Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

No. Being True to Vets is an independent consulting business. We are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the VA or any other government agency.

Free help is also available from VA-accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and from the VA itself. See our disclaimer for details.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your first consultation call is completely free. If you'd like to work with us after that, we explain our fees during that call, before any paid work begins, so you know exactly what to expect.

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.

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.