0% Service Connection Has Value
Unlocks free VA healthcare, 10-point federal hiring preference, and opens the door to secondary claims under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
38 C.F.R. § 3.310
Rating Reductions Require Due Process
5+ years: sustained improvement required. 20+ years: cannot be reduced except for fraud.
38 C.F.R. § 3.105(e), § 3.344
Supplemental vs. Original Claims
File a Supplemental (VA Form 20-0995) with new evidence to preserve your effective date.
38 C.F.R. § 3.2501
C&P Exam: Report Your Worst Days
Examiners must test ROM per Correia. For flare-ups, they must estimate loss per Sharp v. Shulkin.
M21-1, Part IV.i.3
Appeals: Three Lanes Under AMA
Supplemental (~92 days), Higher Level Review (~141 days), or Board Appeal (~853 days).
38 C.F.R. § 19.5
BDD: File 180 Days Before Separation
Benefits Delivery at Discharge. Compensation starts the day after discharge.
M21-1, Part III.iv.5