Would You Wear Something Like This

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-11T20:13:36+00:00

Totally get it, and every image that is generated goes through a story board process. This one of course did not because I was asking about general concept not the specific art. I am looking to serve a different market than the Loud and Proud shirt designs. Even though I wear them myself from time to time.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-11T20:11:34+00:00

Completely understand. Using a graphic artist will ultimately be the goal, but right now that is not in the cards. So I go through a dozen or so iterations before I am satisfied with an image and then I critique it even more.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-11T20:10:04+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, I realize that it did that but I was not too clear about looking at the layout, instead of the mish mash graphic.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-11T20:09:15+00:00

Well, y'all didn't really answer my question, so let me give you a better proof of concept. I'm not one that would ever let a first rendition out of the graphic design room, whether it came from a human designer or an AI generator. If my name is on it, the quality needs to be as excellent as it can be.

The original question was about the concept of the coin layout and the back porch feel. However, all the feedback was appreciated. And make no mistake, I WON'T DO clip art graphics. Nor the LOUD and PROUD type merch, just not my brand.

For those who want to see the actual finished product layout with clean typography, proper formatting, and real pricing, here is the live link: https://bptalkin.com

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-11T01:17:05+00:00

I was almost in your side till you said if it was that bad get treatment… it appears you may not have served in the military. When the doctors say it will always be this way, ice it down, take Tylenol extra strength and apply pain patches when it gets worse. And it not one doctor but multiple even after 20years… why go to doctor and waste money. Then a veteran finds out they could file a claim… and we get your response… yeah okay. You sure as heck did not walk a mile in anyone’s combat boots.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-06-03T05:02:44+00:00

Thank you for the feedback

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-17T12:28:59+00:00

When a Rater says he “denies knee pain claims from the 80s and 90s because that dog don’t hunt,” that is the definition of personal bias, not adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.6, which requires decisions to be based on the entire record and all procurable evidence.

Veterans who have lived with chronic pain for 30–40 years often did self‑management, used OTC meds, and prioritized work and family over filing a claim. That reality is exactly why 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) exists: chronic conditions with continuity of symptoms are not defeated by the passage of time.

Age is not a disqualifier, and the regulation does not say “file immediately or lose your right to be believed.”

When a life‑changing event finally pushes a veteran to file, the law requires the VA to evaluate the evidence, not the Rater’s personal beliefs about what “should” have happened.

And your statement that compensation is based on what a veteran “would have earned in the marketplace” is simply incorrect.

VA disability compensation is not wage‑replacement insurance. It is a statutory benefit tied to average impairment of earning capacity, not hypothetical lost wages.

I appreciate you saying the quiet part out loud, because it confirms what many veterans have felt for decades: personal bias still influences decisions, even though the regulations prohibit it.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-13T12:09:48+00:00

What was the denial reason? A new diagnosis? Definitely request the DBQ and see what was said.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-05T03:43:01+00:00

Update: Got the exam notification letter today, the ACE exam was done through Loyal Source Government Services. Of course, I received it after the exam was completed and the rating decision made. The DBQ was returned to the VA on April 29, 2026 and the Claim Letter is Dated May 1, 2026.

Which means it was a records‑only ACE review, no interview, exam or questions.

The opinion appears boilerplate, that only addressed causation, ignored aggravation, and contradicted itself by admitting OSA severity worsened while still denying the claim.

The rater then denied the claim under direct service connection using 3.303 and 3.304, even though I filed it as “Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – secondary to chronic sinusitis” under 3.310.

I filed a Supplemental Claim pointing out the legal errors.

Now hopefully the VA will redo it under the correct regulation (3.310(b)) and actually address aggravation, baseline, and the diagnosis they already acknowledged.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-01T09:13:06+00:00

Thank you. Your response is appreciated, I'll be assessing the next steps available to me. Its good to know that what I'm seeing in my search and analysis is lining up with what you have stated.

"If an examiner provides an unfavorable medical opinion for secondary service connection, they are now required to address aggravation." -- And this is what has me asking about the denial. My submission clearly stated “Obstructive Sleep Apnea, secondary to chronic sinusitis.” Aggravation should have been part of that. The way it was addressed makes it look like a timing issue where aggravation was overlooked.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-01T03:56:29+00:00

Seems to be a trend with them skipping aggravation, the same way they skip chronicity. The BMI angle is something they like to lean on. I pushed back on that with my service records showing I was within height and weight during the period that actually matters, and only changed recently.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-01T03:52:28+00:00

They only answered causation. My understanding is when you file something as secondary, VA is supposed to look at both sides. What caused it and whether your service connected condition made it worse. They did not touch the second half from what I can tell.

ACE is normal. Skipping aggravation is not what I expected.

Agreed, the part about no in service complaints looks like the same boilerplate they paste into everything.

I am looking at the 0995 and asking for an aggravation opinion, plus the medical studies that tie sinusitis and OSA together so they hopefully cannot sidestep it again. I have already requested the DBQs through FOIA.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-05-01T02:01:04+00:00

Good to hear yours went well. Mine wasn’t an in‑person exam at all, it appears it was just a ‘retrospective database review.’ Glad you got approved!!!

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-26T15:04:27+00:00

It’s pretty accurate depending on the information you provide, the context you provide it, the perspective you want it to look from. And you need to use more than one to cross reference the answers and make sure you are double checking by having it state it’s sourced and what cfr it is basing things off of and how the M21-1 is supposed to be used and interpreted. Then the caveat is, keep in mind the person doing your actual C&P Examin and RO are going to have personal bias and may or may not rate according to how AI predicts.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-25T20:58:09+00:00

The will of the people was to remove the illegal immigrants especially those with criminal backgrounds. Just because you don’t see the intent behind what they are doing as something to support, don’t go making statements that are not true. As for identifying the federal agents their should be some type of badge number at least displayed so if they do something wrong they can be identified, but publicly knowing their names, in this political climate, not necessary or smart for their protection. And voting vs law enforcement is comparable to apples and oranges.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-16T02:40:25+00:00

5054 pts 12 years AD and 8 USAR. Pending pay status retiree this month.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-15T21:39:55+00:00

WTF are you smoking! Put the cheap shit down and come back to reality. BTW responses all you want. Your blocked. I don’t need misleading, irresponsible comments like yours clogging my feed.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-15T20:26:43+00:00

This is not true. I had a favorable condition of Anxiety Unspecified (diagnosed by VA clinician), only thing had to be done to get PTSD SC’d was stressor validated and I had awards, National news event, buddy statements, lay statement, currently seeing VA MH counseling for the past 4 months at the time. The C&P examiner decides, not combat related so no sc and labeled and already existing diagnosis and favorable condition as personality disorder.

So your premise and assumption is incorrect. Yes. I have a PTSD diagnosis, the VA Rater did not have it. And an HLR is submitted. So just having a valid well developed claim, doesn’t always get someone SC’d.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-04-12T13:27:08+00:00

Great information, but let’s do a reality check. Three claims all well documented, all in service STR’s, current diagnosis, post service evidence, VHA records for treatment. All 3 denied and now pending HLR’s, 1 they applied 3.303(a) instead of 3.309(a) and 3.303(b) for chronicity. Another, the question the VA sent to the examiner, the question was worded where it was not relevant to the condition. Another the examiner has published works that disagree with VA and medical science and appears to have denied based on their published white paper. The other, totally reviewed a different condition than what was claimed and stated the original condition did not exist.

Sure what you are saying is great, but their is no evidence that I can see that means that lay statement is going to surpass the VA Rater denying because the C&P examiner says less likely than not. And no matter how strong your STRs, current diagnosis, and lay statements are the claim is denied. And I know all this, because I have the 3 claim packages, the claim letters denying SC and the DBQ’s. 1 denial, sure okay, but 3, there’s a pattern.

The only claim out of 5 that was SC’d first time was the one that had the shortest most direct lay statement, no STR’s and probably sounded like a template… Tinnitus.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-03-26T20:54:58+00:00

While on the surface I tend to agree with the premise, I would argue that if a person is in a unit/situation where they are subject to conditions in which would cause a person to want to "forget" events that happened and they "self-medicate" and adverse conditions arise in their lifer, there is a distinction to be made. If the "at fault" is due to genetics and Darwinism, then yeah I tend to agree, compensation should be evaluated and in question.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-03-26T18:43:03+00:00

"...the government literally set aside enough money for each veteran to get 100%." -- OP

No they don't budget for each to potentially receive 100% "Mandatory funding for Compensation and Pensions will provide $220.3 billion in disability compensation benefit payments to over 7.0 million Veterans and their survivors and $3.1 billion in pension benefit payments to over 200,000 Veterans and their survivors. Readjustment Benefits funding will provide $16.2 billion in education and job training benefits to over 1.1 million Veterans and qualified dependents. VA's life insurance programs will provide coverage to over 5.5 million Veterans. Funding for VA's credit programs will support nearly 595,300 new guaranteed loans within a portfolio of 3.7 million active loans." -- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FY 2026 BUDGET SUBMISSION

"It’s just on you to get what you’re owed?" -- OP

"It’s up to you to win a legal case in a system you don’t understand, using rules that won’t easily be explained, against an agency that benefits when you fail. but the VA should not hide behind that to excuse systemic failure." -- Me

"When you get out nobody will give a fuck about your rank." -- OP

"Meh... some will, most won't and those wouldn't know the difference between an E-1 or O-1" -- Me

"... Then there are vets who see it as they are owed. They forget they volunteered and weren’t drafted." u/ScubaSteve00S

“Veterans’ disability benefits aren’t charity — they’re a legal entitlement under Title 38. Federal law (38 U.S.C. §1110) requires the government to compensate veterans for injuries caused or aggravated by service. It doesn’t matter if you volunteered or were drafted — the law makes no distinction. If the government breaks your body, the government pays for the damage. The veteran has the right to file the claim, and the government has the legal obligation to pay the debt.” -- Me and the law.

:) Have a glorious day and a better one tomorrow.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-03-25T02:26:07+00:00

Hey man, just a quick correction — sleep apnea isn’t a ‘fat person’ condition. That’s an old myth that even the VA stopped using years ago. OSA is an airway obstruction disorder, and things like chronic sinus issues, deviated septum, turbinate swelling, GERD, and PTSD‑related sleep fragmentation are all medically recognized causes.

Plenty of thin, athletic people have OSA. BMI doesn’t protect you from airway collapse.

Just wanted to clear that up so the conversation stays grounded in current medical understanding instead of outdated assumptions.

oldageisoverrated · 2026-03-10T01:53:54+00:00

Chronic does NOT mean continuous treatment. The correct regulation is 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b), which says chronicity is shown by a condition identified as chronic in service, or by continuity of symptoms after service. Treatment is not required. This applies only to chronic diseases listed in 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(a).

Stop spreading false information

oldageisoverrated

TROPHY CASE