4 Ways to Lose Your VA Benefits

4 Ways to Lose Your VA Benefits | DON'T DO THIS!

Рет қаралды 23,260

Күн бұрын

Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @the_bureaucrat
What are the common reasons that Veterans are not able to receive the benefits and compensation they deserve? These are usually related to the fact that injuries and medical diagnoses aren't documented properly so that information can be given to the VA.
Join us to discuss the 4 most common problems that VA applicants face when submitting their disability applications. We address each problem specifically and provide tips to prevent this from happening.
#vabenefits #vadisability #vaclaims
www.linkedin.com/in/charles-weko
/ @the_bureaucrat
@chuck_weko
www.tiktok.com/@chuck_weko
chuckweko.subs...
Note: The views expressed in this video are the presenter's and do not represent the policy or guidance of the Department of Defense or its subordinate elements.
( • How to Apply the Joint... )

Пікірлер: 121

@JeannyWantschange 4 ай бұрын

Older Vets knew None of This! Claims??? I was a medic and never heard of claims when we got out! We got so screwed over!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I am suspicious that older vets were getting screwed by a cultural desire to hide symptoms and the fact that back then retirees didn't get CRDP, so they didn't think about it and thus didn't talk about it with folks separating.

@DavidWDavis-xo4tj 4 ай бұрын

Got out in 1983 and never heard about "claims". Finally (2023) decided to make a claim on Tinnitus! Got approved service connected @10%. Later claimed secondaries... @70% now! Don't give up... Keep trying!

@SeanKmath 4 ай бұрын

I was a combat medic. Then became an Army nurse. Got out 2000. Never was told about claims! Just filed last month.

@benk4881 4 ай бұрын

@@DavidWDavis-xo4tj Got 10 for tinnitus and 30 for vertigo. Can I ask what the 2nd ones for your tinnitus that got you to 70?

@DavidWDavis-xo4tj 4 ай бұрын

@@benk4881 MH rating! Anxiety & Depression, but in my personnel statement and buddy letter, I spelled out everything that was driving me crazy due to my Tinnitus... Good Luck!

@johnneill5960 4 ай бұрын

Waited 30 years because I didn’t think I deserved it when I finally went I rated almost 200 percent ( 100 ptsd , 50 migraines, 40 chronic fatigue, 10 IBS ) and I had other shit to file for but this was plenty . 4393.00 dollars a month with SMC and I got 102k in back pay cause they took so damn long . DO IT

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Back pay is important too.

@jasondean5960 4 ай бұрын

I was medically retired. I was an E-7, SFC . I didn't want to lose my platoon , but I told myself if I can't do the back then when I was in PT test ,or the job I assign my soldiers. Then it was time to get out . I became the black sheep of the my unit. The only one that supported me was my 1SG. I documented everything and got copies of all my medical records.

@anonymousm9113 4 ай бұрын

Don't sweat it. I gave up my platoon because I needed to (finally) focus on me. We all have a shelf life, whether physically or mentally. I was at a point in my career where I was simply exhausted and tired of dealing with younger and more energetic officers and NCOs who outranked me. In my case, it was toxic company leadership that led to my decision to "fail upwards" and move to the general staff. My Regimental CSM understood and supported me. My CO and 1SG wanted to see me fail miserably. To tie into this post, one pivotal event that led to me stepping down was spending a Regimental Staff Duty shift having severe chest pains. I was at the point of going to the ER, but Fort Myer doesn't have an on-post hospital, so I'd have had to either go to a local ER or drive down to Fort Belvoir. I made it through my shift, but the following day wasn't much better, and I started having shortness of breath to the point where I got winded simply walking at a slow pace. I rested on my "comp" day and when I went back to work, I requested sick call or an ER visit. Unbeknownst to me, the company had planned a PT competition, so my CO and 1SG made it clear that my place was with my platoon. Choosing otherwise would have made me more than just a black sheep, it would mean that I committed the cardinal sin of putting myself over my troops. I'm no medical expert, but if I had a 40-ish guy come to me telling me he was experiencing shortness of breath and chest pains, I'd send him straight to the ER. Instead, I was "encouraged" to suck it up, board the bus, and go do a bunch of calisthenics and a three-mile terrain run. I knew then that my days leading young men were extremely numbered.

@MountaintravelerEddie 4 ай бұрын

You and I both. Did you get your CRSC?? It’s difficult but worth it. I did 17 years 10 months. I got a complete copy of my military medical records. I got it all documented. Even if it was a 1-2% rating. I’m 100% with CRSC. Hope you got all of your benefits

@anonymousm9113 4 ай бұрын

@@MountaintravelerEddie I got a 100% P&T rating, so I get my full retirement (E-7 @21 yrs.) and disability. My oldest kid is taking advantage of the education benefits, and I'm enjoying the property tax exemption my state offers. I have yet to take full advantage of all of the benefits, but I appreciate them.

@Dinolh0304 4 ай бұрын

Bro you need grammar and spell check. Or you need to stop posting when drunk.

@kurtrussell5228 4 ай бұрын

@@Dinolh0304 ... nothing wrong with posting while drunk, in fact if you make it 20 years or more in the army you're probably either a drunk or mentally not there anymore.....most times it's both....it's the same with cops, EMTs etc..

@anonymousm9113 4 ай бұрын

I served under a lot of "hard" NCOs and officers who would brag about having never gone to sick call. One of my COs, a MAJ who'd gone through OCS as an SSG, even claimed that he'd broken his leg during a jump and never got medical attention for it. I always tried to avoid profiles, but if something wasn't right, I'd get it checked out. Despite having no major surgeries, I had a lengthy medical record by retirement. Hernias, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, you name it. I used Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), filing my claim 180 days out. My retirement took effect 1 December, I got my first VA rating letter (90%) by 7 December, then I got a second rating letter (100% P&T) dated 10 December. I sometimes wonder how those Ranger qualified, "Master Blaster" jump wing holding, double CIB recipients I served under as a young Rakkasan fared with the VA when their time in uniform ended. The Platoon Sergeants and higher had pretty much all served in Panama, Desert Storm, and or Somalia, and when they redeployed from Afghanistan in 2002, I was a PV2 who'd spent the previous few months on Rear-D and thought I'd missed my chance to see combat (I was wrong). Sick call was considered "life, limb, or eyesight", and our PA had previously been a Special Forces Medic, so the chances of being referred to the health clinic were slim to none. Basically, NCOs just sucked it up, and us lowly junior enlisted were humored with ibuprofen and maybe a "no running" profile. Get everything documented, and don't mistake stupidity for toughness. Even the most experienced and respected Delta operator will (hopefully) be an old man one day, and every little bit of VA assistance (financial and otherwise) helps those of us who've earned it.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

My view is that you have to think like a highly paid professional athlete. You have to get things checked out so that you can continue to contribute. The guy who hides injuries is the same guy who suddenly falls apart when you most need him.

@anonymousm9113 4 ай бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat That's a very good way to look at things. The Army's evolved quite a bit in the past 20+ years, but unfortunately, the philosophy of many leaders when I joined was that you performed until you broke. My first PSG showed me early on how hypocritical some leaders could be. He had all the aforementioned bells and whistles, and I think he was planning to retire soon, but he had a permanent profile and never did PT. Each morning, he'd set his coffee down on the loading dock for first formation, then release the platoon for PT while he grabbed his coffee and went back inside. The first day they were back from Afghanistan, the 1SG called for everyone going to sick call to fall out. Nearly half our platoon did--all guys who'd been sucking up injuries and illnesses overseas for the previous six months. Our PSG flipped out about the number of troops who, in his eyes, were weak and useless embarrassments to the unit. At the Basic Training level, they have athletic trainers. When I was on the Trail (2016-2018), the WAT (Warrior-Athlete Trainer) was the first place we'd send Trainees with potential injuries. They'd screen them and send them to sick call if needed (a place to be avoided, if possible, as an injured Trainee at the clinic had a good chance of getting sucked into the "Refuse to Train" crowd). While most of us don't consider ourselves elite, and we are definitely not highly paid, the Army invests quite a lot into each Soldier. Leaders simply treating them like toys to be abused and occasionally broken does not do the Army justice.

@jakejennings5152 4 ай бұрын

Being a former Army Medic and Practical Nurse myself, I can say with 100% P&T certainty that my choice in MOS and reporting every single illness, injury, and any other issues in my health record and keeping personal copies of everything, or obtaining copies of everything from the base hospital’s release of information office when necessary, along with my own personal knowledge of medical diagnosis and types of possible secondary conditions that pertain to them, definitely assisted my claims process. I kept everything from my time in service. I went on to work civil service after medical retirement, and worked long enough on Civil service side to get deferred FERS at 62 also. So if I’m lucky enough to live long enough I’ll be in decent shape financially in old age as long as this country doesn’t continue going down the toilet.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I suspect that you will do well in any system.

@MikeGlynx 2 ай бұрын

THis is one of the most informative easy to understand and important video I have ever seen. You're doing God's work by helping Veterans. GOd Bless. To the point of your video I remember this guy who was always part of HQ and rarely handled his rifle but is going for 100% tinnitus.

@the_bureaucrat 2 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support...there's a lot of negative vibes running around these days. As far as the tinnitus dude...he's silly. There are set rating levels for specific diagnostic codes and tinnitus only goes to 10 percent...there are a couple complications that might be tied to tinnitus (things effecting balance), but it sounds like he was doing a bit of magical thinking.

@cidcampeador7922 2 ай бұрын

The maximum rate for tinnitus is 10%.

@wolfhound45 4 ай бұрын

Very well done. Remember this, the disability process is more of a legal process (burden of evidence) than a medical process. Ensure you have the evidence to support your claim. Thirty years in the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and 100% permanent and total.

@MountaintravelerEddie 4 ай бұрын

It’s more of having your medical record documented, understanding the IDES process and how to earn your benefits. I’m 100% with CRSC. Everything is documented Honestly, I’ve helped more that were in the Army that had missing legs and shit…..the Army sucks with admin. Get your benefits and keep pushing.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

You make an excellent point about it being a legal process. One thing I have noticed is that even the claim letter that tells you your ratings is full of references to court cases.

@JeannyWantschange 4 ай бұрын

Right! You have to be your own lawyer

@ironcannabis 4 ай бұрын

The unit I was in at fort bliss had the worse leadership. Unless you were basically dying you would never get past a sick call visit. Suffered a dislocation in my hip and some 10 years out at the ripe age of thirty in need of a double total hip replacement. Been fighting with the va for 8-9 years since I ets’d and so far no luck. They wonder why we delete ourselves in record numbers. Never surrender ladies and gents

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I don't fully understand this (maybe its my rank getting in the way)...are you saying that a BN medic can prevent you from seeing your PCM?

@SeanKmath 4 ай бұрын

I was a medic in the army, he's saying that things get treated in ways that don't make your medical records.

@JuanFlores-n5z4q 4 ай бұрын

Did you get a Nexus letter? Visit Warrior Alliance, they can help.

@Frey808 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Chuck!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

You're welcome.

@ExtremeRecluse 4 ай бұрын

Military doctors are directed to refrain from giving out diagnoses. The reason; if they did, many military personnel would become non-deployable or get medically discharged.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

That is an insightful point.

@MiaUSMC 2 ай бұрын

I was told out right don't report otherwise your not going to get hired at other federal jobs

@RoyatAvalonFarms 4 ай бұрын

Great tips! Especially about going right after FTXs or major events. Unfortunately, while I spent much of my years in the Reserve Component, we were expected to "maintain" our medical readiness yet had no health insurance to do it. We didnt even get access to Tricare Reserve Select until around 2006 or so and then even had to pay for it out of pocket (which I absolutely did). But by that time, having 18 years in service and many things broken, yet expecting to continue serving, you just had to keep your mouth shut and hide all your broken shit and keep doing your job so as not to get thrown out or moved out of combat arms into a support or desk job. But I sure wish I had different thinking and got more fixed and documented. I need a time machine to go back and counsel my younger dumber self. But alas, I probably wouldnt listen to myself 😂. Thanks for sharing these sage and wise tips. They need to get out to the younger troops too.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Roy, You seem to be doing pretty well despite all that. Although you make a good point about the Reserve Components harping on "medical readiness", but leaving that completely on the shoulders of the individual. The evolution was slow.

@RoyatAvalonFarms 4 ай бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat yes, I'm very fortunate as many others are far worse than I. The Good Lord always takes care of me overall. I do have my share of getting down, but it's important to keep a good mental state and the rest will take care of itself. And I have an awesome family too, so that is fantastic blessing. I wish I could share my good fortune with others more that they could enjoy as much. Thanks again for all you do to share your knowledge.

@en.copedawg2321 4 ай бұрын

You found my stock photo on the internet!...me at 4 years in the Army 10:50 ... All solid advice! Thanks!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

You're kidding me!

@en.copedawg2321 4 ай бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat lol yes I'm kidding lol

@AndrewGreene-kn8qu 3 ай бұрын

I wished I knew about this BDD before I got out the military in 1992

@the_bureaucrat 3 ай бұрын

I don't think they were doing it in the 90's. In fact, I think the current form only started in 2018.

@germb747 4 ай бұрын

You won't see too many folks on flying status voluntarily visiting the doctor. Almost any condition results in getting grounded and some result in a waiver process (i.e. paperwork exercise) that takes months to complete just so we can keep doing our jobs.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

That is a good insight. I wonder what implications that has for how to approach this?

@hoopt 4 ай бұрын

We had to suck it up.. 😤 Whatever you do, dont suck it up.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I tend to think that folks still need to "suck it up", but that doesn't mean they have to hide symptoms from their doctor. Go to the doctor and get a treatment plan that doesn't screw your career.

@stephenrobertson21 4 ай бұрын

I have a question. The culture of the military is that seeking medical care affects the team. Now I’m afraid the doctors won’t consider issues I’ve experienced throughout the years but avoided seeking treatment because I thought I could deal with it. Currently still dealing with it but most of these things happened 2-8 years ago

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I'm assuming that you are out and trying to fill in the gaps...two key tools are a Nexus Letter (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKCaeIN5o6iWpbM) and a Presumptive Condition (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqq2iKuro7-fb68). Presumptive conditions are "better" because they don't require as much work. Shoot me a note at chuck.weko@gmail.com if you want to chat more.

@michaeldillon9441 4 ай бұрын

Two things you must have and know in order to get 100% from the VA 1-is medical evidence 2-is knowing VA language…Don’t let number 2 go over your head

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

That is a really good point. Would you want to email me at chuck.weko@gmail.com and compile a list of "VA Terms to Understand"?

@benk4881 4 ай бұрын

Instead of going to the PCM, I assume that's at the VA clinic, would going to my doctor suffice since the VA is at least 50 miles from my home? I was 7 AD and 19 reserves, I can't fine my reserve medical records anywhere. My first VA claim was for Tinnitus after 40+ years after AD.....

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

When I say PCM, I mean the TRICARE Prime "Primary Care Manager". You can go to your local doctor, but one of the things you are going to want is a "Nexus Letter" (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKCaeIN5o6iWpbM)

@SgtMantis 4 ай бұрын

The title of this video doesn't relate to the content. Its about how to earn your benefits, less than losing them once you have them.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Fair. The video about forfiture is coming next week. There is a distinction between "making yourself ineligible forever" (this video) and "having benefits taken away" (next one)

@DemetruisMembers 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for saving me time because that is what I wanted to know.

@kroberts8866 4 ай бұрын

Already let this red tape go. The joint nature of the war also made a lot of ‘service’ connected injuries not be ‘big green Army’ service connected. Like the CAB, you had to wait till your 3rd or 4th engagement with effective fire to have the right reports by the right uniforms. It’s just the nature of the life now. The better part about retirement has been having the time to heal and prevent what the Army would only medicate.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

"Heal what the Army would only medicate" is a great point. There are tons of problems that the Army tries to get you thru one more day that if you actually take the time to heal, your life can get better.

@leeshelton8023 4 ай бұрын

That's good for SM on AD. What about years afterwards.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Hit me up at chuck.weko@gmail.com if you want to talk more. The best situation for someone years afterwards are what are called "presumptive conditions". Those are sitautions where the existance of a condition and the fact that a SM served in a specific area automatically links the two as "service connected". For example there are certain cancers tied to burn pits or agent orange where the SM only has to prove that they were in the areas these toxins existed...they don't have to prove direct exposure.

@macdaddy2727 4 ай бұрын

I retire June 1 of 2025. I'm eligible to file BDD in December and I'm scared to death the VA will screw me. I suffered a cervical spinal cord injury during COVID days rendering my right arm basically useless for 6 months. My arm healed but I was left with a disability in my hand from the nerve damage. I'm going to write a letter to supplement my filing to explain how bad the nerve damage in my hand is. God I hope my disability is recognized. Time will tell. Thanks for the info Colonel.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

@macdaddy2727, I would be curious to hear how your adventure unfolds. Shoot me a note at chuck.weko@gmail.com if you want me to follow along with you. The big thing that would concern me is whether or not there is a diagnostic code in your record for the nerve damage. I put low stock in those personal letters or buddy letters, but during your final medical appointment, it's vital that your PCM document the diagnosis.

@kevinm3815 Ай бұрын

Get a EMG to prove your diagnosis.

@donalddodson7365 4 ай бұрын

tough luck for those of us from Vietnam!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Yeah, at this point, about all you have easy access to are presumptive conditions.

@joenewmeyer8358 4 ай бұрын

I'm from a time frame that you soldiered up. Don't do that. Go to sick call every time you sprain a toe. Every time. If you don't and that toe then gets infected after getting out, you're screwed! Go to sick call. Screw the pretend tough guys!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I'll add that even if you can't go to sick call "every time", keep a list of issues to remind yourself of when you do finally go to a doctor. And focus on the serious issues (sometimes they don't give you time to cover the whole list so you have to prioritize).

@joenewmeyer8358 4 ай бұрын

@the_bureaucrat this new military has nothing but toxic leadership. Go to sick call. If the leadership has something to say. Tell them to put it in writing why you can't go to sick call. I see what going on with the new military leadership. I retired 5 years ago from the civilian side of the house. The leadership is totally different and it is bad leadership. Totally different from the 80's and early 90's leadership. We did take care of our soldiers underneath us.

@benfoot4212 4 ай бұрын

it was doom to go to the dr for injuries when I was in. Majority of us avoided the docs like the plague.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Indeed. How to see the doctor without ruining your career? I think there is a timing piece to this, but I have to think more about it.

@benfoot4212 4 ай бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Timing piece?

@Phillip-dw7vr 4 ай бұрын

The army wouldn’t let me see a medic.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Interesting.

@ralphmanning1292 4 ай бұрын

They stopped me before even starting to file by lying and saying that my files were burnt in a warehouse fire in St Louis, MO, which I learned later that occurred 8 years before I went into service!

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Oh that "St Louis Warehouse Fire"...it keeps lurking. BTW, did you get your files and did you apply for benefits eventually? Email me at chuck.weko@gmail.com

@olddog103 4 ай бұрын

WHEN I COULD NOT DO MY JOB AS A HELO RESCUE AIRCREW, LOST MY DEPTH PERCEPTION , MY ALCOHOLIC OIC JUST DUMPED ME TO SUPPLY DIV.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

You aviation types have me thinking that there is probably something nuanced about how to handle this.

@MiaUSMC 2 ай бұрын

It's a labyrinth and go insane. I went for a compensation test. Everytime she asked me what was your treatment &diagnosis. I was told take some prophen and bengay..😂😂😂😂

@the_bureaucrat 2 ай бұрын

UGH!!!

@keithtschudi2829 4 ай бұрын

He overlooked the main reason that most military personnel don't get disability for compensation, that they don't find or go to the VA after service.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Good point. Just apply.

@bertoflores5046 4 ай бұрын

Subscribed.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

Thanks.

@philliplopez1501 4 ай бұрын

Medical appointments following all major training events need to be programmed into the training calendar the same as field recovery.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

That would take a special kind of commander. I tend to think that the block leave window is a perfect target. Schedule your appointment before the training event even happens.

@philliplopez1501 4 ай бұрын

@the_bureaucrat Not unthinkable. In the 82nd Airborne we regularly held "clinics" with the forward support medical company prior to a unit transitioning onto a readiness phase. Meaning we updated shots, etc. It wouldn't be that hard to repeat the process after major training to streamline the medical process...with the added benefits of better maintaining combat fitness...and helping SM document thier medical.

@WilliamHolden-t5g 19 күн бұрын

What’s with five minute commercials??

@the_bureaucrat 15 күн бұрын

That's a KZbin controlled feature (they make a big deal about how content creators don't control the revenue generation of the platform) ...That said, they might be targeting you because if you watch boring content like mine, you might not notice a long commercial.

@WilliamHolden-t5g 15 күн бұрын

I see. Thanks for the explanation.

@SteelWolf13 4 ай бұрын

Woot! Like #99.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

A bit.

@tommarinevet 4 ай бұрын

One way to lose your VA disability rate...if you commit fraud...period Or you improve...

@johncasper8193 4 ай бұрын

@@tommarinevet agree with you. The military went woke! VA disability is for combat wounded veterans and training, accidents only.

@the_bureaucrat 4 ай бұрын

I have a video coming next week on the ways to lose a VA benefit after you gain it. Fraud is indeed the top reason, although "improvement" is really tied up in the issue of reexamination.

@benk4881 4 ай бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Aren't you exempt from any further exams after you reach age 70 if you have any % from the VA?