Permanent and Total (P&T) VA Disability: What It Means and the Benefits It Unlocks
What a Permanent and Total VA rating is, how to tell if you have one, how to request it, and the benefits it opens for you and your family.
Norman Wong
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Pay Above 100% and Who Qualifies (2026)
Special Monthly Compensation pays more than the 100% rate for severe disabilities. The SMC levels from K to R2, 2026 rates, and how to claim it.
How to File for a VA Rating Increase (and the Risks to Know First)
If a service-connected condition has worsened, you can file for a VA rating increase. How to file, what evidence works, and how to weigh the reduction risk.
Board of Veterans’ Appeals: The Three Dockets and How to Choose
How a Board Appeal works, the differences between the Direct Review, Evidence Submission and Hearing dockets, and what happens after a Board decision.
VA Claim Denied? What to Do Next, Step by Step
A denial is not the end. How to find the real reason VA denied your claim, choose between the three review options, and avoid missing the deadline.
BDD Claims: How to File for VA Disability Before You Leave Active Duty
A BDD claim (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) lets you file 180 to 90 days before separation so your decision arrives sooner. Who qualifies and how to file.
How to File a VA Disability Claim: Step-by-Step With VA Form 21-526EZ
A step-by-step guide to filing a VA disability claim online or by mail, how to describe each condition, and what to expect after you submit.
DBQs Explained: How Disability Benefits Questionnaires Affect Your VA Rating
A DBQ is the form VA examiners use to record your symptoms against the rating criteria. How to use public DBQs with your own doctor.
How to Write a Personal Statement for Your VA Claim (VA Form 21-4138)
Your personal statement tells VA what happened and how your condition affects you. A simple four-part structure, what to include, and what to avoid.
How to Get Your VA C-File (Claims File), Online or by Form, and What to Look For
Your C-file is everything VA has on your claims. How to request a copy with VA Form 20-10206, how long it takes, and what to check when it arrives.