Veteran Intel & Strategies

Plain-language evidence guides, VA decision boundaries, and practical record-organization checklists.

Latest Articles

21 recent articles

Orthopedic Evidence

June 4, 2026

VA Flare-Up Evidence Checklist

A practical checklist for documenting flare-up frequency, duration, lost motion, work impact, lay statements, and exam gaps before a VA rating decision.

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VA Guides

Claim Evidence Strategies

Education

What is a DBQ?

Disability Benefits Questionnaires explained. Why relying on the C&P examiner to fill this out is a gamble.

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Evidence

VA Migraine Log Guide

What to track for prostrating attacks, duration, missed work, and the evidence pattern that supports 10%, 30%, or 50% migraine ratings.

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Exam Risk

Missed C&P Exam?

What to do in the first 24 hours, how good cause works, and what evidence to upload so one missed exam does not define the file.

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Myths & Financial Facts

Unemployability Evidence

TDIU Evidence Checklist

What to gather before filing for Individual Unemployability: Form 21-8940, employer records, medical limits, and work-impact proof.

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Process

Intent to File

How an intent to file may affect a potential effective date, what deadline applies, and why VA makes the final determination.

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Condition Guides

Neurological

Radiculopathy from Back Pain

When your back claim includes numbness, weakness, or shooting pain, each affected limb may support a separate nerve rating and bilateral-factor math.

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Digestive

GERD Secondary to PTSD

What changed on May 19, 2024, what DC 7206 now looks for, and how to document GERD and IBS evidence without using the old playbook.

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Digestive

IBS Secondary to PTSD

How DC 7319 works now, what symptom frequency earns 10%, 20%, or 30%, and what evidence best links IBS to service-connected PTSD.

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Physical

Knee Pain

Limitation of Flexion vs. Extension. Understanding the metrics the VA doctor measures.

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Mental Health

Somatic Symptom Disorder

When chronic pain wrecks your mental health, this diagnosis can unlock secondary mental health ratings tied to physical conditions.

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