**Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider reveals his top 10 VA disability tips and strategies!**

Top 10 VA Disability Tips and Strategies Revealed & Explained!

14 min readOct 22, 2024

The VA disability claim process is incredibly complicated — and it can be horribly confusing and frustrating.

You’re battling against a broken system and bureaucracy (the Department of Veterans Affairs), so it’s mission critical for you to take full control of your VA claim (nobody should care more than you do) and give the VA Raters everything they need to approve your claim.

The #1 way to improve your chances of VA claim victory is by educating yourself about the process and ensuring you have the right medical evidence for the conditions you’re claiming.

Okay, let’s explore VA disability expert Brian Reese’s Top 10 VA Disability Claim Tips and Strategies!

#1. Don’t Try to Do It All On Your Own

The VA disability system is a beast — it can be overwhelming, confusing, and downright frustrating.

Trying to navigate the maze of VA disability claims on your own is like heading into battle without a war strategy, tactical plan, or the essential equipment needed to defeat the enemy.

You need someone in your corner who knows the ropes, someone who’s been in the trenches and can guide you through the chaos of the VA disability claims process.

Having an expert by your side to educate, encourage, and advocate for you is a total game-changer.

When times get tough (and trust me, they will), it’s a relief to have someone who can help you make sense of it all and keep you moving forward toward your goal.

An expert can also help avoid common mistakes that can delay or even deny your claim, ensuring your strategy, paperwork, and medical evidence are spot-on.

Accountability is another key benefit — working with an expert keeps you on track and taking action so that you can achieve the result you’re looking for.

Veterans who work with knowledgeable guides have a much better shot at winning their claims faster, with fewer headaches along the way.

#2. Open a Notice of Intent to File Right Away

One of the most important steps in the VA disability claim process is to submit a Notice of Intent to File.

This action secures your effective date, which determines when your VA disability compensation benefits will begin.

Once filed, you have one year to complete and submit your VA claim, which gives you plenty of time to gather all necessary evidence.

Filing a Notice of Intent to File early is crucial, as it allows you to start the process while taking the time to collect all the required medical documentation and other supporting information.

The best part?

Your benefits will be backdated to the date you submitted the notice, not the date you completed the claim.

This gives you more time to prepare without delaying your potential compensation.

For example, let’s say you filed a Notice of Intent to File on January 1, but didn’t submit your full VA claim until October 1, your VA disability benefits would be backdated to January 1.

This means you’d receive 9 full months of back pay even though the claim was submitted later!

Filing early gives you more time to prepare while ensuring you don’t lose out on potential compensation.

It’s super easy to open a new Notice of Intent to File and you can submit one online at VA.gov in roughly 60 seconds!

#3. Educate Yourself on the VA Disability Claims Process

Knowledge can only become power through action — this is especially true when you’re up against the VA disability compensation system.

The more you know about the VA disability process, the better prepared you’ll be to fight — and win — your claim.

Here are the basics you should familiarize yourself with:

Remember, a successful VA claim boils down to four essential elements, we call it the VA disability cheat sheet based on the VA Claims Insider Golden Circle:

#1. A current diagnosis in a medical record.
#2. Evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or illness.
#3. A Nexus (meaning “link” or “connection”) between #1 and #2.
#4. The severity of symptoms based on frequency, severity, and duration — and how they negatively impact your work, life, and social functioning.

#4. Get Your VA Claims File (C-File) and VA Rating Code Sheet

If you’ve ever filed a VA disability claim before, regardless of the outcome, obtaining your VA Claims File (C-File) is essential for understanding your case.

You should get a copy of your C-File because you’ll want to review previous evidence considered by the VA to ensure accuracy of prior VA rating decisions.

If you’ve had a VA claim denied, it is critical to know what evidence was reviewed and considered by the VA in the denial.

Viewing the evidence of your entire VA claim history carefully will help you form a better VA claim strategy, especially if you disagree with the VA’s rationale for denial or an underrating.

Along with this, your VA Rating Code Sheet is a document in your C-File that shows all the VA disability conditions you’re rated for, to include the Diagnostic Code (DC), disability condition name, type of service connection, whether the disability is “static,” the date(s) of service connection, and your current VA disability rating for each condition.

Your code sheet is especially useful to see if any of your VA disabilities are subject to a Routine Future Examination (RFE) — meaning whether they’ll be re-evaluated or not.

If your VA code sheet lists a disability as “static,” it means that the VA considers your condition permanent and not likely to improve.

As a result, you won’t be scheduled for any routine future evaluations for that condition.

This is critical information to know because it provides long-term stability in your VA benefits without the need to worry about periodic reviews or potential reductions in your disability rating.

Start requesting your VA C-File and your VA Rating Code Sheet as soon as possible, as it may take time to receive them.

#5. Develop a Winning VA Claim Strategy Tailored to Your Individual Situation

If you don’t have a rock-solid strategy, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

You need a strategic VA claim battle plan before heading into the fight.

Here’s the VA Claims Insider “SEM Method” formula to help you win, service-connect, and increase your VA disability rating faster:

➡️ Strategy + Education + Medical Evidence = VA Rating You Deserve Faster

For example:

Filing a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) with all the right evidence could speed things up.
Identifying high-value claims you qualify for can make a significant difference in your combined VA disability rating.
If you’re seeking a VA claim increase, do you have the medical proof to show your symptoms have worsened?
When filing for secondary service connection, a strong Nexus Letter with high probative value from a private doctor can be the key to success.
Are you eligible for presumptive VA disability benefits based on your diagnosis, service, and deployment history? Is your condition on the VA’s presumptive list for benefits?

#6. You Need to Have a Medical Evidence Strategy

Simply put, medical evidence wins VA claims!

You need to have a winning medical evidence strategy in place to ensure you have what you need to increase your chances of a VA claim approval.

It will cost you some money to purchase private medical evidence for your VA claim, but it’s a worthwhile investment to help you win your VA claim faster.

Here’s what you really need to know:

If you’re submitting a new claim, and the condition is documented in your Service Treatment Records (STRs) and you’ve continued treatment post-service, you have enough medical evidence to submit your claim now.
If you’re submitting a new claim, and the condition was not diagnosed in service, you need to start building medical evidence now. Nexus Letters and Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) from private healthcare providers are also very helpful to close any gaps in your medical treatment history.
For simple increase claims, consider submitting a DBQ — this could help you avoid a C&P exam altogether because your claim is “decision ready” for the VA rater assigned to your case.
For secondary claims, a Nexus Letter for a secondary condition explaining the connection between the service-connected condition and the non-service-connected secondary condition is mission critical. It can be the difference between winning and losing your secondary VA claim.
For presumptive claims, such as those under The PACT Act, make sure you meet basic eligibility requirements, proof of service from your DD 214, and you have a diagnosis in a medical record — no Nexus Letter needed.

#7. You Must Be Ready to Dominate Your VA C&P Exam

The Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is the #1 most important day in the VA disability claims process.

Why?

Because the results of your C&P exam largely determine whether your VA claim will be approved, denied, or deferred.

There’s a tendency for VA claims adjudicators to weigh the medical opinion and merits of your contentions based upon the results of the exam and the opinions of the VA’s C&P examiner.

You must be educated and prepared to crush your C&P exam!

Here’s My Top 10 VA C&P Exam Tips

Tip #1: Read Through Your Military, VA, and Private Medical Records

Familiarize yourself with your entire medical history, including military, VA, and private records. Knowing these details will help you accurately discuss your conditions during the exam and ensure that no important information is overlooked.

Tip #2: Review CFR, Title 38, Part 4, “Schedule for Rating Disabilities”

Understanding the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) helps you know how your conditions are rated. This knowledge can guide you in discussing your symptoms and limitations in a way that aligns with the VA’s criteria for different disability percentages.

Tip #3: Do Not Describe Your Best Day

During your exam, focus on describing your worst days rather than your best. This ensures that the examiner gets a realistic understanding of how your disabilities affect your daily life. Stick to the facts of what a normal day is like for you.

Tip #4: Be “Uncomfortably Vulnerable”

Be honest and open about your symptoms, even if it’s difficult. This level of vulnerability is necessary for the examiner to fully understand the extent of your disabilities.

Tip #5: Explain How Your Disabilities Are Limiting Your Work, Life, and Social Functioning

Clearly articulate how your disabilities impact your ability to work, engage in social activities, and perform daily tasks. This helps the examiner grasp the full extent of your limitations. Remember, your final VA rating will depend on the severity of your symptoms in terms of frequency (how often), severity (how bad), and duration (how long).

Tip #6: Know Your True Story Completely, Plus Any In-Service Incidents or Stressor Events

Be prepared to discuss any incidents during your service that contributed to your current disabilities. Understanding and conveying your full story is crucial for establishing a service connection.

Tip #7: Give the C&P Examiner a Detailed Picture of Your Life Before, During, and After Service

Paint a comprehensive picture of how your life has changed due to your service-related disabilities. This context helps the examiner understand the impact of your conditions over time.

Tip #8: The C&P Examiner is NOT Your Friend; Your Exam Starts in the Parking Lot

Remember that the examiner’s role is to evaluate, not to advocate for you. You aren’t friends and neither of you are there for small talk. Maintain a professional attitude throughout the exam and be prepared from the moment you arrive. Your C&P exam starts before you pull into the parking lot!

Tip #9: Bring Hard-Copy Documents With You to the C&P Exam

Having physical copies of your medical records, notes, and any other relevant documents can help you reference important details during the exam and ensure nothing is missed.

Tip #10: After Your Exam, Ask Your Accredited VSO to Download Your C&P Exam Results from VBMS

Once your exam is complete, work with your VSO to obtain a copy of your C&P exam results from the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS). Reviewing these results can give you insight into how your claim may be rated.

#8. Get Copies of Your C&P Exam Results

The results of your VA C&P exam play a hugely important role in determining the outcome of your VA claim.

After completing the exam, it’s critical that you obtain a copy of the C&P examiner’s report.

The examiner’s DBQ report and notices contains the medical examiner’s findings and conclusions, which heavily influence the VA rater’s decision on your claim.

Reviewing your C&P exam results allows you to catch any potential inaccuracies or omissions in how your condition was described.

If the report doesn’t accurately reflect your situation, you can gather additional medical evidence or request a new exam to ensure your claim is fairly considered.

If you think you had a bad C&P exam, you should immediately call the VA hotline at 1–800–827–1000, speak to a VA representative, explain what happened or didn’t happen (stick to the facts), and request a new C&P exam.

How Do I Request Copies of My VA C&P Exam Results?

You have two primary options to get copies of your C&P exam results:

Option #1: The fastest way to get your C&P exam results is to have your accredited VSO download copies of the final exam report from the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS). This is a system that only accredited representatives have access to. Also note that not all accredited representatives can access VBMS. Ask yours!
Option #2: The alternate method to get your C&P exam results is by filing an FOIA request for a copy of your VA C File. Note that this option can take 12–24 weeks or more. The good news is you’ll get all your records, literally every document for every claim you’ve ever filed, including your VA Rating Code Sheet.

#9. Be Ready to Appeal a Denied or Underrated VA Disability Claim

While the VA doesn’t publish VA claim approval statistics, in my experience, I would guess 50% of VA claims are approved and 50% of VA claims are either denied or deferred.

Important: A denied VA claim is frustrating, but it’s not the end of the road!

Many veterans successfully win their VA claims and overturn a wrongful denial through the VA appeals process.

The VA offers several options for appeals, including Higher-Level Reviews (HLRs), Supplemental Claims, and Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

Each option provides an opportunity to present new evidence or challenging errors made in the initial claim decision.

Be prepared for the appeals process to take some time, but remember that persistence often leads to success.

Strengthening your case with additional medical evidence, expert opinions, or Nexus letters can significantly improve your chances of approval during the appeal.

What Should I Do After a Denied VA Claim?

First, you should review VA Rating Decision Letter to understand why your claim was denied.

If you believe your claim was denied due to an administrative error, consider filing a VA Higher Level Review (HLR).

VA Higher Level Review (HLR) Tips:

You’ll have the option (not required) for an informal phone conference with a more senior-level claims adjudicator, where you can explain your situation and advocate for yourself.
Be sure to refer to your submitted medical evidence and stick to the facts.
Many claims are overturned during the HLR appeals process!

What If My VA Higher-Level Review Gets Denied?

If your HLR is denied, the next step is to file a Supplemental Claim.

The key difference between an HLR and a Supplemental Claim is that you can submit new and relevant evidence with a Supplemental Claim.

This can help address gaps in your service treatment records or provide new medical evidence to support your claim.

VA Supplemental Claim Tips:

If denied due to lack of evidence of a disability, submit new medical records with a current diagnosis.
If denied for lack of service connection, obtain a new Nexus Letter and include it with your Supplemental Claim.
If your rating is lower than expected, submit new medical evidence that clearly documents the severity of your symptoms. A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) from a private provider can be helpful in demonstrating the severity of your symptoms.

What If My Supplemental Claim Gets Denied?

If your Supplemental Claim is denied, you can request an HLR on the denied Supplemental Claim.

A more senior adjudicator will review the Supplemental Claim denial for any errors.

If this is also denied, you have the option to pursue a Board Appeal.

For faster results, consider a “records-only” Board Appeal, which is assigned to a judge and generally results in a quicker decision.

#10. Don’t Ever Give Up (No Matter What!)

The VA disability claims process can be long and arduous fight, with many veterans facing delays, denials, and major setbacks along the journey.

However, the only guaranteed way to lose is by giving up…

Veterans who stay persistent, continue gathering strong medical evidence, and push through the bureaucratic challenges are the ones who ultimately secure the VA disability benefits they deserve.

Your VA benefits are not a gift; they are compensation, services, and support for the sacrifices you made during your military service.

You EARNED your VA benefits, and they are RIGHTFULLY yours; don’t ever forget that!

Even if your claim is denied multiple times, don’t quit.

You’re closer to VA claim success than you might think.

I’ve seen veterans with 5–10 prior VA claim denials eventually win their claims because they refused to take no for an answer and didn’t give up!

Appeal, gather more evidence, and keep fighting for what you deserve.

And never ever give up.

Fellow Veterans: Do You Deserve a VA Rating Increase?

Need VA disability claim help? Call us right now: (281) 533–6777!

Hi fellow veterans, I’m Brian Reese, the VA Claims Insider, and I’m here to help you INCREASE your VA rating FASTER — even if you’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start…

If you’re frustrated, underrated, or simply sick and tired of fighting the VA alone, I’ve got your six!

There’s always another path available to you, and I’m committed to helping you achieve VA claim victory.

My process starts with a one-on-one phone call so we can get to know your unique claim situation.

We’ll identify where you stand now, where you want to go, and how we make it happen with the right medical evidence.

If we nail your VA claim strategy, the tactics become simple and easy!

Through this gap analysis process, we’ll build a personalized VA claim strategy tailored to your needs — designed to give you the best possible chance of securing the VA rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country.

>> Click Here to book your no-obligation consultation or call us right now at (281) 533–6777.

About the Author

**VA Disability Benefits Expert Brian Reese**

Brian Reese is one of the world’s top VA disability benefits experts and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.