How to Read Your VA Rating Decision Letter, Section by Section (2026)
A section-by-section guide to your VA rating decision letter, the errors to check for, and how to decide what to do next.
Norman Wong
VA Disability Back Pay: How It Works, How Far Back It Goes, and When It Arrives (2026)
How VA disability back pay works: how far back it goes, how the lump sum is calculated, when it arrives, and why it can be less than expected. With an example.
Camp Lejeune VA Claims: Presumptive Conditions, Eligibility and Family Benefits (2026)
Veterans who served 30 days at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between 1953 and 1987 are presumed exposed. The eight presumptive conditions and how to file.
The PACT Act Explained: Burn Pit and Toxic Exposure Presumptive Conditions (2026)
The PACT Act made many cancers and respiratory illnesses presumptive for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins. Who qualifies and how to file.
PTSD VA Rating: What Each Level From 0% to 100% Means (2026)
How VA rates PTSD under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, what each percentage looks like, and how to prove your stressor.
VA Secondary Conditions: How to Claim Them and Common Examples (2026)
A secondary condition is caused or worsened by one you are already rated for. What you must prove, a table of common pairings, and how to file.
TDIU Explained: How to Get Paid at 100% When You Cannot Work (2026)
TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) pays at the 100% rate without a 100% rating. The thresholds, forms and evidence that matter.
C&P Exam Guide: How to Prepare, What to Expect, and What to Do After (2026)
The C&P exam is often the most important evidence in a VA claim. How to prepare, what examiners look for, your rights, and how to respond to a bad exam.
VA Buddy Statement: How to Write One That Helps a Claim (With Template)
A buddy statement is a witness account that supports your VA claim. Who should write one, what to include, and a template on VA Form 21-10210.
VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really Work (2026)
VA math explained: why 50% plus 30% is 70% and not 80%. How VA combines ratings, how rounding works, and how the bilateral factor can raise your rating.