VA Disability Claims FAQ

The GI Bill covers full tuition at public schools (or up to $28,937/year at private schools) with zero out-of-pocket costs, PLUS veterans get Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) cash payments ranging from $1,000-4,000+ depending on the school's location - this money is specifically meant to cover gas, transportation, and living expenses. Veterans also get up to $1,000/year for books paid at semester start, and those with 100% P&T ratings keep their full disability compensation on top of all GI Bill benefits. The key things: at least one in-person class is needed for full MHA (online-only pays $988/month), veterans must maintain more than half-time enrollment, and they should start by getting their Certificate of Eligibility at va.gov/education/how-to-apply then work with their school's Veterans office who will handle the rest.

Yes, the American Legion provides comprehensive claims assistance through their Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) at no cost to veterans. These trained professionals help with filing initial disability claims, appeals, and other VA benefits applications. They're accredited by the VA and can represent you throughout the entire claims process, from gathering evidence to attending hearings.
You can find assistance at local American Legion posts nationwide or contact their National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division. Visit www.legion.org and use their post locator, or call 1-800-433-3318. Many posts offer walk-in hours, but calling ahead is recommended. The Legion also provides online resources and claim forms on their website. Don't wait - their services are free, and having experienced representation significantly improves your chances of a successful claim.

Yes. The VA claim tracker steps aren’t strictly one-way — they can move forward, backward, and forward again as different actions happen on your claim. This is normal and doesn’t mean you’re losing progress. The only step that really matters is the final one: when a decision is made.

VA travel benefits are covered under 38 CFR § 70. Mileage, lodging, and meals are reimbursed if pre-authorized, but amounts are capped (lodging per night, meals at federal per diem rates). See 38 CFR 70.30–70.32 for reimbursement rules. Save all receipts and work with your VA travel office to file your claim.

No. The VA doesn’t rate weight gain by itself — it’s a symptom, not a disability. File for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and have your nexus letter clearly explain how PTSD led to weight gain (through meds, poor sleep, or other factors) and how that weight gain contributed to your sleep apnea. Keep the claim simple and let your medical evidence make the connection.

VA doesn’t pay “retirement” after a veteran passes, but you may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Survivor’s Pension. File a claim using VA Form 21P-534EZ (you can do it online or through a VSO like DAV, VFW, or American Legion). You’ll need his DD-214, marriage certificate, and death certificate. If his death was service-connected or he was rated 100% for certain periods before passing, DIC may be approved. If not, you might still qualify for a pension based on income.

Yes, if you can show the VA should’ve inferred TDIU from his 2015 decision. When a rating decision includes evidence of unemployability, VA is supposed to consider TDIU even without a formal claim (Rice v. Shinseki). File VA Form 21-8940 now and point to that 2015 language as proof the claim started then. If they deny the earlier date, appeal—it could mean years of back pay.

Yes, it’s possible to get a VA disability rating for glaucoma even if you weren’t officially diagnosed while in the military. You’ll need solid evidence showing symptoms or eye issues started during service—things like blurry vision, headaches, or abnormal eye pressure in your medical records. If you can get a doctor (VA or private) to write a statement linking your current glaucoma to those in-service symptoms, your claim has a much better shot. Many vets have been approved this way. It all comes down to connecting the dots with medical evidence.

If your VA rating is under 50%, your Guard retirement pay will be reduced by the VA amount, but you always get your full VA check (tax-free). If your VA rating is 50% or higher, you get both checks in full. VA disability never takes away your retirement—just affects how much you get if your rating is under 50%.

To get sleep apnea service-connected, you need to show the VA how it links to your service or to another condition they already rate—like your PTSD. Ask your doctor (VA or private) for a medical opinion (nexus letter) stating your PTSD likely caused or made your sleep apnea worse. Lay out how your symptoms connect—like trouble sleeping, medication side effects, or weight gain from PTSD. Submit the nexus letter and any buddy statements with a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995). The key is evidence tying your sleep apnea to your PTSD, not just the diagnosis.

If your VSO added a claim for upper peripheral neuropathy by mistake and you’re already rated for it, contact the VA right away and submit a statement clarifying the error. Let them know you did not mean to file for it again and you don’t want your current rating touched. Keep copies of everything. This helps protect you from a surprise review or reduction. Always double-check what your VSO files—nobody cares about your claim more than you do.

If the VA denied your claim based on you being a smoker—and you’ve never smoked—you need to fix that fast. Submit a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) and include a clear statement saying you’ve never been a smoker. Request a copy of your C-file (VA records) to see where they got that info. Attach any buddy statements, doctor notes, or records showing you don’t use tobacco. Point out the VA’s error in your new statement, and ask them to reconsider the decision based on the correct facts. Don’t let a paperwork screw-up cost you what you earned—call it out and back it up.

When you file for TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability), the VA should automatically add a TDIU contention to your claim. Sometimes, you might also see an “increase” contention pop up, even if you didn’t specifically ask for it—that’s normal. The VA reviews your current ratings to see if your service-connected disabilities have worsened, since TDIU is all about your ability to work. Bottom line: Filing for TDIU will usually trigger both TDIU and “increase” contentions, even if you only filed for TDIU. No need to worry—just make sure you submit all the evidence that supports why you can’t work.

If you file a new claim or a supplemental claim, you usually don’t have to resubmit evidence you already sent in for previous claims—the VA keeps your records on file. But here’s the catch: the rater handling your new claim might not always dig through your whole file to find old evidence, especially if you don’t point it out. Best practice? If there’s any old evidence that directly supports your new claim, attach it again and reference it in your application. It never hurts to make the VA’s job easier. Bottom line: the VA has your old stuff, but it’s smart to resubmit anything important—just to make sure it actually gets looked at.

Yes, it can. If you served in Vietnam and later developed neuropathy—especially early-onset peripheral neuropathy—the VA often presumes it’s from Agent Orange exposure. That makes the process smoother since you don’t have to prove a direct link. Even if your neuropathy showed up years later, you can still file, just make sure your diagnosis and symptoms are well documented. If the VA pushes back, remind them about the Agent Orange presumptive rules. Plenty of vets have been granted service connection for neuropathy this way, so keep pushing.

Honestly, I haven’t seen any vets get peripheral neuropathy approved as secondary to sleep apnea, even with the TERA Act in play. Sometimes the VA will connect sleep apnea as secondary to neuropathy, but not usually the other way around. The TERA Act expanded some presumptions for things like respiratory issues, but it doesn’t cover nerve problems like neuropathy. So, if you’re trying this angle, you’ll need rock-solid medical evidence linking your sleep apnea to your neuropathy, and even then, it’s a long shot.

The C&P exam for TDIU is all about whether your service-connected conditions keep you from holding a steady job. The examiner will ask about your work history, why you left jobs, and how your disabilities mess with daily life and work tasks. You might get a physical or mental exam, but the main thing is showing whether you can reliably work—not just if you’re disabled on paper. Bring any lay statements or work records you have, and be honest about what you can and can’t do. The goal isn’t to prove you’re helpless, just that your service-connected issues keep you from working full-time.

Start by asking your own doctor if they’ll write a Nexus letter tying your condition to your service. Be clear about what you need and hand over all your records. If your doc says no, there are independent specialists who write Nexus letters for vets—like Vet Comp & Pen, Valor 4 Vets, and Military Disability Made Easy. They’ll review your files (and sometimes do an exam) to write a solid letter using the right VA lingo. Just make sure the letter clearly connects your disability to your service—generic “support” letters won’t cut it with the VA.

Yeah, your ex can legally get a share of your military retirement if the divorce court awarded it—thanks to the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA). It’s not automatically 50/50; the judge decides based on your state’s laws and your divorce agreement. If you were married to her for at least 10 years overlapping with your service, DFAS will pay her directly. Even if not, the court can order you to pay her a portion yourself. Bottom line: if the court said she gets a cut, that’s how it goes—neither VA nor DFAS can override it. If you think it’s unfair, you’ll need a lawyer with military divorce experience. This isn’t legal advice, just the straight scoop from one vet to another.