Your VA disability claim was denied. But was it missing evidence, the wrong service connection, or a VA rating error?What if you could understand exactly what the person reviewing your VA disability claim is looking for?On this episode of VET S.O.S. Presents: The Scoop, host Kingsley Scott sits down with Dewayne "VA Nugget Man" Kimble, a retired VA rating specialist and U.S. Army veteran who spent 12 years after leaving the military without knowing he qualified for VA disability benefits.Dewayne has worked both sides of the VA claims process. He reveals why veterans get denied, how missing documentation affects disability ratings, and why even a $40,000 back-pay award doesn't necessarily mean the VA got your claim right.In this episode, you'll discover:• Prepare your VA disability claim before separation. Learn why Dewayne recommends documenting medical conditions from your first duty station and preparing your Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim months before your filing window opens.• Understand what VA raters actually evaluate. Discover how medical diagnoses, service connection, nexus evidence, personal statements, and C&P examinations influence disability compensation decisions.• Identify costly mistakes in your VA rating decision. Hear how Dewayne spotted a potentially $10,000–$15,000 effective-date error after a veteran had already received $40,000 in back pay—and discovered a $36,000 error in his own claim.• Respond strategically when your VA claim gets denied. Learn why reading your decision letter multiple times, identifying missing evidence, and understanding Higher-Level Reviews can be more productive than immediately filing another claim.About Dewayne Kimble:Dewayne "VA Nugget Man" Kimble is a U.S. Army veteran, Soldier's Medal recipient, and retired Department of Veterans Affairs Rating Veterans Service Representative. Through KMD89 VA Claims Consulting, his books, and his educational YouTube channel, he helps veterans understand the regulations, evidence requirements, and procedures governing VA disability claims.Website and books: <a href="https://www.kmd89.com">https://www.kmd89.com</a>YouTube: KMD89 VA Claims ConsultingEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00 - Why Understanding VA Claims Changes Everything05:43 - Meet Dewayne "VA Nugget Man" Kimble09:20 - The 12 Years Dewayne Didn't Know About His Benefits20:20 - Medical Documentation and BDD Claims Before Separation23:23 - Intent to File and the Paths to Service Connection26:31 - What VA Rating Specialists Actually Review36:57 - The Three Elements of Direct Service Connection39:20 - Personal Statements, Buddy Letters, and Medical Evidence42:49 - What Veterans Need to Know About C&P Exams46:37 - Documenting Fluctuating Symptoms and Bad Days49:19 - Understanding VA Denial Letters and Appeals50:55 - The $4

VA Disability Claims: What a Former VA Rater Wants You to Know

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