Blog Archives
The Missing Millions: Why So Many Veterans Still Lack Disability Ratings
In the United States today, a significant portion of the veteran population remains without a service-connected disability rating—even though many receive ongoing care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This gap affects millions and stems from long-standing structural issues and common misunderstandings.
How Many Veterans Are Unrated?
Recent federal data shows:
17.8 million veterans currently live in the U.S.
Only 5.2 million (about 30%) have a service-connected disability rating.
That leaves roughly 12.5 million veterans without a rating, including an estimated 6 million who separated before disability assessments became part of the mandatory out-processing process.
Before the mid-1990s and early 2000s reforms, the DoD did not require a disability evaluation as part of separation or retirement. Millions of veterans left service with no assessment and never filed later simply because the process was unclear or unknown.
Two VA Systems — and They Don’t Communicate
A critical fact many veterans do not know:
VA Healthcare and VA Disability Compensation are completely separate systems.
Receiving VA medical care does not create or update a disability rating.
Diagnoses, imaging, or treatment inside VA healthcare records are not reviewed for disability compensation unless a veteran files a claim.
No condition—primary or secondary—moves into the disability system automatically.
Many veterans assume that being treated for chronic pain, orthopedic injuries, sleep issues, or mental health conditions means their disability file is being updated. It isn’t. Only a formal claim triggers review.
The Impact on Veterans
Millions of veterans who never filed a claim at all.
Veterans with worsening conditions who never requested rating increases.
VA healthcare patients with serious diagnoses that were never evaluated for service-connection.
Missed compensation, lost benefits, and reduced access to programs tied to rating thresholds.
A single misconception—“VA healthcare updates my disability rating”—can cost a veteran years of deserved benefits.
What Every Veteran Should Do Now
To ensure disability benefits reflect current health conditions, veterans should:
1. Review their conditions regularly
Check for new diagnoses, worsening symptoms, or secondary conditions.
2. File new or supplemental claims
Use VA.gov, mail, or accredited submission channels to request evaluation.
3. Understand the system
VA healthcare records do not update disability ratings. A claim must be submitted.
4. Track secondary conditions
Issues like sleep apnea, depression, migraines, radiculopathy, GERD, or joint degeneration often stem from service-connected primaries.
Veterans who separated before mandatory disability evaluations around 2010 are especially vulnerable because many were never informed of the modern process.
Closing the Gap
With only ~30% of veterans holding a disability rating—and millions eligible but unrated—awareness is essential. Understanding that VA healthcare and VA disability compensation operate independently is the first step toward ensuring every veteran receives the benefits they earned through service.
Need Help Understanding Your Claim Path?
If you or a veteran you know is unsure about eligibility, secondary conditions, or how to properly file, guidance is available. Filing a claim is not automatic—but it can be straightforward when you understand the rules and requirements.
VA Disability Claims: Clear and Simple Support
Filing for disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be a complex and frustrating process. I provide a straightforward service designed to make it easier for veterans to receive the benefits they have earned.
Here is how I work:
- Payment only if benefits are awarded. My fee is twenty percent of the initial back payment from the VA. If an appeal is needed, the same structure applies. After that, the veteran owes nothing further.
- Based on federal standards. Because the VA does not set rates for consulting, I align with the Social Security Administration’s guideline of twenty-five percent and reduce it by five percent. This keeps my fee at twenty percent, below a recognized federal benchmark.
- No long-term obligations. Veterans can stop working with me at any time after providing notice. There are no hidden commitments or recurring fees.
- Everything in writing. I use a simple written contract that explains all terms clearly, in plain language. Veterans know exactly what to expect before we begin.
- Who I work with. Most of the veterans I serve are those who have had bad experiences with Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) or firms, those who have grown frustrated with the VA, and those who may not believe they deserve this benefit from a grateful nation.
My goal is to provide a fair, transparent, and effective path through the VA process, with clear terms and no surprises.
If you are a veteran who would like help filing for VA disability benefits, contact me at lou@loujswz.com
or 706-332-6005.
