Resources | Veteran Business Support & Guides

Resources & Helpful Information

Not ready to reach out? That’s okay. Here are resources you can use today.

These guides and tools are designed to help veterans and small businesses take confident steps forward — whether that means filing for VA benefits or starting a new venture.

Steps to Start a Successful Veteran-Owned Business

Practical guidance for veterans preparing to start or certify a business.

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Before opening your business, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right knowledge—and veterans have access to exceptional, no-cost educational opportunities designed specifically for them. 

Programs like Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) offer intensive training and networking through initiatives such as Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) and Boots to Business. 

The DAV Patriot Boot Camp delivers high-impact mentorship and startup resources to veteran entrepreneurs and their spouses. The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) at the University of Florida empowers disabled veterans with hands-on instruction, mentoring, and business development support. Additionally, the Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) offer personalized business counseling, training, and assistance with accessing capital. 

These programs serve as critical launchpads. They arm veterans with the insight, confidence, and community needed to transition from military service to successful business ownership.

But education is only the beginning. Before your business can pursue federal contracts or certifications, it must first exist in the eyes of the law. The process starts with the Secretary of State office. This is not a federal agency. It is in the state where you choose to incorporate.

Take Dana, a retired veteran ready to offer project management consulting to federal agencies. She had the experience and the vision—but when she tried to register for a DUNS number and SAM.gov, she hit a wall. Her business didn’t legally exist. Without incorporating—whether as an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp—and securing an Employer Identification Number (EIN), she couldn’t proceed. That delay cost her valuable time.

Incorporating in your chosen state legitimizes your business. It also defines your legal structure, tax responsibilities, and operational framework. It’s the vital first step before applying for a CAGE code, pursuing SBA certifications, or bidding on federal contracts.

Below are some helpful links if you are ready to work on Federal recognition and certification:

–SBA – Dynamic Small Business Search
–North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) U.S. Census Bureau
–Small Business Size Standards
–D&B D-U-N-S Number Lookup
–SAM.gov | Workspace
–CAGE
–MySBA Certifications

Thinking About Filing for VA Disability? Read This First

Clear, actionable advice for veterans preparing to launch or certify their business.

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If you’re reading this, someone probably told you, “You should file a VA claim.” Maybe they’ve been saying it for years. Maybe it’s the first time you’re thinking about it seriously. Either way, I’ve been where you are—wondering if it’s worth the time, energy, and vulnerability.

Let me tell you something I wish someone had told me sooner, 13 years sooner: it’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to want clarity before you step into the process. So let me walk you through the VA disability claims journey—step by step—with free resources I personally trust, and some rough timeframes to expect.

For me, this type of work is largely about supporting our fellow veterans. While I do charge a small fee that only is payable if you receive a rating it reflects the value provided and the collaborative nature of our work, please know that the veteran community is the primary motivation for me.

Step 1: Determine If You Qualify
Timeframe: Immediate – 1 week

You need a current diagnosis, evidence that the condition was caused or worsened during military service, and a “nexus” connecting the two.

Free Resources:

If you’re not sure, connect with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). They work for you, not the government.

Step 2: File Your Initial Claim (Intent to File First)
Timeframe: 8 hours to prepare + VA average: 125–150 days

Start by submitting an Intent to File. That locks in your effective date while you gather evidence. Then you file the full claim.

Free Resources:

Step 3: Evidence Gathering & Adjudication
Timeframe: 4 to 5 months average (can vary)

The VA reviews medical evidence, service treatment records, and may schedule a C&P exam (Compensation & Pension).

Free Resources:

Step 4: Decision & Rating Letter
Timeframe: Included in the 125–150 day total (Step 2)

The VA issues a decision: denied, granted, or partial. You’ll get a rating decision letter explaining why.

Free Resources:

Step 5: Appeal or Supplemental Claim (if denied or underrated)
Timeframe: Varies greatly – 4 to 18 months depending on option

You can:

  • Request a Higher-Level Review (125–150 days)
  • Submit a Supplemental Claim with new evidence (125–150 days)
  • Appeal directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals (average: 12–18 months)

Free Resources:

Step 6: Sustainment – Updates, Increases, Secondary Claims
Timeframe: Ongoing (review every 3–5 years or as conditions worsen)

Disabilities change over time. You can request increases, add secondary conditions (like depression caused by chronic pain), or file for TDIU if you can’t work.

Free Resources:

Final Thoughts
Starting a VA claim is a personal decision—one that can stir up emotion, old memories, and self-doubt. But you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to a VSO, or myself get educated, and move at your own pace. There are people—like me—who once hesitated too. And we’re all better for finally taking that step.

You’ve served. You’ve earned this. And your well-being matters.

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Need a Hand Navigating It All?

If you’re feeling unsure or want help applying this information to your situation, Lou is here to guide you through the next steps — personally and directly.

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