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Being True to Vets
Being True to Vets
Start my free consultationCall (938) 267-0760

VA disability claim and rating guidance

Your service mattered.Make sure your VA rating reflects it.

Being True to Vets helps Veterans understand their options and navigate the process of pursuing the VA disability compensation they may be entitled to.

Start my free consultationSee how it works

No pressure. Clear guidance. Veteran-focused support.

Already rated? Try our VA calculator

  • Veteran focusedBuilt around Veterans and their families
  • Clear processYou always know the next step
  • Personalized supportYour situation, not a script
  • Confidential and secureYour information is handled with care

The VA disability process shouldn't feel impossible.

Most Veterans aren't short on determination. They're short on clear answers. These are the questions that stall people most often.

  • Knowing where to beginForms, portals and phone trees, and no obvious first step.
  • Understanding what documentation may be neededWhich records matter, and which ones you already have.
  • Making sense of an existing ratingA decision letter that raises more questions than it answers.
  • Decoding the terminologyC&P, DBQ, nexus, TDIU. A new acronym on every page.
  • Knowing what you can do nextWhether an increase, a review or a new claim fits your situation.
  • Keeping track of it allDates, letters and appointments spread across months.

You don't have to figure everything out by yourself.

Talk with our team

How we can help

Whether you're filing for the first time or think your current rating falls short, we start by helping you understand where you stand.
Compare all services

  • Starting a VA disability claim

    Understand how a first claim works, what the VA looks for, and what to have ready before you file.

    How we help with a first claim

  • VA disability rating review

    Make sense of your current rating, how it was calculated, and the options that may be open to you.

    How a rating review works

  • Disability increase guidance

    For Veterans whose service-connected conditions have worsened since their last rating decision.

    When an increase may apply

  • Claim preparation support

    Help organize your information and understand which documents matter, before you file your claim with the VA.

    How preparation support works

  • Veteran education

    Straight explanations of VA disability topics, from Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams to combined ratings.

    Browse our resources

A clear path forward

Four steps, explained up front. You'll always know where you are and what happens next.
  1. 01

    Step 1 of 4

    Tell us about your situation

    Answer a few short questions, or call us. It takes about three minutes.

  2. 02

    Step 2 of 4

    We review your information

    Our team learns about your circumstances and where you stand with the VA today.

  3. 03

    Step 3 of 4

    Understand your options

    We explain the possible next steps in plain language, including the ones we can't help with.

  4. 04

    Step 4 of 4

    Move forward with confidence

    You leave knowing what comes next, what may be required, and who to call with questions.

Start my free consultation

Takes about three minutes.

Veterans deserve straight answers.

Our standards come from the dog tags on our badge. Every conversation should be traceable to at least one of them.
ServeIntegrity and preparation

  • Veteran-focused

    The entire experience is designed around Veterans and the people who help them.

  • Personalized guidance

    Every Veteran's service and situation is different. Our guidance starts with yours.

SupportPresent for the whole stretch

  • Clear communication

    Complicated VA topics explained in straightforward language, with every acronym spelled out.

  • Transparent process

    We tell you what happens next, and what we can and can't control.

HonorRespect and transparency

  • Respect at every step

    You're the expert on your service. You'll never be treated like a case number.

  • Privacy and security

    We collect only what we need and handle it responsibly. We never sell your information.

Know every option before you choose

Free help with VA claims exists, and you should know about it. Here's what it offers, and why some Veterans also choose to work with us.

Free help from VA-accredited representatives

You don't have to pay anyone to file a VA disability claim. Accredited representatives from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) help Veterans with claims at no cost.

Accredited attorneys and claims agents can also help. They may charge fees in some situations, under rules the VA sets.

Where Veterans often find free help

  • National Veterans Service Organizations with accredited representatives
  • State and county Veterans service offices in many areas
  • The VA itself, on VA.gov or at a VA regional office

The VA's search tool shows accredited representatives and VSOs near you.

Find a VA-accredited representative(opens VA.gov in a new tab)

We'll always tell you about these options. You've earned every one of them.

Need to talk to someone now?

If you're a Veteran in crisis, or worried about one, you can reach the VA's Veterans Crisis Line right now. It's free, confidential and available 24/7, 365 days a year. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to reach out.

Learn more at VeteransCrisisLine.net (opens in a new tab). In an emergency, call 911.

Our mission

Why Veterans consider Being True to Vets

To make sure every Veteran's rating tells the truth about their service.

  • Time with your whole situation

    A one-on-one conversation about your service, your conditions and your current rating, at your pace.

  • Straight answers about a higher rating

    What may support an increase, and what likely won't. We tell you, even when it isn't what you hoped to hear.

  • Help making sense of your paperwork

    Decision letters, ratings and the records that may matter, explained in plain language.

  • Free first call, fees explained up front

    Your first consultation call is free. If you choose to work with us, our fees are explained before any paid work begins.

  • Quick, personal follow-up

    We aim to respond the same business day, and you'll always know who you're talking to.

Years helping Veterans
4
Veterans served
500+
Start my free consultationOr schedule a call

We're an independent consulting business, not accredited by the VA. We can't guarantee any rating or outcome.

Are you wondering what benefits your state provides?

Many states offer Veterans property tax breaks, tuition help, free licenses and more, often tied to your VA rating. Pick your state to see a quick snapshot.

Pick your state

Tap a state to see its benefits.

Use the arrow keys to move between states, or type the first letter of a state.

Wondering what your next step should be?

Tell us a little about your situation in one short form, and our team will call you to talk through your options.
Check if I qualifyOr call (938) 267-0760

One short form, about two minutes

What we'll ask

  • Your name, email and phone number
  • Your country and state of residency
  • Your branch of service
  • Your current VA rating, or if you've never filed
  • Anything else you'd like us to know (optional)

No medical records, Social Security number or VA file number needed.

Veteran disability resources

Plain-language guides to the VA disability system, with every acronym spelled out.
Explore Veteran resources
Ratings4 min read

How VA disability ratings work

VA uses a percentage to describe how much a service-connected condition affects your health and ability to function. Here is how that number is set.

In this guide

  1. 01What a disability rating is
  2. 02How VA decides your rating
  3. 03The VA rating schedule
  4. 04When you have more than one condition
  5. 05After you get a rating
Read the guide
  • C&P exams4 min read

    What is a C&P exam?

    A C&P exam helps VA gather medical information for your claim. Knowing what to expect can make the visit feel more routine.

    Read the guide
  • Combined ratings4 min read

    Understanding VA combined ratings

    If you have more than one rated condition, VA combines them with a method that often surprises Veterans. Here is how the math works.

    Read the guide
  • Increases4 min read

    When can a VA disability rating be reviewed?

    A VA rating can be reviewed if a condition gets worse, if you disagree with a decision, or if VA schedules a re-examination. Here is how each works.

    Read the guide

Questions Veterans ask us

Straight answers, including the ones people don't always want to give.
See all frequently asked questions

Still have a question? Call (938) 267-0760.

What does Being True to Vets do?

We help Veterans understand the VA disability compensation process and their options, whether they're starting a first claim or believe their current rating no longer reflects their service-connected conditions.

That means explaining how ratings work, what the VA generally looks for, which documents may matter, and what your next steps could be, in plain language.

Who can use your services?

U.S. Veterans of every era and branch. Spouses, caregivers and adult children who are helping a Veteran are welcome to contact us too. They're often the ones organizing the paperwork.

Can you help if I already have a VA disability rating?

Yes. Many of the Veterans who contact us already have a rating. We can help you understand how it was reached, how combined ratings work, and whether there are options worth discussing, for example if a condition has worsened.

What information should I have before contacting you?

Nothing is required to start a conversation. If you have them handy, it helps to know your current combined rating (if you have one), the conditions you're thinking about, and roughly when your last VA decision arrived.

Please don't send medical records, your Social Security number or your VA file number through our website forms.

How does the process begin?

You answer a few short questions about your situation through our consultation form, or call us. A member of our team reviews what you shared and calls you to talk through your options. See how it works.

How long does the VA disability process take?

It varies. The VA decides how long a claim takes, and timing depends on the type of claim, the evidence needed and whether exams are scheduled. The VA publishes current average processing times on VA.gov (opens in a new tab).

We'll be honest about what we know and don't know about timing in your situation.

Can you guarantee that my rating will increase?

No, and you should be cautious of anyone who does. The VA alone decides claims and ratings, based on the evidence and its rating criteria.

What we can promise is clear explanations, honest answers and respect for your time, including when the answer isn't what you hoped to hear.

Is my information kept private?

Yes. We collect only what we need to understand your situation and contact you. We don't sell your personal information. Our first form intentionally doesn't ask for medical details. Read our Privacy Policy for the full details.

How can I speak with someone?

Call us at (938) 267-0760, or request a free consultation and we'll call you, or pick a time for us to call. If you'd rather call than fill in a form, that's fine.

You've already served.Let us help you understand what comes next.

Take the first step with a straightforward conversation about your situation.

Start my free consultationCall our team

Busy right now? Schedule a call for later

No pressure. No confusing jargon. Just clear guidance.