u/alvvayspale

A little backstory, I served from 2001-2005 and I thought there was absolutely no way I would get rated just because it’s been so long. I always figured you had to be physically wounded to get rated while serving. I reported an intent to file back in Nov 2025 and did nothing until August 2026. Literally, just did nothing with fear of getting rejected. On Aug 24th, I finally sat down and just followed the steps from a YouTube video as it tells you where to go, what to click, how to respond (honestly) and key words to include as well as how to upload any documents and of course, submitting and then what to expect after.

By reading this sub, I also learned things about what to expect during my C&P exams, how to answer certain questions, the examiners are not your friends. Just give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers but also don’t hold back on things that you feel are service related and always explain like it’s your worst day ever. But to not go in and say you are having a 10 today in terms of pain but more like “on good days, 4-6 and on bad day, 6-9”. Stay true to your answers because once you start going back and forth with different responses, the person doing your claim may start to think that you are lying. Again - be truthful but go in and describe your pain as in ‘everyday is the worst day’ but also, don’t walk into an exam limping if you are not really limping.

So I put in for 3 things, had 3 exams scheduled. The first one for PTSD was over the computer (face time) and I was super nervous. I knew not to talk about money, don’t say ‘I saw my friend was getting paid’ and don’t say someone told you to file. Money is NOT the motivation, so DON’T bring it up. Just stick to the facts, answer questions and how whatever you are claiming is service related and how it’s impacted you on a daily basis. Does it affect your work, your concentration, your sleep, your personal relationships? Those things are critical. Also, attaching nexus letters is VERY important. Any documents you have or doctors visits - even recently to help prove your situation. Upload them because if you submit with zero documentation, you are pretty much wasting your time. Not saying you can’t get rated still but it can make the difference between a couple of hundred to perhaps a couple of thousands of dollars.

I submitted my claim on Aug 24th and I randomly decided to check the status today and saw I was already on step 5! I was like ‘wow’. Then I checked again about an hour later and I went to step 6. I saw that from step 6-8 flies by quick so I was getting excited as I knew today could be the day. Then within a couple of hours, I received a text message saying that a ‘decision about my claim has been made’ and to go review. Going in, i thought this whole process would take between 3-9 months but it happened in under a month. I did not expedite the process by lying and saying that I was on the verge of becoming homeless. Not sure how the process happened so fast but of course, I was excited to review what the letter said. I got rated at 70%!! I couldn’t believe it. Still can’t actually. And that was only my first exam. I have two more that are currently following behind and the next one is in step 4 atm. Since these 3 exams were all taken within 2 weeks, so I am guessing I should see some more movement here soon. But really, I was hoping to get rated just in general but I was thinking it would have been maybe something like 10%, and if I was lucky, MAYBE 30%. And 40% would have been amazing. But when I saw 70%, I was floored. I guess because of two things: I downplayed it in my head so I wouldn’t go in thinking I would get some higher percentage only to be disappointed. And my main thought was that because I got out on 2005, I thought they wouldn’t take my case seriously or even care on what I had to say or share and I was afraid of getting rejected.

All in all, if you are a vet and are suffering in one way or another (physically/mentally), go see a doctor. Get documentation and start your claim today. Big thanks to this sub as well as a couple of YouTube videos that also helped with the submission process as well as tips that helped prepare me on what to say and what not to say on my exams.