1-stop-shop for Veteran benefits: CivDivonline.com Dr. Sharmas FULL EXPLANATION: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7qEerKb29iXo2g.htmlsi=9GtSuOW3N-CdU3k0 - Clay

The first mistake is thinking that the VA is making these changes to benefit the veterans...Gov't makes changes to benefit itself.

Bottom line 40 billion to Isreal and 70 billion to ukraine, not to mention migrants. If you're a veteran and not pissed on this shame on you.

VA never makes changes to help veterans.. it’s always to make it more difficult for veterans to get the rating they deserve unfortunately

Mental health should be at 100 percent if you can’t work.

By this logic, if I’m missing a leg due to injury in service but the VA provides a prosthetic leg, I’m back to normal in the VA’s eyes? In other words, if a veteran were to receive a prosthetic leg, VA would rate only the disabling symptomatology that exists after the ameliorative effects? “So yeah, hey buddy, you can kinda hobble along better when you wear your prosthetic leg, despite the pain, so we’re rating you at 10% since you’re basically back to normal and not 100%.” That's some wild reasoning...

I already knew this was bad from the start. I never got my hopes up.

Clay, I'm sad to say it, but you are 100% right on this one. I have been saying this the entire time. The VA is only making changes NOT to better rate veterans but instead to cut costs.and make it more complicated to get service connected and compensated for illness or injuries. I wish this wernt the case, but it is. And im sure this is just the beginning unless veterans organizations through congress get them to back down and instead take care of and compensate the veterans who they used to fight their wars for them.

Why would the VA eliminate the employment stipulation to get 100% If they were trying to make it more difficult to get 100%. I would bet that currently, there are far more 70% and 50% ratings right now than 100% based off of the veterans ability to maintain employment under the current guidelines.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I’ve been saying the same thing. They’re trying to find any way to cut costs even though they got fat bonuses. The changes are definitely not favorable for the veteran.

Thanks for the updated information and couldn't agree more with you thoughts on why the VA is changing Sleep Apnea and Mental Health. Again, the veterans keep getting screwed.

I am glad that I am “grandfathered” in at 100 percent P and T for bipolar disorder.

Man!!! Veterans you have to educate yourself on these changes!! Most veterans have issues with current rating schedules, and how to properly articulate your symptoms. Get acquainted with CFR 38 for each domain, DSM-5 as well. Sad to say a lot of veterans will not get properly rated because of not preparing and understanding new criteria. Document your symptoms!!!

Examiner says: are the medications helping. Me: "no" Examiner: please elaborate Me: "no... I've already answered...no" Examiner: ah, he's perfectly healthy

I totally agree with you. Think of all of us that have these issues . Getting ready to save a bunch of money. Not many changes good for Vetrans. I personally feel they just figured out how much the Pact Act is going to cost. Have to save money on someone's back. Keep up the good work.

DoD does much the same thing whenever they modify the retirement program. The difference is that DoD is at least somewhat transparent about it - they will say that part of their reasoning is to reduce out-year costs. Expect to see more of this from the VA, especially as more presumptive conditions are added into the mix. While I’m at it, don’t expect that existing ratings will be grandfathered forever when future changes happen. Congress can change the law - look what happened with Social Security in the ‘80s. When they changed the tax law so your SS retirement was now subject to federal income tax, everybody was affected including current recipients. Look at what Gov. Youngkin just did in Virginia - it’s not unthinkable.

Always the best info, right here!

Definitely doesn't sound like a conspiracy theory-- as you broke it all down, it made sense to me-- we all know what our govt is about and how they operate! Its time to believe that and respond accordingly 🇺🇲

We're about to go through the next decade of veterans benefits getting sliced in half because of inflation and uncontrollable government spending. My advice to veterans is do not rely on your va compensation as your only income if you can help it. Use your GI Bill and get your education in something that's in demand, and that's high paying like IT. Free education is the greatest benefit we can receive

I agree with this video more than I did with your previous video because you were stating the things I was thinking about then

I agree with you only because of the clause about the rating being based on your function after medication. However this is kind of how it is now, just unofficially. Many veterans don't know how to help C&P examiners do their job so it's really a mixed bag. I can see how this will make it more difficult for veterans moving forward, but for some veterans.... a few veterans that are diagnosed GAD MDD etc and have severe impairment this will help those veterans ideally. Thanks for the work you're doing.

50% Mental Health along with PTSD - The C&P reviewer sucked too, because one of the things I told him on things that I do repetitive and it's with hygiene was don't know if it was reversed or not but I always clean my arms off and take any where from 4-3 showers or more a day because I felt dirty. He was like well, it's mostly for bad hygiene, it's good you have good hygiene, Ya my PTSD therapist said other and it was repetitive. All this C&P examiner want to do was to show that I improved to make me lower. This response in my decision letter would be my prove "Although recent evidence shows some improvement in the condition, sustained improvement has not been definitively established." The only evidence would be the C&P exam, because my med's doc and I haven't finalized my med's yet or dose's yet. I have just started with my PTSD therapist we are still working things out. C&P guys just felt that he didn't just believe me.

I am currently waiting for TDIU after filing for it again a second time. The first time I tried, the cp examiner told me (my ptsd is from mst) “you’re young. You’ll get over it.” I in fact have not gotten over it and it has gotten worse. Thanks for the update! I always enjoy your informative content!

Great catch, always a catch...and its in favor of the VA

Thanks Clay 🙏🙏

The reason it’s happening? It makes it more difficult to win claims, therefore saving the VA money. Simple.

BEWARE: The VA is using VOC REHAB to do warrantless searches of Veterans home and PTSD to take their guns. As I was going through my VOC REHAB claim they were asking questions like; which law enforcement agency comes to your house, how many guns do you have, where are your guns. My PTSD is rated at 0% and there is no cause for the VA to come after me (save that I speak out against the malpractice of the VA - aka BLACKBALLED). I had a recent psych services test that reported that I was not a threat but that me attitude issues were caused by my pain (fibromyalgia, large and small cell neuropathy, etc.). Physical therapy refused to provide services to me (other than new age medical) while saying "YOU LOOK YOUNG AND HEALTHY." When I asked if they had looked in my record they said, "NO". Wow, the VA's FEELINGS are medicine now?

Common sense would have told you it was too good to be true.

Shouldn't matter what degree medication and/or treatments suppress symptoms of the conditions, right? For most conditions, there's no cure. Like a chronic sinusitis condition. Just because you undergo a FESS surgical procedure, that is a hopeful assist in some of the symptoms, but you still have sinusitus. The condition may have some temporary relief, but the condition will cause what the surgery achieved, that condition will gradually return to the same as before the surgery. Same for almost all others... sleep Apnea. A CPAP doesn't cure the condition.... the VA is acknowledging your development of these conditions is service connected, that is what the disability rating is compensating you for. 0% doesn't compensate the veteran for being exposed toxins, or the horrors from combat. Treatment can help cope, understand, and emotionally compartmentalize maybe, but a pill that will likely cause other issues, doesn't cure the issue. Like you said, these things mostly 'Suppress' some if the issues from they shouldn't give future service members the understanding, "we will send you to combat, expose you to really life altering horrible shit, but once you get it, and even though you will now have it for life, we will give you a few pills, and take away any compensation we had been providing because we put you in the position to get it. So no big deal' Am I off, or is that basically what is happening?

I agree with you. VA rateers do not favor the veteran. I've had great evidence with Nexus. VA raters send off for their own Nexus that overrule evidence, and denying my claim regardless of my evidence. 😢. I've been told that the VA is owned by a private organization. I don't know if that's true, but they say regardless that raters are encouraged to deny when possible. The money left over is awarded as bonuses to the ones in charge.

It will push the veteran into a stronger evidence base claim. This will push us into DBQ's vs DBQ's who can provide the stronger rationale. The Veterans Board of Appeals will be over loaded until all the dust settles and more training takes place. This Mental Disorder started in 2022. It was pushed to Committee several times it's in Committee now.

Well, I spend 25% of my morning patrolling and watching, then I spend 25% the afternoon angry and avoiding people. I then spend 25% of my evening on a rollercoaster of depression and suicidal thoughts. Followed by 25% of my night sleeping.

I mean I can totally understand why Congress and the government does not like the fact that they essentially have to pay thousands of veterans to live. A lot of that money could be spread out to fund other systems that may or may not benefit us. But then I remember I got 100% P&T due to therapist abuse and a horrible mental healthcare system that didn't want to give me therapy, provide me with a proper diagnosis, or even give the psychiatric drugs a chance to work before kicking me out of the Army. I was desperate to stay in and I was a good soldier, but I was in an extremely toxic unit that made it impossible to do my job. Now I'm getting paid to sit around and do nothing for the rest of my life. If going back in wasn't impossible I would do it in a heartbeat.

Totally agree I have been screwed over by C and P examiners more times than a hot tick on a rock.

I had a knee replacement and after 2 years I was called back in to see if my leg was totally back 100%. They were wanting to lower my rating

I too wonder if it's favorable. It's scary to think how much weight a c &p examiner has, but honestly hasn't this always been the case? Because the VA will more likely than not go with what they say. I was fortunate to actually have a good examiner for my mh claim.

Thanks Clay

I think if the veteran bases there symtoms from new the cfr 38 and dbq with their medical provider along with a personal statement this should give the a better picture on how to rate the vet. If the c&p examiner inaccuratly paints a different picture the medical evidence is king and a good reference to get a better rating in a high level review.

I was shaking my head when you said this was a good thing so I'm glad you came around. When has the VA ever proposed changes to actually help veterans? The two reasons you discussed are legit, but my biggest concern is the subjectivity over the definitions of Mild, Moderate and Severe. That's what's gonna screw us over. There's not much of a difference between Severe and Total/Profound so they will probably never give anyone a 4 under any domain. As far as your conspiracy theory - I think you can remove the word conspiracy from that quote. Less payouts for the veterans mean they might be able to keep their bonuses next year! In reality, the current administration is pushing hard internally to save money by making it harder for people to get government "benefits." They are doing the same thing with Social Security benefits. The less they spend on us, the more they can spend on their priorities, such as: illegal immigration and the climate cult. Ask yourself why illegal immigrants are provided 'gender-affirming' care courtesy of Uncle Sam while the same government looks for ways to screw us over. Most members of Congress prefer people in the military die in service instead of getting injured because it's cheaper. I don't think more veterans have PTSD from recent conflicts than from prior conflicts but it's not taboo to get that label on you like it was so more people are coming forward with claims. So basically, the government said, "Oh my, more of our precious veterans have PTSD than ever before! We're going to have to pay out more money to more people. I know! We can lower the amount they get paid so it's a wash!"

I totally understand that on paper it looks like it is helping veterans get a higher rating but we also know that the VA and the government will never make anything easy for veterans to pursue and have a good life with we all know this

Thank you sir

Something that I think would benefit the veteran community and this channel would be for you to connect with and interview folks in the government that are in a position to help us. Help voice, our frustrations and let them know that you have a huge community behind you. Plus, any collaboration that can be done with other popular KZfaq channels like this would help get the word out and gain even more support.🤔

@TheCivDiv if I have an ITF but haven’t submitted the claim yet and changes happen to mental health and sleep apnea to I get rated under the new or old… my anxiety has been through the roof worrying about this

45 billion. Less that’s been sent to Ukraine.

Sounds like, get the big 3 forms of evidence especially an IMO from a psychologist, a private DBQ, refuse a C and P exam and let the battle begin for the new mental health changes

Appreciate the update on this. Does this affect just Vets who have a claim in process, or those also thst have already been rated, for example 50%, 70%....etc...??

You are so right and i believe your conspiracy on this. It makes sense.

Clay, make a follow up video and ask Andy what he thinks (or how he would argue before the Board.

I have to disagree when you say bleeding of money…YES 44 BILLION, is alot…HOWEVER, it’s not being hoarded all those VeTs are doing is putting that 44 billion right back into to economy

VA disability decision’s are still judged on a “more likely than not”basis. So if you have the evidence to back up your claim, it shouldn’t be that hard to achieve the appropriate rating. But, we’ll have to see.

I saw someone comment about the 25% requirement on one of your posts months ago.

You forgot #5. Which is that due to being dependent on medication and treatment then MH can NEVER be static. You can always be re-evaluated to see if the meds and treatments have improved your condition. So yeah, after this I fully expect NEW rating will NEVER be static.

Geez looking at this I dont think I will even bother with filing an increase

If you are grandfathered in, does the VA take the higher of the two ratings (be it ore-2024 or post 2924 change) or will it just refer to the latest claim.you submit for?

They may be limiting their future liability, anticipating a large deployment to come.

So if we’re at 70%, we might as well just apply for increase now as to waiting for the change? I check all the boxes to get 100 with new system.

Clay, if I refused to take medications and still have bad mental health episodes does this disqualify me from getting a higher rating? I stopped taking mental health pills due to ED.

So I am curious because I have diagnosis for moderate depression but denying service connection.. I have primary service connection for OSA.. not secondary but primary service connection.. I can't find any information on how to help and have contacted a lawyer and nobody knows what to work with primary OSA because nobody apparently gets that rating

I’m currently at 10% for tinnitus only but I suffer from severe anxiety and have depression too. I’m so paranoid that I can’t even do my disability claim for mental health because I keep thinking I will fuck it all up and not get anything for this condition. Clay do you recommend I just pay one of those company’s on the internet that do the claims for vets? If yes, which do u recommend?

Duty to assist ... Politicians in reelection

Clay, I watched the video again and have one quick afterthought. Shouldn't we all wait for the new DBQ's for new changes? Wouldn't the C&P examiners be guided by the DBQ's? Could the "subjective" percentage concerns be "objectively" clarified in the DBQ's? Just a thought? What do you think? BTW....thank you for thinking outside-the-box and forcing us to stretch our thoughts too!

Clay, Thank you for the information as usual, but I desire an update to something that's more important to me.... You previously mentioned that your place was flooded and that you and your family are living in a hotel. How are you doing? How is the family holding up? Keep your head up brother. I'm wishing you guys the best!

Clay, do you think is a good idea to file a MH claim prior to the new changes?

If the vet is already rated well these changes affect them as well?

I’m currently rated at 70% for PTSD and taking meds. With these new changes, does that mean that I have to stop taking my meds in order to keep my rating?

Do we have any news yet about when the new regs are coming out to rate mental health?

Should I do a intent to file for mental Heath? My BDD window opens in September. My ETS is March of next year.

Clay, we must always look behind the curtain of the VA wizzard to see what the real motivation is. We should never give them the benefit of the doubt when they are changing things. Always .

They started with me I have 50% I was rated 6 mo ago just reason two weeks ago denied for sleep Amp for the fourth time

No offense but do you guys ever believe making more than 1 video on potential negative changes could be fear mongering an already stressed audience? Appreciate all of the good intel from the videos.

This is sad and crazy, I have no faith in anything anymore. Just waiting to pass away and be done. This fighting for whats ours is crazy and I have no energy for it anything

Big question. If a vet has a pre existing rating can this new rule reduce that rating in the future?

Months ago, i said this, and i was discredited by my statement. Yet here we are.

If you’re grandfathered in are you still safe?

Highly % rated PTSD WILL kill you, either quickly by punching your own ticket or slowly via alcoholism, congestive heart failure via sleep issues etc. I sure as chit would WANT to get better... because i would want to live.

They trying to fit objective with subjective

So my question is when are the new changes going through. I submitted a claim back in March which is in the decision stage now. Will these changes be used to determine what i have applied for already.

When are these changes happening or have they already taken place. I'm putting in my Claim for Anxiety this June

none of this is surprising to me, I hear vets say I'm waiting for the new MH ratings to come out? really? WTH no way. I am anticipating 2025 thank you for all you do

Who didn’t see this coming SMH.. they just don’t want to pay out at the end..

Don’t forget mental meds can bring on their own set of symptoms. Then what?

Do you think that this change will be only for new claims, or will it affect all claims that have been already rated?

Considering I got my 70 after having been on my meds for around 4 years... I'm confident I'll stay where I am at worst. That said, it's still crap. I'm starting to think they want MH to get worse instead of better.

Clay, so if you're rated at 50-70 mh would you attempt increase after changes or too risky

Horrible to be a disabled veteran

when do these new criteria take effect? does it matter when you submitted your claim?

I can never get a straight answer out of anyone. If I have 100% P&T for PTSD, do I need to worry about future changes to the criteria? Or is my rating set for life? What if therapy and pills actually work? Will my mental improvement get me downgraded? I only ask because I want to get better, but I feel like having my payments taken away and having to return to the 9-5 grind might break me psychologically.

On issue #3 the C&P examiner will probably just ask you if the meds you are taking have made the symptoms and better. They have no reason to make it any more complicated than that. If you say yes, they might ask a few follow-up questions. If you say no, they might just go on to the next set of questions.

If I have a C&P coming up this month, is the new criteria going to be implemented for me?

Like I said if they make changes it's not to benefit veterans

I could be wrong, but when the government changes things. Its always been in there favor qnr screws over the service member

Much of what you said seems to mirror comments/posts I have seen in KZfaq/Reddit comments.

I’m pissed they just said my depression was not service connected even though in my service record I was diagnosed major depressive disorder by navy psychologist? WTH

If the VA wants to cut costs, they need to stay out of conflicts / wars as being the worlds police. We need to protest out front of recruitment centers to tell new soldiers they will not cover you if you get hurt. So dont join. Then they may change their tunes when the recrutment is bottomed out and they can't fight no wars with no volunteers.

Will vets already rated be called in for re evaluation ?

C & P examiners suck unless the result is in the veterans favor… 🙄

Where do we find the rating break down sheet? We can find anything that is legit.

Will the VA schedule C&P exams and calll in vets who are already rated for mental health?

What is the best guess for these changes to come into effect?

If a prescription helps we will rate you lower. Where will it stop?