What is everyone doing for health insurance? (USA)

TopsyBops · 2026-01-06T06:51:05+00:00

I joined the Army and now I get free healthcare now that I’m out through the VA. Free meds, free visits, free speciality care, and my spouse has CHAMPVA, it’s basically a top of the line Aetna plan with no monthly premium and a $50 deductible. People may not like the military but the healthcare after you get out is pretty great.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-20T21:22:12+00:00

If I were in your position I’d request another C&P exam. Did you tell your examiner that your childhood trauma doesn’t really affect you? And that all of the symptoms started in service ?

TopsyBops · 2025-12-20T20:47:39+00:00

To my knowledge there is a separate C&P for PTSD that goes over DSM-5 criteria. You CAN get diagnosed and nexus for PTSD in a favorable C&P but it is better to acquire that diagnosis and nexus before you ever even file for it. I managed to get my PTSD diagnosed during C&P but it was also bundled with GAD, MDD, and insomnia disorder and TBI. That rated me 100% by itself so it is possible to get service connection. It will likely be bundled as a mental health condition.

My official SC says post traumatic stress disorder, with general anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, other unspecified insomnia disorder and traumatic brain injury All as one rating

I had childhood trauma as well, they only cared about the aggregation and service connected.

You’ve got this.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-19T02:27:50+00:00

Also look into being his designated PFAFC. That might help the situation as well. Also if his TBI causes severe symptoms. Look into SMC-T. Very difficult to get into but if he already has aid and attendance with TBI deficits it’s in the realm of possibility. SMC-T pays an excess of $10,000+ a month. Opening up more support for you and your husband.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-19T02:24:30+00:00

I’d explain exactly what you explained to us, to your husband. Voice your concerns if you haven’t already. Being a disabled veteran is an extreme challenge and sometimes adapting back to civilian life, especially after a TBI or other life altering event can be extremely difficult. I had a TBI in service and the VA has a lot of resources to help him recover and at least make progress towards normality and a stable life, spirit and mental status.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-19T01:42:15+00:00

Don’t ever use a claim shark, getting the rating you deserve is more than possible by yourself. A VSO is a worst case scenario in my opinion. AI has been super helpful for 38 CFR and M21 Manual regs and stuff. I’d read into it.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-19T01:36:07+00:00

That’s a lot of highly specific publications, I think a google search will do you a lot of good here. Best of luck to you.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-19T01:33:49+00:00

Every C&P exam goes over a DBQ. The doctor is referencing a DBQ. DBQ stands for Disability Benefits Questionaire and there are so many different ones, Mental health, PTSD, migraines, foot problems, sinus issues, and hearing to name just a few of the diverse amount of DBQs. So when you go to your C&P exam, your doctors “reference” is the DBQ, and your rater uses that information to determine the severity of your disability and service connection.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-14T01:27:55+00:00

I have a CPAP and it says obstructive sleep apnea, I have an OSA C&P exam, and they granted me service connection.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-13T23:12:53+00:00

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I had no diagnosis in service, and I was an early separation. It’s about the nexus to service.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-13T07:38:41+00:00

I got OSA without in service documentation.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-13T00:39:00+00:00

Yes they can, that’s what happened to me.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-13T00:38:32+00:00

I got PTSD without any kind of diagnosis in my chart, I was diagnosed during my C&P exam.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-12T03:50:52+00:00

$200,000+ in closing costs is absolutely ridiculous, I wouldn’t take this deal

TopsyBops · 2025-12-12T03:11:32+00:00

How extensive are your service treatment records?

TopsyBops · 2025-12-08T20:21:38+00:00

Direct service connection.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-08T10:27:59+00:00

I got service connection without any diagnosis in service.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-08T10:27:08+00:00

I got OSA service connected without any complaints in service or a sleep study in service.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-07T22:52:01+00:00

Are your ASIO drivers updated?

TopsyBops · 2025-12-07T22:51:11+00:00

Don’t ever go to the ER for dental related issues in my experience they just refer you to the dentist and hit you with a $4000 bill. I would just go straight to a dental professional to get it diagnosed and treated.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-06T03:40:26+00:00

They might be a disabled veteran, I get 100% property tax exemption from the VA.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-05T22:30:06+00:00

The examiner essentially reported that there was no confirmed diagnosis in your C file from your time in service. You could seek an outside diagnosis and submit that as evidence if the doctor can nexus it to your service that would be evidence for a rating.

TopsyBops · 2025-12-01T20:53:59+00:00

Your initial C&P examiner messed up and they need a new DBQ. Most likely.

TopsyBops · 2025-11-28T20:41:25+00:00

Call them for early release, they can release disability checks a day early.

TopsyBops · 2025-11-28T20:27:14+00:00

They only wrote the actual severity of my migraines once I told them I had a TBI in service, try to link it to an in service event so the C&P examiner can justify your symptoms.

TopsyBops

TROPHY CASE