My COLA increase has not applied yet! 😔

I’m totally joking 😂

Instead of ptsd they gave me “unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.” With a rating no where near what I** **feel like is fair for what I’ve been going through.

Also what should I do if my c&p examiner left things out or straight up didn’t even ask during my exam? And is now not listed in my symptoms.

Ive been out the Air Force for about a few months now under an Adjustment Disorder Administrative Discharge (USAF). I know a few people that were also discharged under Adjustment Disorder, but they themselves are rated through the VA for something not related to it like MDD or PTSD and continue to struggle even after the 6 months of recovery that AD allegedly takes to sort itself out.

It just seems like the military as a whole likes to use Adjustment Disorder as a catch all to quickly get rid of people that have Mental Health issues without going through the proper MEB/Medical Seperation process.

Has anyone here seen this play out? or perhaps been on the reciving end of this?

Edit: I was in for three years, second/last year of enlistment is when the involuntary hospitalizations, meds that messed with my mind, and TTMs happened. Ive since been service connected and have a civilian job again (still reciving VA therapy) still stings though, the gaslighting i underwent was insane.

Hey I just started all of my claims and appointments this week was all of my appointments for everything I was claiming how long after will I receive a decision? This is my current list. All of my examiners have been really cool and very helpful/understanding in this whole process.

I was just awarded 70% for my PTSD claim. I have other issues from my condition that has left me with issues that I believe to be connected to my mental health problems like TMJ and IBS.

The issue is that I do not have any in-service evidence of these issues occurring, only the PTSD. These other issues came on over time after the military.

Would it be worth it for me to try and claim for IBS and TMJ secondary to PTSD and if so, what are some artifacts I can gather to help win my secondary claims?

Hi! My name is Sophie Will, I'm a federal tech reporter at FedScoop who has done a lot of reporting on electronic health record modernization. I'm currently working on a story about pill splitting and the new EHR.

Do you split your pills? Does the EHRM affect you?

Let me know. We can chat about anonymity — I would just really appreciate hearing your perspective and experience. Reachable via DM, [sophie.will@fedscoop.com](mailto:sophie.will@fedscoop.com), 617-888-0900 or ksophiewill.66 on Signal. Thank you!

Curious as to what time in the day, was the latest you ever received a decision?

How can I find when my intent to file was, I believe it was in February but am not for sure- I do see on my notice the date that I did submit, which was like August 2nd. I’m trying to calculate my back pay. The back pay will be deposited any day now correct?

Also, you can see that the date is effective January 9, 2026. I’m now rated 90%. Will I not start receiving the full amount until then?

I was just awarded for Prostate Cancer on Oct. 2. I've usually received my backpay within a few days to a week after(my claim was filed on 9/17/26). Still haven't received it. Because of the timing of the award, is it possible they'll wait until 11/1? Just curious... Thanks!

Hello I had a question or a topic I don't know much about I got out of active duty 11bravo in 2014 I filed for disability this year and was awarded how does back pay work I didn't get any

For context, I am National Guard and have been for 15 years. Throughout that 15 years, I have been on Active duty for training and operational support about 5 times. I have medical records FROM WHILE I AM ON ACTIVE DUTY as well as when I was not on any sort of orders. military and personal medical records with a paper trail of chronic pelvic pain since 2014.

in 2014 I started documenting pelvic pain. military docs treated it as a suspected hip injury but there was never any actual injury. I had MRI, CT scans, etc. No broken bones but I did have a cyst on scans. I got an LOD.

I had a total hysterectomy in 2026 and they found endometriosis and removed it. it was on my pelvic walls, utterer, etc.

I tried to claim ovarian cyst & hip pain with the VA and it was denied in 2021 (before I knew I had endo)

my VA decision letters for both of those claims have favorable findings of a qualifying event from in service, and a current diagnosis. what I was missing from both was a nexus.

I am reclaiming and attempting to claim endometriosis and the hysterectomy as a secondary. would love feedback and/or if this is a wash or if it sounds like I have a good shot at it.

long story short, my endometriosis and pelvic pain was left untreated and undiagnosed for years.

praying for good results

Last month I went in to tge ER for the worst stomach ache in my life, came out of the hospital a week later three feet short on intestines from getting a tumor removed.

I learned cancer is covered under the PACT Act and the information I found said cancer could be filed as an expedited claim. When I went to file, it was not listed as eligible, only terminal illnesses. My cancer isnt terminal so I havent filed the form.

Did I find old information online about it being eligible?

Just finished my C&P physical exam. During the rotation of movement parts, the doctor physically forced my limbs and joints, forcing me into excruciating pain. I don’t know if this is normal or not, but I’ve never heard of that happening to someone. An example would be I was laying on my back and he was checking my knees and took my shin and pushed it as far as he could all the way to my ass, causing a bunch of pain, crackling and popping in my knees. Once he would slowly close my joints, he would then take the protractor and measure that. I’ve left the office shaking in pain and sweating profusely. This is for a BDD CLAIM

I just wonder if it’s worth it, as this is my first time applying and I am not sure of all the details.

I also am not sure if they help connect service members with doctors to help adequately diagnose for VA compliance.

I keep seeing VetClaims.Ai promoted, but worry it’s just AI hoopla.

Had a C&P exam today for IBS and migraines secondary to PTSD and the whole thing was kinda weird.
I’m currently 70% for PTSD and had previously been denied for IBS and migraines because the VA couldn’t establish a baseline, even though they acknowledged both were aggravated by my PTSD. Submitted some older medical records and got scheduled for another exam.
Anyway, the examiner was an older guy and at some point he started going on about how the regional offices make all the decisions and how veterans need to be careful filing claims because they can end up getting their ratings reduced.
He was saying the VA has like a trillion-dollar compensation budget, they’re changing rules, and veterans are getting reduced all the time. He also claimed the regional office specifically wants him warning veterans about this stuff.
At one point he straight up asked me, “Are you sure you want to file this?”
He also told me the VA would be calling my employer to verify my call-outs and telework days because of my IBS and migraines.
The actual exam was pretty quick, less than 30 minutes. He asked when everything started, how often I have symptoms, and a little about my PTSD, but we also spent a good chunk of time talking about random stuff and sleep apnea.
I get that ratings can be reduced and that the examiner doesn’t make the final decision, but the whole conversation just felt weird. Almost like he was trying to talk me out of pursuing my claims.
I’m not even asking for a PTSD increase, just trying to get my secondary conditions connected.
Anyone else experienced something like this? Is this actually something examiners are being told to say, or was this guy just giving me his personal opinions?
Not gonna lie, I left feeling pretty uneasy about the whole thing.

I was denied an increase from 30% to 50% for migraines. I submitted employment documentation showing sick leave usage, along with a supervisor statement describing reduced productivity, impaired work performance, and missed work. My C&P DBQ also documented symptoms that meet the 50% rating criteria.

What frustrates me is that the denial letter stated:
“If you have documentation that shows prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability or work documentation showing time off or missed work in the past 12 months, that could be helpful to an increase claim moving forward.”

I already submitted exactly what they are asking for. The only thing I did not submit was a migraine log, but based on the rationale, that doesn’t seem to be the issue.

I’m wondering whether the VA viewed my continued employment and income as evidence against severe economic inadaptability. Even though Under Pierce v. Principi, the 50% criteria do not require a veteran to be completely unable to work.

At this point, I’m considering a Supplemental Claim with updated leave records, but I’m also wondering whether a Board appeal is the better option if the VA failed to properly consider the evidence already submitted or misapplied the rating criteria. I’d appreciate any thoughts on the best way to proceed.

Has anyone had success getting a compensable rating for hypertension years after getting out? Looking back I have some higher BP readings in but was finally diagnosed/medicated about 12 years after getting out. My numbers would rate 10% but I’m just curious if anyone is in this same boat and was successful this long after EAS.

How long it usually takes the step 3? Started the process in January

Long story short... 10% for adjustment disorder back in 08, suffered until 2025 with pretty severe PTSD and lots of treatment for it. In early 2026 I finally filled for an appropriate rating and submitted lots of evidence before my C&P exam and then my examiner butchered both my interview and the DBQ.

It doesn't appear that she read any of my previously submitted evidence and the decision was made only off the terrible exam and DBQ filled with internal inconsistencies, things that were factually inaccurate, and directly contradicted things that I said in the exam which is further discussed in the statements from me, my wife, and my long time therapist.

Just a couple of examples:
She was 15 minutes late to my appointment, not running behind on other appointments, not even in her one room office. I was her first appointment of the day and was on the phone with Optum asking where she was when she finally showed up late with no explanation or apology.
She writes about a suicide attempt and suicidal ideations, but doesn't check the all important box.
My service dog was present at the appointment and it's in my letters about him, but there's no mention of him or why I have him in the DBQ.
She didn't even ask about other mental health diagnoses, but checked the box that I don't have any even though my therapist has GAD and MDD in her letter.
And about 10 other things wrong or completely missing between my evidence and the DBQ.

I believe that all of the evidence I need for the rating I deserve based on my symptoms is already in the evidence, but my VFW rep is recommending that we push for a new C&P exam tomorrow at the informal conference rather than point out all of the inconsistencies in the DBQ and my other evidence.

I don't really want to have to go talk to yet another stranger about all of my trauma and the impact that it's had on me, my work, my wife, and my kids over the last 18 years if I can avoid it. My last appointment had my nervous system fucked up for weeks before and after in preparing for it and recovering from what I did have to talk about.

I'm just curious about others thoughts and experiences with a complete failure during the exam and the rating process and what you did/your VSO did next?

I really just need a second pair of eyes to look at my decision letter for my higher level of review. It looks like they’re describing a higher rating than I was given. What should I do at this point? I don’t really want to do a board appeal with how long it takes. Do I say screw the back pay and ask for an increase? Do another supplemental?

Hello, I’m doing my BDD claim and I just had an C&P exam for ptsd/mst. I had MST incidents but never reported because my leadership failed me. I’ve been going to behavioral health for my Adjustment disorder for depression and anxiety.

Will I get rated for ptsd/mst if I don’t have diagnosis? Do I need to gather evidence or my disorder can linked to it?? Thank you.

I’m considering filing claims for my left ankle, lower back, and radiculopathy in each leg, all secondary to my service-connected right ankle.

Would it make sense to submit all four conditions together on one claim, or file them separately? I’d especially appreciate input from anyone familiar with the claims process, including current or former claims examiners. If you’ve handled a similar situation, what did you consider when deciding how to file?

I understand every claim is different, and I’m looking for general experiences and perspectives—not a decision on my claim.

I am currently about to submit a claim for four different issues. My question for you all is should I write a one page personal statement talking about how all four issues impact my life or should I write a separate statement for EACH claim?

Raters out there, do you read all of the personal statements and do they carry weight?