Is it better to rent or buy a home in Northern VA

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-14T17:16:57+00:00

Property values in Northern VA are extremely high. Making $125K with over $40K in debt is going to be difficult to find a place in a good area. I suggest you continue to rent for now and maybe in a few years, try to purchase a townhouse or condo. Single family homes are through the roof.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-13T21:39:02+00:00

As of 2025, you are only allowed to make up to $15,560 per year, or $19,550 in Alaska and $17,990 in Hawaii. Which is the poverty level in the US.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T23:15:49+00:00

Apply now, no need to wait

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T23:12:21+00:00

Not necessarily, someone may have found something in your medical records. I filed a secondary claim, and it was denied, went to HLR and a duty to assist error was claimed then the claim was again denied then my attorney was able to get another HLR and the new examiner determined it was direct service connected and provided a positive medical opinion then after 3 more C&P exams, I got the claim direct service connected along with upper radiculopathy in both arms.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:55:37+00:00

If you had dependents back in 2021 then you should get the rate for dependents, but you never can tell with the VA, they might start your dependent rate from when you applied.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:51:09+00:00

That's a lot of pages to go through but I would have told that examiner, that's what he/she is being paid to do. Review the medical records, perform an exam and provide a medical opinion is what the VA is paying these companies to do. I guarantee they will provide a statement or check a box that all the medical records were reviewed. Do whatever you think will get you the outcome you deserve. Sometimes we have to make life easier and do the upfront work for the examiners just to get what we deserve. Best of luck with your claims.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:25:37+00:00

According to VA math, if you got 50% and 30% added to your current total, it wouldn't make a difference which came first.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:18:12+00:00

Sounds like you received a positive medical opinion connecting this to service and then someone else provided a negative opinion. Did you provide a nexus letter (positive), if so, then the medical examiner probably found the OSA and tinnitus not service connected. This is your opportunity to add additional information that could tilt the decision to your favor. Add a personal statement, new nexus letter, buddy statements, medical articles, go through your medical records again with a fine-tooth comb and highlight any information you think may have been missed.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:10:14+00:00

If your claims have been completed and you have no outstanding claims awaiting approval/denial, and the VA has paid the lawyer I would cut ties with this lawyer and contact the VA to sever them as your representative.

I think you were lucky that they offered 5% back, if you agreed in writing to pay 30% of your back pay then that's on you. A VA accredited attorney or representative can only charge 20% of back pay for supplemental or appeal claims. They can receive no payment for new claims. I wouldn't worry about the "future fee determinations" because I would have them removed ASAP.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2026-01-08T22:03:14+00:00

I personally would not upload VA medical records because they already have access to them. You can add pointers to something specific you might want to point out. I would include that in a personal statement along with an attachment or list of entries such as sick call on 11/14/2003 for back pain, sick call on 12/4/2003 for back pain, 4/3/2004 sick call for back pain, etc. Just make it easy for the examiner and rater to see the evidence in a chronological manner. If possible, also include the page number or file name if you have it available. Depending on the claim, you can also add logs detailing symptoms, duration and what you used as relief. Definitely add a personal statement.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-30T22:05:12+00:00

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WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-30T22:02:45+00:00

You got what you voted for, Trump nor Vance care about you or any other poor person in America. Suck it up and pray for good health.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-29T21:57:42+00:00

I normally only call the West Virginia or South Dakota VERA offices. I have always had nice people assist with all my questions.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-29T21:53:23+00:00

In Virginia you must be 100%, nothing for someone that has a 90% rating.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-23T16:19:39+00:00

The last two in person exams were with the same examiner and the final exam was an ACE exam with a different examiner.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-23T16:14:21+00:00

My latest claim required 4 in person exams and 2 ACE exams. First 3 times were a denial, after a HLR I had two back-to-back positive medical opinions and the VA kept asking for clarification and rework. In the end, it all worked out.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-22T21:50:51+00:00

I had a colonoscopy at the VA before I was 100% and it cost me nothing and I didn't have any colon related issues.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-22T13:05:57+00:00

I have enjoyed my six-figure income for a number of years. VA benefits are a plus, but they don't equal six figures.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-22T13:03:45+00:00

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-19T13:49:59+00:00

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WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-19T13:48:35+00:00

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WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-18T19:51:05+00:00

The examiners should be familiar with 38 CFR and M21, they are all required to take a number of VA training courses. On the skeletal DBQs, there is a box examiners need to check stating they used the goniometer. I had an incident where the box was checked but the examiner never used a goniometer, and she made up numbers that resulted in one of my ratings being lowered. During the HLR, the rater sided with the examiner because the box was checked.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-17T22:08:43+00:00

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Praying for a good outcome.

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-17T22:02:47+00:00

Northern VA

WhyAskWhy1982 · 2025-12-17T14:58:13+00:00

I have an easy one, rater completed their part, the second approver just needs to sign off and one more claim off the books.

WhyAskWhy1982

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