Case Study: Air Force Veteran Wins 100% VA Rating After Years of Denials

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Editor’s note: This Air Force Veteran VA disability case study is based on a real VA Claims Insider Elite Member experience.

Overview

After nearly three decades of chronic health issues, denials, and misdiagnoses, U.S. Air Force veteran Marty finally reached the milestone he’d fought for: a 100% permanent and total (P&T) VA disability rating. 

From a mysterious rash in Alaska to life-threatening surgery, Marty’s case exemplifies endurance. It’s also proof that with the right guidance, veterans can overcome years of frustration and finally get the benefits they deserve. 

“If it weren’t for my coach, I probably would’ve given up,” Marty said. “I feel like she grabbed me by the hand and dragged me across the finish line. She was my North Star.” 

Case Summary

• Air Force veteran Marty overcame nearly 30 years of VA denials and misdiagnoses to secure a 100% permanent and total disability rating. 

• Exposed to jet fuel and chemicals during service, Marty developed a mysterious rash leading to Gulf War Syndrome symptoms and eventual medical discharge at 10%. 

• After reaching 90% on his own amid worsening health crises, Marty joined VA Claims Insider’s Elite Program for expert coaching. 

• With dedicated guidance, Marty achieved 100% P&T, gaining financial stability, validation, and encouragement for other veterans to persist. 

The Challenge: From Jet Fuel to a Mystery Diagnosis

Marty’s path to the Air Force started in 1992 with a simple dream and a bold decision. 

“I didn’t want to work in glass factories like my brother and dad,” he said. “So one Monday morning, I just woke up and joined the Air Force before anyone could talk me out of it.” 

After training, he was assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona, where he worked in petroleum, oil, and lubricants, fueling and servicing aircraft. Later, he transferred to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where he managed jet fuel storage and offloading from pipelines and trains. 

That’s where things took a sudden turn. 

One morning in 1994, Marty woke up with what appeared to be a mosquito bite on his arm. Within weeks, the irritation spread to his entire body. What started as a rash turned into painful blisters that left him unable to sleep or function. 

“The rash spread from my arm to my head, down to my feet,” he said. “I didn’t know what was happening.” 

Marty was medically discharged from the Air Force with only a 10% VA rating. 

The Struggle Continues: Gulf War Syndrome and Declining Health

Back home in Oklahoma, Marty’s symptoms worsened. Rashes, migraines, muscle pain, and insomnia dominated his days. His doctors struggled to explain his condition until one quietly told him the truth. 

“He said, ‘I’m going to tell you what you have. You have Gulf War Syndrome,’” Marty recalled.

Though Marty never deployed directly to the Gulf, his exposure to jet fuel, chemicals, and inoculations caused symptoms resembling those reported by Gulf War veterans. Still, the stigma around Gulf War Syndrome left him without real recognition or support. 

Over the next two decades, he fought to raise his VA rating from 10% to 90%. But he never achieved full benefits. 

By 2016, the constant pain, insomnia, and flare-ups drove him into depression. He faced new physical battles: a blood clot in his main aorta, life-threatening surgery, and the loss of nearly half of his small intestine and colon. 

“When you burn like that … it almost feels like it’s driving you insane,” he said. 

Marty was mentally, physically, and financially exhausted. 

The Solution

In 2021, Marty stumbled across VA Claims Insider’s YouTube channel, where founder Brian Reese explained how veterans could take control of their claims. 

“I was weak, couldn’t work, and running out of options,” Marty said. “I took a leap of faith and joined the Elite Program, hoping to finally get the 100% rating I knew I deserved.” 

That decision changed everything. 

Marty was paired with a Veteran Coach who educated him step-by-step through the process. 

“My coach was absolutely amazing, insanely patient,” he said. “She was my first coach, and I thank God for that.” 

Marty organized decades of medical documentation, completed a disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ), and submitted multiple claims and higher-level reviews. 

When the VA initially denied one claim and approved another for only 10%, Marty’s 90% rating remained unchanged. He was crushed, but his coach kept him focused. 

“She kept me moving forward,” he said. “She wouldn’t let me quit.” 

The Results: 100% Permanent and Total

A week later, Marty logged into his eBenefits portal to check an appointment, and he froze. 

Next to his name and branch of service, it read, “100%.” 

“I thought it was a mistake,” he said. “Then I opened the decision letter and saw they’d raised one of my disabilities to 30%. Down at the bottom, it read, ‘These disabilities are considered permanent and total.’ I had goosebumps. 

“My wife and I were both in tears. Stunned. Shocked. Probably all of the emotions.” 

After decades of pain, confusion, and health scares, Marty finally received the 100% P&T rating he earned through service and perseverance. 

The Impact

Today, Marty continues to appeal for back pay corrections but has no complaints. His VA rating increase has provided not only financial stability but also a sense of closure and validation. 

“I understand the magnitude of going from 90% to 100%,” he said. “The tax breaks alone are massive. But more than that, it’s knowing I finally got what I deserved.” 

He encourages other veterans to take that same step of faith. 

“Don’t wait. Don’t give up. You owe it to yourself and your family to get the help you need,” Marty said. “If it weren’t for my coach, I’d still be lost. She was my North Star.” 

Key Takeaways for Other Veterans

• Never stop advocating for yourself. Even small percentage increases can change your life. 

• Find the right support. An Elite Veteran Coach can eliminate decades of confusion and paperwork. 

• Your story matters. Even if you were discharged years ago, it’s never too late to get what YOU DESERVE.

• Healing takes courage. Physical recovery is hard, but emotional recovery takes strength, patience, and community. 

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Certain identifying details have been withheld to respect the privacy of the veteran and their family. 

About the VA Claims Insider Elite Program

The Elite Membership Program supports veterans in building stronger VA disability claims through education, expert coaching, and access to medical evidence through our preferred provider network. More than 25,000 veterans have successfully increased their VA ratings and secured the VA compensation and benefits they earned through service.

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