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ABOUT CLAIM RECON

Built by a veteran who learned the system from the inside out.

My name is Cope. I served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2012 as a 15G UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairer with the 101st Airborne Division. I deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

After the Army, I worked as a U.S. government contractor from 2018 to 2024. Afghanistan again. Iraq. Egypt. Kuwait. Taiwan. Six years, five countries.

When I came home for good, I filed my VA disability claim. I expected it to be straightforward. It was more complex than I anticipated.

THE CHALLENGE

The VA system is complex. The information exists it is just hard to find.

The VA rates disabilities using a formula defined in 38 C.F.R. Part 4 the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The raters who decide claims follow the M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. These are public documents. But most veterans never see them.

The claims process is detailed and the regulations are dense. Many veterans turn to consultants, law firms, or coaching programs for help navigating it often at significant cost. Some charge thousands of dollars. Others take 20-33% of backpay.

I decided to learn the system myself. I read the regulations. I pulled my C-file through FOIA. I studied how raters are trained to apply the rating criteria. I navigated the federal appeals process pro se. And I earned my 100% Permanent and Total rating.

THE SOLUTION

Give veterans the same information the raters use.

Claim Recon is not a law firm. Not a VSO. Not a coaching program. It is a set of tools that show you exactly what the VA looks at when they rate your claim.

Every tool on this platform uses publicly available VA rating criteria. The calculator uses the same VA math formula the raters use. The condition guides cite the specific diagnostic codes from 38 C.F.R. Part 4. The C&P exam prep tools are built from the actual Disability Benefits Questionnaires that examiners fill out.

I built this because no veteran should need a $3,000 consultant to understand how the VA rates a knee condition. The answer is in Diagnostic Code 5260. It is public information. You just need someone to show you where to look.

SERVICE RECORD
BRANCH
U.S. Army
UNIT
101st Airborne Division
MOS
15G — UH-60 Black Hawk
SERVICE
2006–2012
DEPLOYMENT
Afghanistan (OEF)
CONTRACTING
2018–2024 (5 countries)
VA RATING
100% Permanent & Total
FEDERAL EXPERIENCE
Pro se appeals process
CERTIFICATION
Six Sigma Black Belt
AUTHOR
The VA Playbook (Amazon)
WHAT CLAIM RECON IS NOT
Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Not a law firm, not VA-accredited, not a VSO
We do not file, prepare, or prosecute VA disability claims
We do not take a percentage of your backpay. Ever.
We do not make medical diagnoses or give legal advice
WHAT CLAIM RECON IS
Educational tools using publicly available VA rating criteria under 38 C.F.R. Part 4
Built by a veteran, for veterans. One person. No investors. No board.
From $29.99/month. No percentage of backpay. Cancel anytime.
348 condition guides. 450+ secondary conditions. C&P exam prep. VA math calculator.
Every tool cites the specific regulation, statute, or M21-1 section it references
The VA has a formula. Now you do too.
Free Calculator Start Claim Prep
Read The VA Playbook on Amazon
© 2026 ClaimRecon LLC. Veteran-owned and operated. Educational tools only not legal advice.