The VA Claim Playbook exists for one reason: to help veterans and their families understand a benefits system that was never written in plain English.
If you’ve ever read a VA decision letter, scrolled through 38 CFR, or tried to figure out the difference between a Higher-Level Review and a Supplemental Claim, you already know the problem. The information is technically out there. It’s just buried in legal language, scattered across agencies, and written for people who already know what it means.
This site fills that gap. Every guide here is written to do three things:
- Explain what something actually means in plain English.
- Show you what it looks like in a real claim.
- Tell you what to do next.
Who writes this site
The VA Claim Playbook is written and edited by Norman Wong, who works directly with veterans on VA compensation claims, C-File reviews, appeals strategy, and document preparation. The site draws on years of hands-on experience reading rating decisions, navigating the Board of Veterans’ Appeals process, and helping veterans build cases that actually move forward.
This isn’t a content farm. Every article is written by someone who works in this space and knows what holds up at the VA — and what doesn’t.
What this site is not
The VA Claim Playbook is not a law firm. It does not provide legal advice. Reading an article here does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the information here is general educational content — not a substitute for talking to an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO), accredited claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney about your specific situation.
If you’re working on a claim, get accredited help. Most VSOs (DAV, VFW, American Legion, county VSOs) provide free representation.
Why we exist
Veterans deserve to walk into their claim with the same understanding the VA has. That’s it. That’s the whole mission.
Welcome.