Bad information spreads faster than good information, and in the VA system it costs real money. Let me kill a few of the myths I hear every week.
“If you were denied once, you are done.”
False. Denials are appealable, and the appeal lanes exist to overturn them. Many of the biggest awards I have seen started as denials.
“Filing a claim will reduce my current rating.”
Filing for a new condition does not put your existing ratings at risk. Protected ratings and the rules on reductions exist for a reason.
“You cannot work and get VA disability.”
Most ratings have nothing to do with employment. Only TDIU turns on your ability to work — and even then, marginal employment does not disqualify you.
“100% is impossible to reach.”
Between combined ratings, secondary conditions, and TDIU, more veterans qualify for the 100% rate than ever claim it.