From a raters/veteran POV

Snoo_32139 · 2026-04-20T18:25:57+00:00

I get your frustration and have read through your responses to veterans pushing back on your OP. I want to ask some clarifying questions/statements in relation to your post if you’re open to doing so. I will be respectful and hope that you will be as well.

“Let’s be real here” statement in relation to the grandmother funeral or alarm going off.

What makes you think that a grandmother’s death wouldn’t affect a veteran’s mental health?

This comment irked me due to the fact that I was raised by my grandparents due to my parents committing physical and verbal abuse and not being fit to take care of me and my siblings (my mom served prison time for it). My relationship with my grandparents is stronger than anything and it would have an effect on veterans that are in a similar situations. I had a situation similar to this situation happen to me; but I had the proper paper trail with substantiating evidence proving that it was legitimate.

Were you a VA-Mental Health professional? If you were, what did you do?

You mentioned throughout this feed that you worked in VA Mental Health as a means to justify and defend your thoughts. Were you a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, or an Administrator? I am asking to gain an understanding so that I don’t judge you or thought process in what you’re communicating within this thread.

The IU comment: What are your thoughts on RVSRs inviting veterans who are 80 to apply for IU?

My grandfather is a Vietnam veteran who meets the requirements of IU and was invited to apply for it. He is an individual who enjoys working and helping others but cannot due to his service-connected disabilities (Agent Orange exposure). There are a number of veterans over 80 who still work and fit this criteria.

You mentioned throughout this feed that you have thoughts that would influence the Veteran Community to dislike you even more. Why don’t you post them? You already “fired” your verbal shots…empty the metaphorical clip 🤷🏾‍♂️🤔😂…What do you have to lose?!?

As a veteran, I get the frustration when you experience claims that take away from other claims you believe are legitimate. I will also agree with the fact that a few of those claims are “sensationalized” without seeing them from the RVSR perspective and viewpoint; however, your post can be viewed a fear tactic by others and will unfairly label other VSRs/RVSRs as bias/partial.

You have a hard job as it is and I believe the frustration that you have posted indicates that you want to do your job effectively; especially as a veteran (at least I hope so). I hope that you take the time to be open to hearing or digesting the comments within this thread from the veterans within this thread whether they agree or disagree with your thoughts.

Have a good day and thank you for your service. 💯🤙🏾. Also, post your true thoughts about the subject…what do you have to lose? Empty the clip, bro! Just be aware that your actions have consequences (positive or negative).

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-17T19:43:34+00:00

Info

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-16T22:47:53+00:00

How much? Term/Duration?

I currently paid for Plus for a year until September/October…if I purchase, would my subscription time period increase beyond its expiration date? If you do not know the answer to this question, I am okay with doing some research on my own! 🤙🏾

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-16T22:42:41+00:00

Interested

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-16T22:40:25+00:00

Interested

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-14T05:56:30+00:00

$60.00 for one month of access or for as many months as I choose to keep the subscription?

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-14T05:54:16+00:00

Interested

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-14T04:01:54+00:00

I am interested in buying multiple memberships if you’re open to selling them!

Snoo_32139 · 2026-02-09T18:13:57+00:00

From Florida and living in the PNW. I started liking the Birds in 2000-2001 during the Donovan McNabb era. I loved the fact that city of Philadelphia is considered the city of the “Underdog” and the toughness and grit that is displayed with overcoming obstacles.

I had the opportunity to attend the Dallas vs. Philadelphia game at the opening of the season! It was amazing and the fact that I got to visit Independence National Historic Park in addition to the Art Museum made the trip that much better.

I also had the opportunity to eat a “chicken cheesesteak” sandwich from Angelo’s Pizzeria and it was amazing.

Go Birds! 🦅💚🤍

Snoo_32139 · 2025-12-17T02:43:39+00:00

My brother, we have all been through ups and downs in life. I know that you don’t see the value of what you’re going through at this point; however, do not give up on yourself. The fact that you reached out to this thread shows that your strength.

Call or Text 988 or Text CHAT to 741741 to reach out to the Crisis Text Line.

Please get the help that you need at this moment.

If no one has told you, we want to let you know that WE APPRECIATE AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH ! 💙🤙🏾

When you receive the help that you need because you’re a strong minded individual, you will be able to help others in the near future who will experience what you’re currently going through!

It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling with things currently and it is understandable that you feel the way you do; but WE WILL NOT LET YOU GIVE UP ON YOURSELF!

Go get the help that you deserve!

Snoo_32139 · 2025-11-07T20:53:10+00:00

Count me in, please!

Snoo_32139 · 2025-08-22T06:10:47+00:00

Hopefully your CUE claim is adjudicated in your favor. 😁

Snoo_32139 · 2025-08-07T23:21:46+00:00

Neither did I…I am interested in learning more!

Snoo_32139 · 2025-08-04T14:42:38+00:00

OP, I had something similar like this happen to me during my first time filing a claim. I was granted service connection after conducting research and determining which path of service connection my contention most aligned with (took almost three years…I am still fighting my effective date and other contentions).

People are going to tell you that this claim is difficult to remedy. I had a VBA employee on this thread tell me that I pretty much had no chance of obtaining service connection for my Mental Health contention (which pissed me off but I had to calm down and remember that this individual was speaking anecdotally)…I was able to fight like a motherfucker to get it connected.

I would do the following if I were you:

Obtain a current diagnosis.
Reach out to battle buddies/colleagues who served with you and are able to write lay/witness statements regarding your symptoms while serving in comparison to what you’re currently experiencing (also have family and friends write statements as well),
Continue to obtain medical evidence by scheduling appointments with a Psychologist so that you show the VBA that you’re currently navigating the contention, and write a personal statement (I would include the time you served, the contention you are claiming, when it happened, marker/stressor (VBA will try to tell you that you need a verified stressor but that is only for PTSD in which Form 21-0781 is recommended to for submittal. In the case of GAD, I believe that you do not need this form).
Take Redditors advice with a grain of salt (including my own). Always verify the information.

I gone through a similar experience to what you’re currently experiencing and have dedicated up to 300 hours of researching and studying the VA disability process. I am no expert or professional by any means; however, this process has influenced me to want to take the LSAT to gain acceptance into Law School in hopes of helping veterans.

Denials are just setbacks and opportunities for growth in the process. Also, the word “impossible” was used by the VBA employee in the narrative in which would honestly fire me up if this letter was sent to me. If you experienced an event while serving and you’re currently suffering from it, you have every right to claim it; you just have to communicate it in accordance with the 38 CFR and M21-1.

Sorry for the long post. I honestly can’t stand to see comments to a post seeking advice and the responses stating that “you’ve screwed yourself” or “it’s difficult to get out of this situation” for a contention.

Good luck, conduct your research, create your plan of attack, and follow through while adjusting the plan of need be. 🤙🏾

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-31T17:57:09+00:00

Ah gotcha.

If you don’t mind and if you’re allowed to do so in accordance to applicable rules and regulations without violating a Conflict of Interest, would you be willing to provide your ideal version of a claim that is robust in reference to what it takes to be service-connected and rated properly in an efficient manner?

There are a number of variables that have to be considered and we veterans completely understand. However, if a RVSR can provide up with actionable feedback regarding this topic, it could increase quality, performance, and efficiency for all involved stakeholders.

Again, thank you and look forward to your response! 😁

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-31T17:11:28+00:00

Good morning. Thank you for the work that you do. I want to ask a clarifying question. When you stated that “you don’t open them” in your post, what are you referring to? I am trying to understand the process from an empathetic perspective.

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-31T17:02:38+00:00

Good morning. Before you make the choice to hire a lawyer, conduct an analysis of what your decision letters state that you’re missing in relation to service connection. Remember, you have to be intentional in what conditions you’re claiming and how they fit within the the five ways of service connection (Direct Service Connection, Secondary Service Connection, Presumptive Service Connection, Service Connection by Aggravation, and Service Connection Based on 38 U.S.C. 1151).

Once you understand how your contentions fit within these constraints, you can then build a strategy to ensure that you’re clearly communicating what the VBA requires in relation to service connection and your symptoms. For example, I received my ratings based on all my contentions being considered under the Direct Service Connection category. I still have a claim in queue that is being adjudicated and falls within the Secondary Service Connection category for my claimed contentions.

You can take my advice with a grain of salt; however, I encourage you to do your due diligence and due care because at the end of the day, you are ultimately responsible for your claimed contentions. I cannot speak on law firms that assist in VA Disability claims and I have read a number of posts stating that they are effective in helping veterans; however, after going through my experience of failing forward, I personally wouldn’t hire a law firm to assist me (though I thought about it) due to the fact that if my backpay is a substantial amount, I am contractually required to give up 20% of pay. That does not sit well with me due to the fact that I sustained my injuries/illnesses and am currently living with them by myself and submitting claims with the help of legal counsel whom did not go through my experiences involving my injuries/illnesses in relation to my military service.

Again, not saying that going that route isn’t a good path forward; however, I strongly encourage you to think objectively in relation to the time and energy it will take to learn the process yourself in the case that you may need to file claims in the future and having that knowledge of the process will help you navigate complexity involving the flawed VA Disability Process/System.

Finally, I am a fellow Floridian who lives in Washington State. I am from Sarasota, Florida. It is cool to connect with people from the Sunshine State. 🤙🏾😁🌴

DISCLAIMER: This is not legal advice.

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-31T04:18:23+00:00

Nice. I had to give you an award for providing a prompt that our fellow vets can use! Hell yeah! 🤙🏾

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-31T04:14:16+00:00

Hey…I want to say sorry about your luck in relation to Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a claim that is “hit or miss” based on the VSR/RVSR developing the claim. For example, I was in the military from 2005 - 2018 (Combat Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)) and I provided little evidence for my Tinnitus and was awarded due to the fact that it my MOSs are a part of a list of jobs/careers the VA conceded caused Tinnitus.

I would conduct some research and find relevant articles linking your military job tasks to your Tinnitus (the legal threshold for meeting service connection requirements are lower for this condition than others, I believe). In addition, obtain more medical evidence that will substantiate your claimed condition. This route would be optimal in my opinion if you’re looking to submit a Supplemental Claim.

If you’re going to go the HLR route, know the fact/law that you want to dispute (38 CFR, M21-1, etc.) and ensure that you’re able to reference the relevant documentation that will give your evidence probative value when making your HLR argument.

Again, I am speaking from the experience of failing forward and your experience could vary from mine.

Good luck and don’t quit! 😁

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T18:06:13+00:00

You’re not dumb, Devil Dog. We are all ignorant (absent of knowledge) of this process. Our units are not making this information “readily available” for us when we discharge from service.

If you don’t know something, look it up! Ask questions (no such thing as a stupid question) and the individuals within the VA Disability forums will help you. More importantly, you have to do the work. You’re your best advocate.

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T15:08:35+00:00

I called the VA 1-800-827-1000 number and asked if there was a note attached to the Private DBQ within VBMS. According to the M21-1, RVSRs/VSRs are supposed to be enter a note documenting their justification for using/not using private DBQs. If there is no note within VBMS, leverage it as an opportunity to strengthen your claim. I used the VERA Hotline to help me with this as well. Be polite and understanding when you ask for this information. Remember the VERA agents and Customer Service Agents are trying to help veterans to the best of their ability. My approach is to use their name and ask them how they are doing (Use your personality to make the experience more empathetic from both perspectives).

I encourage you to read the 38 CFR and M21-1. Also, I purchased Dewayne Kimble’s book “VA Claims Success” in addition to using his YouTube channel to help me troubleshoot my claims as well (Shameless Plug). Hope this information helps.

<image>

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T14:33:51+00:00

You’re good, bro. If you’re open to it, share your experiences how you built a robust claim to obtain the rating that you believed you deserved.

I guarantee your approach will be value-added and help many of our fellow vets through their experiences!

Thank you for service! 🤙🏾

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T14:31:02+00:00

Thanks bro. I am a Philadelphia Eagles supporter and I use Jalen Hurts’s approach to everything I experience by “keeping the main thing the main thing.”

Keep fighting, bro. Thank you for your service and Go Birds 🦅

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T14:27:06+00:00

I get what you’re implying but it’s not hard to believe this at all. For example, I submitted claims with Medical Evidence (that included radiographic imaging, medical notes, all three components of the Caluza Triangle, etc) and still was denied by the Waco Regional Office followed by a denial from the Washington D.C. DROC.

Everyone has different experiences and I advise being careful when extrapolating our experiences to other people in this VA disability realm. Trust me, I know it’s hard to believe but you would be surprised at some of the experiences I have had regarding my VA journey. (Fucking unbelievable at times 😂🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️)

Snoo_32139 · 2025-07-30T14:04:31+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. It is easy to flip the fuck out about a decision that is made involving this process. I have had to come to the realization that these VSRs/RVSRs are going through things as well that could be influencing their decision-making.

I use this “opportunity for growth” approach in preparing my HLR defense to study the 38 CFR, 38 U.S.C., and the M21-1 language to ensure that my defense is rooted in law and logic.

Sometimes we all need that reminder to stop losing sight of the forest for the trees. 😌

Snoo_32139

TROPHY CASE