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Loot4Vets | VA Disability

@loot4vets

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Helping veterans become more knowledgeable of the VA disability process.

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Checked another experience off my bucket list 🏁 🏎️

Attended my first NASCAR race at Charlotte motor Speedway all things to @vettix.org 🇺🇸

if you were a veteran and haven’t checked out VetTix you’re missing out on some great opportunities!

Use this link to sign up !

https://www.vettix.org/ref/5882794

#Veterans #NASCAR #charlottemotorspeedway
#dtris loot4vets taken in Charlotte Motor Speedway by @loot4vets

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5

5 days ago

Flat feet and plantar fasciitis are some of the most underrated VA claims.

Most veterans think foot pain is ‘just part of the job,’ but chronic foot conditions from ruck marches, running, and standing on concrete are 100% service-connected and can reach 50%.

Here’s the key: pes planus (flat feet) and plantar fasciitis are TWO SEPARATE conditions.
If you have both, file both. If both feet are affected, file bilateral claims - you can get rated for each foot separately.

The VA wants to see structural changes (X-rays showing arch collapse), functional limitation (can’t stand for long periods), and orthotic dependence (prescription inserts).

Better yet: foot pain causes compensatory movement that leads to knee, hip, and back problems - all potential secondary claims.

📸 Screenshot the rating breakdown.

📌 SAVE this for your claim.

Follow @dtris for content that stacks your benefits. Drop a 👣 if you have foot pain! taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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2 months ago

GERD is worth up to 60% and most veterans don’t even file for it.

If you have chronic heartburn from service stress, NSAID use, or deployment, that’s service-connected.

The VA rates based on symptom persistence and esophageal damage - you need an endoscopy showing inflammation, Barrett’s esophagus, or strictures for the higher ratings.

The key phrase is ‘persistent symptoms despite treatment’ - if you’re on daily PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole) and still have symptoms, that’s 60%.

GERD is also an easy secondary claim to PTSD (stress increases acid production) and medications.

Even better: GERD can CAUSE sleep apnea (acid inflames airways), so if you have both, you’ve got a 60% + 50% stack.

📸 Screenshot the rating criteria.

📌 SAVE this for your claim.

Follow @dtris__ for underrated claims.

Drop a 🔥 if you have heartburn! taken in Norfolk, Virginia, USA by @loot4vets

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2 months ago

Lower back pain is one of the most common VA claims, but most veterans leave money on the table by not understanding the rating system.

The VA rates lumbar strain based on range of motion - specifically how far you can bend forward.

30° or less = 40%,
up to 60° = 20%
up to 85° = 10%

But here’s what most miss: you can get ADDITIONAL ratings for incapacitating episodes (flare-ups requiring bed rest), radiculopathy (sciatica/nerve pain to legs), and intervertebral disc syndrome (herniated discs).

These stack on TOP of your ROM rating.

During your C&P exam, the examiner will measure how far you can bend - don’t try to be a hero and push through pain. Show your actual limitation. Get imaging (X-rays, MRI) showing degenerative changes or disc herniations.

Document every flare-up.

📸 Screenshot the ROM breakdown.

📌 SAVE this for your exam.

Follow @dtris__ for back pain strategies.

Drop a 💪 if you have back pain!

#LumbarStrain #BackPain #VADisability #VeteranBenefits #Dtris taken in San Diego, California by @loot4vets

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2 months ago

Knee pain from ruck marches, running, and airborne ops is 100% service-connected, and it’s worth way more than most veterans realize.

The VA rates knees based on range of motion (how far you can bend), but you also get separate ratings for instability, meniscus removal, and ligament damage. These STACK.

If you have limited flexion (20%) + instability (10%) + meniscus removal (10%), that’s 40% for one knee - and if both knees are affected, you file bilateral claims.

Here’s the key: knee pain doesn’t exist in isolation.

It causes compensatory movement that leads to hip pain, back pain, and ankle problems - all potential secondary claims.

During your exam, demonstrate actual limitation - don’t try to push through.

Get imaging showing arthritis or structural damage.

Document every episode of instability (knee giving out).

📸 Screenshot the ROM criteria.

📌 SAVE this for your claim.

Follow @dtris__ for joint pain strategies.

Drop a 🦵 if you have knee pain! taken in Killeen, Texas by @loot4vets

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2 months ago

Sleep apnea is an automatic 50% VA rating once you’re prescribed a CPAP or BiPAP machine. That’s $1,075.16/month for a single veteran.

The easiest path: file secondary to PTSD (hypervigilance prevents deep sleep), rhinitis/sinusitis (nasal obstruction), or GERD (acid inflames airways).

You need a sleep study showing AHI ≥5 and a CPAP prescription - that’s it. The VA doesn’t care what your AHI score is; they only care that you’re prescribed a breathing assistance device. Critical: Use your CPAP regularly - VA can check compliance data.

Service connection is easy for secondary claims: PTSD→sleep apnea, rhinitis→sleep apnea, weight gain from meds→sleep apnea. This is one of the highest-value secondary claims you can file. If you have PTSD, rhinitis, or GERD already rated, add sleep apnea secondary.

📸 Screenshot slide 6 for filing paths. 📌 SAVE - this is a $1K+/month claim. Follow @dtris__ & @loot4vets for high-value secondaries.

Drop a 😴 if you have sleep apnea!

#VADisability #Military #Veteran #Loot4Vets #Dtris taken in Fort Bragg, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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2

3 months ago

IBS is worth 30% and is one of the easiest secondary claims to PTSD.

Most veterans don’t realize chronic stress from PTSD directly triggers IBS - the gut-brain connection is medically established.

The VA rates IBS based on symptom frequency and abdominal distress.
More or less constant abdominal distress= 30%.
That means if you have daily or near-daily symptoms affecting work, social life, or travel, you qualify.

The winning strategy: file IBS secondary to PTSD.

The nexus is strong - stress hormones disrupt gut function, PTSD causes chronic stress, therefore PTSD causes/aggravates IBS.

You need a GI specialist exam, symptom logs showing frequency, and documentation of how it impacts daily life (can’t travel, need immediate bathroom access, dietary restrictions).

Even if you filed PTSD years ago, you can add IBS as a secondary claim now.

📸 Screenshot the rating criteria.

📌 SAVE this for your claim.

Follow @dtris__ for secondary claim strategies. Drop a 🎯 if you have IBS!

#IBS #VADisability #Military #Veteran #dtris taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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3 months ago

Major depressive disorder rated under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9434, worth 10-100% based on occupational/social impairment. NOT presumptive, but easiest secondary to PTSD, TBI, chronic pain. VA rates on General Rating Formula: 100% total impairment/unemployment, 70% deficiencies most areas, 50% reduced reliability, 30% occasional work issues, 10% mild symptoms. Need mental health diagnosis + treatment records + functional impact documentation (job loss, social isolation, relationship failure, suicidal ideation). Medications (SSRIs, SNRIs) + therapy frequency matter. Can rate separately from PTSD or combined. File direct (military stressor) or secondary (PTSD, TBI, pain). 📸 Screenshot slide 5. 📌 SAVE. Drop 💙 if filing! taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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4 months ago

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is an underrated condition worth 10-70% depending on severity of nerve/vessel compression.

It causes arm numbness, tingling, weakness from compression between collarbone and first rib - extremely common from military overhead work (pull-ups, equipment maintenance, weapons handling) and heavy gear/pack carrying.

The VA rates based on severity of nerve compression: severe can get 60-70%, moderate 30-40%, mild 10-20%.

You need neurological evaluation with provocation tests (Adson’s, Roos test), nerve conduction studies showing compression, and imaging ruling out other causes.

Service connection:

Repetitive overhead movements during service (PT, equipment maintenance), heavy gear compressing thoracic outlet (rucks, body armor), or secondary to neck/shoulder injuries.

Document functional limitations: can’t raise arms overhead, weakness limits lifting/carrying, numbness affects fine motor tasks, occupational impact.

Even after surgery (first rib resection), many veterans have residual symptoms - document ongoing limitations.
#If both arms affected, rate each separately.

📸 Screenshot slide 5 for rating criteria.

📌 SAVE for nerve compression claims.

Follow @loot4vets for repetitive injury strategies.

Drop a 💪 if you have TOS!

#ThoracicOutletSyndrome taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

5

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5 months ago

Most veterans say “I get bad headaches” and wonder why they’re denied.

The VA specifically looks for PROSTRATING attacks - episodes where you’re completely unable to function. Here’s the breakdown from 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8100:
∙ 50% = Very frequent prostrating attacks causing severe economic inadaptability
∙ 30% = Prostrating attacks averaging once per month
∙ 10% = Prostrating attacks averaging once every 2 months
∙ 0% = Less frequent attacks

The key? Document the frequency, duration, and severity of attacks that leave you completely incapacitated.

Track your migraine episodes, use VA terminology in your claim, and establish service connection.

📸 Screenshot slide 3 for the exact rating criteria!

🔗 Need help filing your claim?

Visit Loot4Vets.com for step-by-step guides, templates, and veteran-to-veteran support.

#vadisability #veteran #vaclaims #VeteranBenefits Veteranlife taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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2

6 months ago

The worse part about Camp Humphreys was the curfew! I was there 2017-2018.

I’ve also been to Camp Casey, Camp Red Cloud, Osaka Air Base, Yongsan Army Base, Camp Jackson, and Rodriguez Range!

#Military #camphumphreys #Army #vadisability #dtris taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @loot4vets

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7

6 months ago

TMJ disorder is an underrated VA claim, especially as a secondary to PTSD.

Stress and hypervigilance from PTSD cause teeth grinding (bruxism) which damages the jaw joint over time.

The VA rates TMJ based on how wide you can open your mouth - measured in millimeters during your C&P exam.

Less than 35mm opening = 10%+
severe limitation gets up to 50%.

Most veterans don’t realize this is service-connected.

Direct path: facial trauma, jaw injuries, vehicle accidents.

Secondary path (easier): Bruxism from PTSD → TMJ damage.

You need measurements of mouth opening, imaging showing joint damage, and documentation of functional impact (can’t eat certain foods, jaw locks, chronic pain).

During C&P: Don’t force your jaw open through pain - show actual limitation.

📸 Screenshot slide 5 for measurement criteria.

📌 SAVE for your claim.

Follow @loot4vets for secondary claim strategies.

Drop a 😬 if you grind your teeth!

#TMJ #TMD #JawPain #PTSD #vadisability by @loot4vets

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7 months ago