only and it is not to be solely relied upon for the Veterans Affairs compensation process as it is only a broad and general overview of the VA claims process. While it is possible to maximize your benefits, it’s solely your responsibility to become educated on the VA disability compensation claims process. It is imperative that you conduct your own research.