The VA Decoded.
The VA system is complex — by regulation, not by accident. We have been through it — filed the claims, navigated the denials, and reached 100% P&T — and now we are putting everything we learned in one place so you do not have to figure it out alone.
This site is one resource — not the only one. Always consult an accredited VSO, attorney, or medical professional for your specific situation. Do your due diligence.
Everything You Need In One Place
No government jargon. No paid consultants. Clear, step-by-step guidance written by veterans who have been through the system.
How VA Disability Ratings Actually Work
The combined ratings formula is not addition. Learn how the VA calculates your final rating and why 60% + 40% does not equal 100%.
Read Guide →Building a Strong Disability Claim
What to include, what to avoid, and how to document conditions the way VA raters look for. DBQs, nexus letters, and buddy statements explained.
Read Guide →Appealing a VA Denial — Your 3 Options
Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or BVA — each lane has different rules, timelines, and odds. We break down when to use each.
Read Guide →TDIU: Getting Paid at 100% Without a 100% Rating
Total Disability Individual Unemployability lets qualifying veterans receive 100% compensation even with a lower rating. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Read Guide →Permanent & Total (P&T) Status Explained
P&T protects your rating from future reductions and includes benefits like CHAMPVA, base access, and dependent education assistance.
Read Guide →Navigating VA Healthcare from Day One
How to enroll, get referrals, use the Community Care Program, and get appointments that do not take 6 months.
Read Guide →Requesting Your Military & VA Records
DD-214, service treatment records, VA C-File — each requires a different form and process. We walk you through each one.
Read Guide →The C&P Exam: What to Know & How to Prepare
The exam that shapes your rating. Know what to expect, how to describe your symptoms effectively, and what not to downplay before you walk in.
Read Guide →The Caluza Triangle
The three elements every claim must prove — current diagnosis, in-service event, and nexus. Master this framework and you understand how to build any claim and read any denial.
Read Guide →Key CFRs & M21-1 Manual
The federal regulations and internal VA manual that govern every rating decision. Know the rules the rater is using — and recognize when they may not have been applied correctly.
Read Guide →Case Law Every Veteran Should Know
Court decisions that set binding legal standards — from benefit of the doubt to functional loss to lay evidence. Cite these in appeals to strengthen your position.
Read Guide →Benefits for Dependents & Surviving Spouses
Adding dependents, DIC, Survivors Benefit Plan, and CHAMPVA — a full breakdown for families of veterans.
Read Guide →PACT Act: Burn Pits, Toxic Exposure & Secondary Claims
The largest VA benefits expansion in decades. Burn pit presumptives, Agent Orange new locations, and how to use a PACT Act condition to build well-supported secondary claims.
Read Guide →PTSD Disability Claims: The Complete Deep Dive
Stressor categories, rating criteria, C&P exam strategies, secondary conditions, MST rules, and how to address denials — everything about PTSD claims in one place.
Read Guide →Sleep Apnea: Ratings, Secondary Connections & Medical Evidence
The complete guide to sleep apnea VA claims — rating criteria, CPAP evidence, and the medical literature linking sleep apnea to migraines, anxiety, and depression as secondary conditions.
Read Guide →DBQ Reference: Every VA Form That Determines Your Rating
The complete list of Disability Benefits Questionnaires with links. Know what the examiner fills out, what gets measured, and how your private doctor can complete one on your behalf.
Read Guide →Secondary Service Connection Explained
How a service-connected condition can connect new claims under 38 CFR § 3.310 — the difference between "caused by" and "aggravated by", the medical-nexus standard, and which condition pairings rest on strong versus weak evidence.
Read Guide →From First Claim to Full Rating
Most veterans do not know where to start. Here is the high-level roadmap — every step has a dedicated guide.
Your Effective Date Starts the Clock
The date you file your claim — your "effective date" — determines how far back your back pay goes. Filing correctly and on time helps ensure you receive the full compensation you have earned.
Gather Your Evidence
Service treatment records, private medical records, buddy statements, nexus letters, and DBQs. The strength of your evidence package determines everything.
File Your Claim
Submit via VA.gov, mail, or in person. Include all conditions — adding a condition later generally restarts the effective date clock for those conditions.
Attend Your C&P Exam
The Compensation & Pension exam is where your rating is largely determined. Know what to expect, how to describe your symptoms, and — critically — what not to downplay.
Review & Appeal
If the rating is wrong, file an appeal promptly. You have one year from the decision date. Choose the right lane based on your situation.
Why 60 + 40 ≠ 100%
The VA uses "whole person" math — not simple addition. Understanding this is the first step to understanding your combined rating.
| Rating | Monthly Pay (Alone) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
How Combined Ratings Are Calculated
This is why many veterans with multiple serious conditions are rated at 80–90%. TDIU may be the answer — see our TDIU guide.