Military Transition Perspective: Veterans seeking Service-Connected Disabilities [3 Questions Answered]

What can I do, prior to my service departure, so I can more accurately receive a Service Connected VA Disability Rating?

-Service Member

I get asked this question so often that I wanted to write a quick article on it to help you and those around you.

[Disclaimer: This isn't advice. This is my perspective on my transition from Military to Civilian in dealing with the VA disability process. Also, don't share your medical info with me on this thread. If you'd like to discuss your increase, please PM for details on next steps]

My service began in the late 90s as an Enlisted Infantryman and then shifted, via ROTC, to Commissioning and being selected for MEDEVAC until 2014. Over those years, like most of you, I gained some boo boos that I had sought more medical help and some other boo boos that I didn't.

However, as I was in my final few years of service I was very fortunate to receive mentorship from a civilian contractor I worked with. Looking back, it was such an easy idea and I'm shocked at how many Veterans aren't so lucky to have heard this simple tip prior to their service departure.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE as of Feb 1, 2023...Disregard the paragraph below. I now help you through this Service Connection process...I call it Phase 2.

My mentor told me to schedule a medical summary review with my doctors. The medical summary review, from his perspective, was me (the patient) going through my medical records with my doctor so that my doctor could create a table of contents at the front of my medical records.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE as of Feb 1, 2023...Disregard the paragraph above. I now help you through this Service Connection process...I call it Phase 2.

Think about the books you see around you in bookstores, they have a table of contents so you quickly review what you're looking for and know directly where to go within the book. So, quite simply, my medical records, from then on, had a doctor-created table of contents that somewhat said, here are Albert's 20-something boo boos and where they came from.

That simple idea made my initial Service Connected VA Disability request much easier than most. Within 6 months of departing the Army I was rated at 90%.

What can I do, after my service departure, so I can more accurately receive a Service Connected VA Disability Rating?

-Veteran

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE as of Feb 1, 2023...Disregard the paragraph below. I now help you through this Service Connection process...I call it Phase 2.

If you're already a Veteran and haven't received Service Connection VA Disability Ratings or if you are rated but with a short list that can't reach 100%, I suggest you reach out to at least 3 free services near you. Each county has multiple VSOs as well as local chapters of VFWs, American Legions, and so many more. They are your best assets and have the clearest knowledge on your local VA system. Please keep me posted on your journey with these services so you and I can keep your increase journey on track and as smooth for you as possible. [Pro Tip: aim for boo boos that are easiest to connect to your service: Neck, Knees, Back, Shoulders, Elbows, Headaches, Mental Health, Hips, GERD, IBS, Flat Feet, etc.]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE as of Feb 1, 2023...Disregard the paragraph above. I now help you through this Service Connection process...I call it Phase 2.

My Service-Connected boo boos have gotten worse.

What can I do to more accurately receive an increase with my Service-Connected VA Disability Rating?

-Service-Connected Veteran

Great question and you're in the right place. Please see my website for further details and next steps...

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed and Ascension Mentorship LLC?makes no promises. Ascension Mentorship LLC staff does not provide medical or legal advice. Any information discussed such as, but not limited to; likely chance of an increase, estimated benefit amounts, potential new ratings prior to a doctor reviewing patient’s file, is solely based on past client generalizations and not specific to any one patient. The doctor has the right to reject and/or refuse to complete a Veteran’s DBQ if he/she feels the Veteran is not being truthful. The Veteran’s Administration is the only one that can make a determination, in regards to whether or not a Veteran will receive an increase in their service-connected disabilities. A refund of sorts will be offered (medical fees are non-refundable, in accordance with State governing medical board.