Make Flare-Ups Count: Build a Photo Log and Upload It

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Show the VA what a flare-up really looks like, don’t just say it. Today, build a photo log: pull any pics of your condition during flare-ups (rashes, swollen joints, migraine aftermath, skin cracking—whatever applies), drop them into a single PDF, add a short caption under each with date, location, what happened, how long it lasted, and what it stopped you from doing, put your name and last four on every page, then upload it to your claim on VA.gov as evidence (check VA.gov for accepted file types). Raters can’t rate what they can’t see, and many conditions wax and wane. Clear, dated visuals show frequency and severity better than words alone and can land you in the correct rating. If your claim is closed, keep it ready for a Supplemental with new and relevant evidence.

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VA Claim Helper is led by a U.S. Navy submariner (ET2/SS, USS Pittsburgh 1995–2005) translating VA law into plain-English claim strategy so veterans can document service connection, prep for C&P exams, and win ratings without guesswork.

We publish daily VA disability tips, evidence checklists, and field manuals that walk you from Intent to File through appeals. Every guide is battle-tested with the veteran community and refreshed when VA policy shifts so the intel stays mission ready.

Service: U.S. Navy • 1995–2005 • USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), ET2/SS

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  • Start Here — pick your path and follow the step-by-step game plan.
  • FAQ — clear answers to the most frequent VA claim questions.

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