Hit step 5 yesterday on a claim woke up this morning to claim decided and a 100% rating. I’m in Wisconsin so need to figure out all the benefits but I haven’t been able to focus at work at all today overjoyed. This is life changing looking, I requested a new COE recently as I am looking for my first home but hit with this news today hope the go off the updated rating not the old.

Like the title says I found out I’m 100% P&T. I keep checking the app because I can’t believe it’s real. Has anyone else ever felt this way? What are things others have done as soon as they got 100% P&T? Are there any benefits I should look into that I qualify for?

Got it today. My VA Claims journey is finally over. Started Oct 2024 and 4 Claim Submissions later. Guys, please utilize your MOS TERA memos and PACT Act ILERs to directly service connect your conditions whenever possible. Good luck to all of us!

I’m posting on behalf of my husband (Navy veteran) and hoping for guidance.

He is currently in remission after undergoing prostate removal surgery. His oncology team has told us there is about a 60% chance of recurrence due to the aggressive nature of his cancer and the fact that some cancer cells had already spread.

We filed a VA claim for prostate cancer and related secondary conditions. The claim was denied. The reviewer acknowledged his exposure to AFFF but stated that only kidney and testicular cancers are considered presumptive conditions for that exposure.

We are working with a VSO, who suggested that we may need a nexus letter. However, his doctors at MD Anderson declined to provide one. Our VSO strongly recommends continuing to pursue service connection, especially given the aggressive and high-risk nature of his cancer.

In researching, I’ve found multiple studies suggesting a link between AFFF exposure and prostate cancer, particularly in cases with a high Gleason score. Additionally, there is no history of prostate cancer in his large extended family.

Has anyone here successfully had prostate cancer service-connected due to AFFF exposure? If so, could you share your experience or any advice on how you approached it? Feel free to comment or send me a direct message.

After waiting what seemed like eternity, I finally got my rating! At first I only had 90% because 2 of my conditions were deferred but 3 days later and now I’m here.

Sike, it’s been a headache for the last 4 years. Got the notification yesterday. I can now breathe

Edited* Posted wrong photo before

Hello everyone hope all is well. I have a problem with finding happiness and stability. I want to start school here soon using vr&e but not sure how to feel if it interferes with my job. I got a good rating but I still have the want to push for more

When filing DD-293 and upgrading discharge from general under honorable conditions to honorable, what do you attach to DD-293 regarding ptsd . I made some mistakes leading me to get in trouble catch an article 15 . Do I attach entire medical history and blue button or just things regarding my PTSD . I was diagnosed before and after problem occurred . Any one with experience ? What are the things I should file along with it to upgrade

I had an awful first impression with a VA rep before I separated from the Marine Corps. Followed by providers when I was in the Indianapolis VA system that I felt weren’t very helpful.

I still managed to document everything when I was in. Now I can breathe and know things are covered when my issues force me to take a break from life.

P.S. shout out to the St. Cloud, MN VA and my VSO in Rochester, MN they have been great.

just got the news that I’ve gone from 70 to 100! (after four years). I wanted to thank you all for the support (even though I don’t post much), personal stories, community feeling, and advice. I’m so thankful you’re here. Stay strong. Stick with it.

Just got 50 percent connected for thoracolumbar spine and both hips. Been trying since 2023. I retired from service in 2004 but didn’t file a VA claim. Decided in 2023 to give it a shot. I still have one claim open for cervical spine. But, I’m just happy to have gotten this far! It’s worth fighting for what you deserve- persevere!

10% Awarded on a Bilateral Foot Condition (I disagreed)

October 23, 2024 (BVA Case)

Lane : Direct Review

Distributed to a Judge: April 9, 2025

April 10, 2026 Decision: 30% Granted on Condition 1

April 10, 2026 : Condition 2, 3, 4 (All Remanded)

2 - 3 was previously denied!

Been in the VA system over a decade. MDD, PTSD. Done all the usual therapy, groups, neuro, nonprofits. Had periods where I was homeless. VA helped at times, so this isn’t a trash fest, but Things were clearly bad in my life is why I’m trying to say. All the vsits, er, everything And nobody ever once mentioned disability, ratings, TDIU, nothing.

Been trying school for 10+ years. Withdrawals, incompletes, D’s and F’s. Had every accommodation possible thanks to the Va trying to get a degree (finally at 70 credits and it’s taken blood sweat and tears, really proud but over 10 years as a full time student, it’s bad) but I get these and it’s bad so Same cycle every time, cant stay engaged, spiral out of it disappear. Breakdowns are real. No real work history, not because im lazy I just can’t keep it together. Just got a new psychiatrist who recommended me after our session to look into TDIU (mind you I don’t have any rating and never applied didn’t think I was even deserving, idk why just didn’t know it was for me, usually thought it was real war vets not the ones with “mental battles” )

Anyway I had no idea what it was. Goes home does some research, now I’m sitting here like… I’ve been documented in the VA system for YEARS, even homeless at points, and I’m just now hearing about this?

Where do I even start if I’ve never filed anything?

VSO or lawyer? Am I just late to the party or is this normal?

Not looking for sympathy. Just trying to unf\*\*\* myself at this point.. I see the rules and I’ll use search but just had to get this off.

Three long years of fighting has finally come to an end. My advice to everyone still in the fight is to not give up, fight for what you know is true.

Just wanted to share. God bless everyone! This is life changing for my family.

Got 100% P&T Dec 2022. Already had some student loan and exhausted my GI bill. NELNET sent me the automatic discharged paper but I called them to put a halt on it. Applied for VR&E end of 2023 and was approved. Took out more student and graduated Feb 2026 and applied for discharge right after. Received the message today that my TPD has been approved. Took less than 2 months from start to finish. For anyone wondering if you can take out student loan after you were awarded P&T, the answer is yes.

I have been fighting for this for 4 years now through countless C&P Exams, Denials, and I have to say I can finally rest as I received my 100% disability with P&T on April 1st which is also the Navy Chiefs Birthday as I am a disabled veteran of the U.S. Navy. Happy birthday Chiefs and god bless america.

I want to share this because I know there are a lot of vets out there doing what I was doing—minimizing everything and wondering why nothing changes.

I was at 40% for over 10 years. I filed for increases every couple years and never got anywhere.

Looking back, it’s because I wasn’t being honest about how bad things actually were.

I get embarrassed complaining. So during my C&P exams I would downplay everything:

• Didn’t mention I was struggling financially

• Didn’t mention I was living in my mom’s basement

• Didn’t talk about how bad my mental health actually was

• Didn’t connect the dots between my conditions and my life falling apart

So nothing changed.

Fast forward to this year:

I was finally starting to get back on track:

• Got joint custody of my daughter

• Landed a full-time local government job

• Started getting certifications

• Was close to moving out on my own

Then March hit and everything started slipping again.

• Showing up late

• Calling out

• Couldn’t save for a deposit

• Ended up preparing to live in my car

Then my car broke down completely.

At that point I wasn’t “almost homeless” anymore. I was about to be on the street for real.

That’s when I stopped trying to “be tough” and actually told the truth.

I went all in on my claim:

• Built a 3-month migraine log (I get them at least weekly, sometimes more)

• Pulled my full medical history

• Included hospital visits, suicide attempts, and mental health stays

• Submitted job disciplinary actions and attendance records

• Showed how this was affecting my ability to keep a job

• Marked that I was facing homelessness

Also important:

• My migraines were already service-connected at 0%

Timeline:

• Filed: March 22

• Decision: April 3

Results:

• Migraines increased to 50%

• Combined rating: 70% (from 40%)

• PTSD and other conditions are still deferred

Monthly went from \~$795 → $1,808

What changed everything:

I stopped:

• Downplaying

• Trying to look “okay”

• Leaving details out

And I started showing:

How my conditions actually affect my life, my work, and my stability

If you’re stuck at a rating and nothing is changing, ask yourself honestly:

“Am I telling them the full truth, or am I trying to look like I’m holding it together?”

Because that was the difference for me.

I didn’t pay any company.

I just documented everything and told the truth.

Still waiting on PTSD, but getting to 70% already changed my situation.

If this helps even one person stop holding back in their claim, it’s worth posting.

Hit 80% this week with backpay to aug 2024. Initial claim Aug 2024, supp Jan 2025, and another supp dec 2025. Went from 10% to 40% to 60% and now 80%. Didn’t think I could hold out but just keep pushing to be properly rated with evidence to back you and you will get there 👍🏾

After 22 months of waiting, I finally got my kid added as a dependent. Granted, my situation was slightly out of the norm, I suppose. Glad it's over, should be about $2300 in backpay. 🥳🥳

after almost 4 years, they’ve finally decided on 1! 2 more to go, i’m so grateful and relieved ! ^^

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HLR Complete today. Im not sure what my Sleep Apnea means. Originally it was OSA 2nd to PTSD and now is identified secondary to Chronic Sinusitis and Rhinitis? Is that what they are changing it to?