I was able to get 70% for Depression/Anxiety secondary to a 10% Back Injury. Chronic pain is not to be taken lightly and I urge you to take this path if you fit the criteria. Great video, Jordan!
Same here, secondary to back and pes planus. My own brother said I was a constant grouch. I didn't put it together that I was in pain all the time. I thought I was used to it, but it seems it affects me in so many negative ways.
Mind if I ask how you were able to do this? I am rated 40% for back, and 30% for right shoulder. I have chronic pain and recently my regular va doctor recommend a mental health evaluation. In the notes the Dr scored me as moderately severe clinical insomnia, major depressive disorder, and severe general anxiety disorder. How do you get a nexus letter? Do I have to find a civilian dr who agrees with this assessment? I'm sorry for the questions, I'm just lost when it comes.to secondary conditions. I filed my own for my service connected stuff, buy not sure how to proceed with the secondaries. Also,.if the therapist I am seeing puts this in his notes, is it the same as a formal diagnosis?
Man I wish you started your channel 10 years ago I've been at 40% and literally thought I was stuck there forever. I just filed a new claim for an adjustment about 5 or 6 weeks ago and luckily am at step 5 now, but I would've been more thorough if I found you before I submitted. Either way, out of all of these VA channels you're the best presenter by a mile and you give just the facts no BS. If I don't get to 100% I'm coming and going through all your videos to get there.
Thanks for the kind words Aaron, I’m glad you are back on the horse and got some momentum going. It’s discouraging but VERY common to have a couple of denials before ultimately breaking through to a high rating. It’s sort of how the system works. Keep pushing!
@@scweekyclansman3635 This is a channel for Veterans, if you are one I’m surprised cause that comment was disrespectful and had no grounds to go off of as he gave no details about his claim, if you don’t have something positive to say, don’t say anything or just move on!! Also no need to respond just read my message twice to sink in!! May your day be as kind as you!
My claim for chronic pain was just denied today. Today has been very rough and I have been obsessing over solutions. They said "We have continued the assigned 20 percent evaluation for your thoracic back strain (claimed as chronic pain secondary to your service connected back condition) based on: -Forward flexation of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees." I am so confused and disheartened because I filed for "chronic pain as a secondary to my thoracic strain" So why are they just focusing on my thoracic back strain? Did my local VA officer word the form incorrectly to get the VA to only focus on the back strain and not the chronic pain secondary condition?
I had a T10 - L3 spinal fusion last year because I broke my T12 and L3 vertebrae during basic training,I am just now working on starting my Medboard, hopefully I can get 100% ratings, I’ve had chronic pain ever since I broke my vertebrae.
So if I’m going to get a private diagnosis and nexus letter connecting my service connected back pain to chronic pain syndrome, what do you have to mention specifically for chronic pain syndrome? I check all of these boxes that you mentioned, but I don’t know if I should just blatantly say “I have chronic pain and it’s causing X”
Hey Jordan, how do I set up a discovery call. I can't get into my situation here, but I have a lot of conditions that are service connected, but I haven't filed a claim. People tell me to go to a VSO, but I feel there is a conflict of interest because who is paying their salary? I'm looking for assistance, someone to guide me through the process. Can you assist?
Question. If I file a claim while other claims are in progress, will it set me back? I am going to submit this claim next, but I don't want to prolong the ones in progress
Hey, Jordan another Great video. I noticed you had a video about top 10 claims and CFS/Fibro was #4 but overall i don't see alot of videos about CFS, is CFS considered mental?. Also what kind of specialists diagnosis CFS and would a Family dr diagnosis be sufficient?
@@antiochaldo6299 it’s because they want to rule out sleep apnea because the fatigued could be caused by sleep apnea.. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion
How can get doctors to diagnose you for chronic pain for disabilities? Do u just go up to them and say, since i have been in pain for several years can i get diagnoses for chronic pain, tyvm?
Just a quick question: I have already been diagnosed with TBI...and since we can only get 1 mental rating...is this an issue? I have been diagnosed by the VA for CPS...I just don't have the rating for it. In fact...I am unsure that I can be rated for it.
Great question, TBI can be rated as a mental condition if it gives you mental symptoms… it can also be rated as headaches or vertigo if it manifests as those symptoms, I call it the Decepticon of VA ratings because it can transform into many
So...should I poke the bear? I do have CPS, per. Neuropathy, sleep apnea , spinal stenosis, severe degenerative disease and several other conditions. Scared if i ask to be actually rated at 100% plus tdiu and p& t, i will open a can of worms. Whats your take on this pls. Im a life member with DAV. They say leave it alone
Then it’s redundant to add another mental condition , better off just applying for a PTSD increase if you are suffering total social and occupational impairment from it
I was wondering that myself, I am seeing a va therapist already, and I doubt she would ever write that i have this condition on top of the anxiety disorder I already have.
Appeals should be your very last option because that could take years. Educate yourself about all your symptoms and get your facts straight to where you can easily go over them effortlessly. Then, request a High Level Review (HLR) that way you can actually talk to a senior VA rater and explain why you think you deserve a higher rating. Just know with a HLR, you cannot sumbit any new evidence, it's just a phone call. If they still decide you should only get 30%, then file a supplemental claim with more evidence and a really good personal statement like Jordan mentioned. And remember, chronic pain syndrome falls under a mental rating and the average for a mental rating is 70%😮 😮😮
TBI is only counted as a mental rating if the brain injury resulted in mental symptoms. If it resulted in chronic headaches, for example, it would be rated as chronic headaches.
@@vaclaimsacademy I have to disagree because I have TBI and it wasn’t because of headaches. I have a hard time remembering due to explosion during deployment. I get headaches when I think about something and try to remember. I just got headache as a 0 rating but they put ptsd/TBI together for 70
Anyone here a reservist that has had success in linking your issues with your military career even though you didnt complain about anything during service?
It’s going to be hard to prove without medical evidence Request your service treatment records first. Then you’d have to claim as a presumptive. Say you went to airborne or air assault but didn’t wanna get rolled so you sucked it up. Presumptive service connection with current diagnosis is the route you’d go
@@hailtothe_rooster1572 I did a FIOA for my records but I am still waiting. I will have to see what is in there. I never did airborne or air assault sadly (too old for that now too lol).
@@bigtime911 they did a hearing check and noticed a decline but nothing to warrant hearing loss so I was denied tinnitus. Plus there is still the connection thing they keep falling back on. No service records for it, so doesn't get tried to my military career
I was able to get 70% for Depression/Anxiety secondary to a 10% Back Injury. Chronic pain is not to be taken lightly and I urge you to take this path if you fit the criteria.
Great video, Jordan!
Great work Wilhelm and thank you for
Same here, secondary to back and pes planus. My own brother said I was a constant grouch. I didn't put it together that I was in pain all the time. I thought I was used to it, but it seems it affects me in so many negative ways.
Mind if I ask how you were able to do this? I am rated 40% for back, and 30% for right shoulder. I have chronic pain and recently my regular va doctor recommend a mental health evaluation. In the notes the Dr scored me as moderately severe clinical insomnia, major depressive disorder, and severe general anxiety disorder. How do you get a nexus letter? Do I have to find a civilian dr who agrees with this assessment? I'm sorry for the questions, I'm just lost when it comes.to secondary conditions. I filed my own for my service connected stuff, buy not sure how to proceed with the secondaries. Also,.if the therapist I am seeing puts this in his notes, is it the same as a formal diagnosis?
@@Statickification Can you file it secondary to 2 conditions or just 1? Thank you :)
@@Tino_Da_Queen You can file it to just one.
Man I wish you started your channel 10 years ago
I've been at 40% and literally thought I was stuck there forever. I just filed a new claim for an adjustment about 5 or 6 weeks ago and luckily am at step 5 now, but I would've been more thorough if I found you before I submitted.
Either way, out of all of these VA channels you're the best presenter by a mile and you give just the facts no BS. If I don't get to 100% I'm coming and going through all your videos to get there.
I don’t think Jordan was around all those years ago on the channel lol but yes you are correct we ALL needed Jordan so long ago
Doesn’t sound like your stuff is service connected tho like to many of y’all trying to just get paid for nothing
Thanks for the kind words Aaron, I’m glad you are back on the horse and got some momentum going. It’s discouraging but VERY common to have a couple of denials before ultimately breaking through to a high rating. It’s sort of how the system works. Keep pushing!
@@scweekyclansman3635 This is a channel for Veterans, if you are one I’m surprised cause that comment was disrespectful and had no grounds to go off of as he gave no details about his claim, if you don’t have something positive to say, don’t say anything or just move on!!
Also no need to respond just read my message twice to sink in!!
May your day be as kind as you!
I didn't realize this was a thing. I've had chronic pain from a service connected injury and i have no mental health rating. You sir are the man.
Just went from 30% to 80%. Thank you for doing what you do for our Veterans!
My claim for chronic pain was just denied today. Today has been very rough and I have been obsessing over solutions. They said "We have continued the assigned 20 percent evaluation for your thoracic back strain (claimed as chronic pain secondary to your service connected back condition) based on:
-Forward flexation of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees."
I am so confused and disheartened because I filed for "chronic pain as a secondary to my thoracic strain" So why are they just focusing on my thoracic back strain? Did my local VA officer word the form incorrectly to get the VA to only focus on the back strain and not the chronic pain secondary condition?
I just filed for this, and the C&P added anxiety after talking to me. Things others see that I don't.
I had a T10 - L3 spinal fusion last year because I broke my T12 and L3 vertebrae during basic training,I am just now working on starting my Medboard, hopefully I can get 100% ratings, I’ve had chronic pain ever since I broke my vertebrae.
EXCELLENT HEADS UP INFO. THANKS
Hello Jordan, Awesome info good video. Hope all is well with You and your Family
So if I’m going to get a private diagnosis and nexus letter connecting my service connected back pain to chronic pain syndrome, what do you have to mention specifically for chronic pain syndrome? I check all of these boxes that you mentioned, but I don’t know if I should just blatantly say “I have chronic pain and it’s causing X”
Can you specify the Diagnosis Code for each of your videos! Thanks 😊
Hey Jordan, how do I set up a discovery call. I can't get into my situation here, but I have a lot of conditions that are service connected, but I haven't filed a claim. People tell me to go to a VSO, but I feel there is a conflict of interest because who is paying their salary? I'm looking for assistance, someone to guide me through the process. Can you assist?
@@Iberr1965 a VSO is a good resource as long as you do most of the work and strategy. But yes, you can go to www.vaclaims-academy.com
Question. If I file a claim while other claims are in progress, will it set me back? I am going to submit this claim next, but I don't want to prolong the ones in progress
U cant file more claims while u have other claims running.
Hey, Jordan another Great video.
I noticed you had a video about top 10 claims and CFS/Fibro was #4 but overall i don't see alot of videos about CFS, is CFS considered mental?. Also what kind of specialists diagnosis CFS and would a Family dr diagnosis be sufficient?
No chronic fatigue syndrome is separate from mental health .. it’s neurological condition
@abrahamagiba3000 why are they wanting me to take a sleep apnea test? Isn't that a respiratory condition?
@@antiochaldo6299 it’s because they want to rule out sleep apnea because the fatigued could be caused by sleep apnea.. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion
Abraham is high speed! I’ll make a video on CFS soon, it’s such a massive rating, I think it could help a lot of people
@@vaclaimsacademy it’s because we both AF brother haha
So I'm out of luck since I am 30% PTSD. My issues fit with chronic pain also.
How can get doctors to diagnose you for chronic pain for disabilities? Do u just go up to them and say, since i have been in pain for several years can i get diagnoses for chronic pain, tyvm?
Just a quick question: I have already been diagnosed with TBI...and since we can only get 1 mental rating...is this an issue? I have been diagnosed by the VA for CPS...I just don't have the rating for it. In fact...I am unsure that I can be rated for it.
Great question, TBI can be rated as a mental condition if it gives you mental symptoms… it can also be rated as headaches or vertigo if it manifests as those symptoms, I call it the Decepticon of VA ratings because it can transform into many
If i was at 80% but got tdiu and p&t. But va left 13 conditions on table. They didnt even rate the rest! But i get pd at 100%
Can chronic fatigue be secondary to chronic pain or depression?
🙏🙏🙏🙏
So...should I poke the bear? I do have CPS, per. Neuropathy, sleep apnea , spinal stenosis, severe degenerative disease and several other conditions. Scared if i ask to be actually rated at 100% plus tdiu and p& t, i will open a can of worms. Whats your take on this pls. Im a life member with DAV. They say leave it alone
IMO, IF you have the medical evidence and aren't currently %100 rated I would file the claim.
What if you are 70% ptsd already?
Then it’s redundant to add another mental condition , better off just applying for a PTSD increase if you are suffering total social and occupational impairment from it
I’m betting the VA isn’t going to diagnose this.
I was wondering that myself, I am seeing a va therapist already, and I doubt she would ever write that i have this condition on top of the anxiety disorder I already have.
They don’t like to do anything that will help a claim.
Yeah it would take reaaaaly leading the doctor to water since they’re almost certainly not gonna be proactive for you
Even then it would be surprising.
💪💪
i literally just did a similar file. They only gave me 30%! i was thinking 30 is better than nothing
If you got 30% without a personal statement, it usually means you would have gotten 50 or even 70% with a good one
@@vaclaimsacademy yea, i only had mental health history of therapy through the VA. i will be appealing but unsure what steps to take next
@@vaclaimsacademy i used some keywords that i thought would have led me to 70% based off of the criteria on their website
@@vaclaimsacademy i did it as a secondary claim to my chronic knee pain which is service connected
Appeals should be your very last option because that could take years. Educate yourself about all your symptoms and get your facts straight to where you can easily go over them effortlessly. Then, request a High Level Review (HLR) that way you can actually talk to a senior VA rater and explain why you think you deserve a higher rating. Just know with a HLR, you cannot sumbit any new evidence, it's just a phone call. If they still decide you should only get 30%, then file a supplemental claim with more evidence and a really good personal statement like Jordan mentioned. And remember, chronic pain syndrome falls under a mental rating and the average for a mental rating is 70%😮 😮😮
Is ptsd a mental pain?
Does fibromyalgia fall under this?
No, fibro is a separate rating, meaning you could get both
VA denied me for chronic and gave me Fibromyalgia 40% instead but I'm 100% P&T since 2001.
Seems like a longshot to me and sort of a stretch
Chronic is defined as a condition lastjng more than six months.
So if you have PTSD and TBI you can’t claim this?
Yes you can they just take the highest mental rating and apply it to your VA rating
TBI is only counted as a mental rating if the brain injury resulted in mental symptoms. If it resulted in chronic headaches, for example, it would be rated as chronic headaches.
@@vaclaimsacademy I have to disagree because I have TBI and it wasn’t because of headaches. I have a hard time remembering due to explosion during deployment. I get headaches when I think about something and try to remember. I just got headache as a 0 rating but they put ptsd/TBI together for 70
Anyone here a reservist that has had success in linking your issues with your military career even though you didnt complain about anything during service?
It’s going to be hard to prove without medical evidence
Request your service treatment records first. Then you’d have to claim as a presumptive. Say you went to airborne or air assault but didn’t wanna get rolled so you sucked it up.
Presumptive service connection with current diagnosis is the route you’d go
@@hailtothe_rooster1572 I did a FIOA for my records but I am still waiting. I will have to see what is in there. I never did airborne or air assault sadly (too old for that now too lol).
Tinnitus ringing in ears
@@bigtime911 they did a hearing check and noticed a decline but nothing to warrant hearing loss so I was denied tinnitus. Plus there is still the connection thing they keep falling back on. No service records for it, so doesn't get tried to my military career
@@robertmileage get a current diagnosis for tinnitus from a private audiologist, nexus letter, and personal statement file a supplemental good luck