Case Study: Army Veteran Increases VA Disability Rating From 50% to 80% in Eight Months

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Editor’s note: This VA disability case study is based on a real VA Claims Insider Elite Member experience. Certain identifying details have been withheld to protect the veteran’s privacy.

Overview

A month after Army veteran John helped a fellow Marine navigate the VA disability system, his phone rang. The co-worker had just opened his bank account to find a $16,000 deposit from the VA—and couldn’t believe it was real. 

“It totally changed his life,” John said. “And I learned that from you guys and my Veteran Coach.” 

This wasn’t always John’s story. For more than a decade, he sat at a 50% VA rating—underrated, undercompensated, and lacking the knowledge to change it. Like many combat veterans, he returned home believing he could manage everything on his own. Years of silent struggle followed as he navigated civilian life and a demanding law enforcement career, never fully understanding how the VA disability system worked. 

Eight months after joining the VA Claims Insider Elite Program, John increased his VA disability rating from 50% to 80%. More importantly, he gained the education and confidence to help other veterans—and to keep pushing toward the 100% rating he deserves. 

“I researched VA Claims Insider. I researched other companies,” John said. “I ended up with VA Claims Insider based on all the comments and reviews. I actually looked at the reviews to see if those people are real—and they are.” 

Case Summary

• Veteran: Army veteran John, infantry squad leader 

• Service: 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force 269, Armor—deployed during initial invasion of Iraq 

• Starting VA Rating: 50% (held for over a decade) 

• Current VA Rating: 80% (achieved in 8 months with VA Claims Insider Elite) 

• Goal: 100% VA disability rating 

• Primary Barriers: Lack of guidance post-service, mental health stigma in law enforcement, feeling like ‘just a number’ in traditional VA channels 

• Breakthrough: Discovering he was underrated through VA Claims Insider education, then learning the step-by-step process to increase his rating and help other veterans do the same 

The Challenge: Combat, Transition, and Years Without Guidance

John joined the Army in 1999, fresh out of high school. At the time, there was no war, and his plan was straightforward: to learn fiber optics and communications while securing his future education. That plan changed quickly when a Ranger recruiter approached him early on. 

“The next thing I know, I’m joining the infantry,” he said. 

Assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, John attended Air Assault School and Ranger School. Then came 9/11—and everything changed. 

As part of Task Force 269, Armor, John deployed with the initial invasion of Iraq. As a sergeant and infantry squad leader, he moved city to city up the west side of Iraq, converging on Baghdad. His combat experience was filled with continuous engagements. Combat was challenging enough when the enemy wore uniforms—and even more chaotic when they ditched them for civilian clothes. 

Stop-lossed after reaching Baghdad, John was unable to return home when his initial deployment ended. After eventually being relieved by National Guard reserve units, he returned to Fort Benning before finally being released. 

Less than a month after that, John was at Florida State University, registering for school and reconnecting with high school friends. 

“At first, you think everything’s fine. I’m out of the Army, at college, thinking, ‘This is great.’ And that’s when it just started going downhill,” he said. 

Life After Service: Silence, Stigma, and Missed Benefits

Like many veterans returning from combat, John avoided talking openly about what he was experiencing. Seeking help felt unnecessary—and risky. 

“God bless the Army back then, but when you return from war, who wants to talk to the doctor?” he said. “I thought I could handle it.” 

Before long, two of John’s friends at Florida State convinced him to go to the VA for help. While he received some care, he was offered no guidance or assistance regarding the VA disability process. 

“I had no idea what a VA claim was. I knew nothing about the process. I knew nothing about compensation, none of that stuff,” he said. “I had no idea it was even an option.” 

As John pursued a career in law enforcement, the myths and stigmas surrounding mental health—and what he thought it would do to his career—kept him from pursuing VA disability further. Eventually, one of John’s good friends from the Army revealed his own VA disability, which sparked John’s interest to finally pursue his own benefits. 

Not long after, in 2008, John was granted a 30% VA rating, which was later increased to 50% after a VA appeal. 

Then he stopped. 

“I sat at 50% for a while because I was still struggling and going to therapy,” he said. “I just kept it hidden because of my job.” 

John sat on his 50% VA rating for several years—a decision which, in hindsight, he wished he hadn’t made. Years passed before he realized how much had changed—both within the VA system and within the veteran community. 

The Solution: Discovering VA Claims Insider

After seeing younger soldiers coming into law enforcement and talking openly about their disabilities and struggles, John realized that talking about mental health is much more accepted now than it used to be. Several of these younger veterans also mentioned VA Claims Insider, which prompted John to start investigating. 

“I started doing my research and watching your videos, and that was when I realized I was underrated and under-compensated,” he said. “Your videos really stuck out to me. I tried doing it by myself, and it was absurd.” 

John also tried going through the VA for disability claim assistance—but the experience left him frustrated and feeling invisible. 

“God bless them. But they did nothing for me, honestly,” he said. “Just to get a meeting with them was impossible. I was just a number.” 

What stood out about VA Claims Insider was the education, transparency, and responsiveness. John appreciated all of the content that VA Claims Insider provides and was impressed by the communication and user experience of the Elite program and staff. 

“You guys give out a lot of free information. I also like that you guys called me back. It was just an extremely easy process. It really was,” he said. “And honestly, it went quickly for me—really quick.” 

The coaching model resonated with John. The Elite Program offered structure, step-by-step education, and a clear path forward—but it didn’t do the work for him. “If you’ve got a valid claim, they’re not going to do it for you, but they’re going to educate you through it step by step,” he said. 

The Results: VA Rating Increase from 50% to 80%

In eight months, John increased his VA disability rating to 80%. 

But the impact went far beyond his own claim. 

John has applied the education he received from VA Claims Insider to positively impact the lives of other veterans. He recently helped a former Marine and fellow co-worker get started on his own VA disability journey. 

“I talked him through the process because he had been having some problems. He got registered at the VA and began getting his documentation together,” John said. “I basically walked him through everything I was learning from VA Claims Insider.” 

A month later, John and his wife were getting ready to go out for dinner when his co-worker called. He had just noticed a $16,000 deposit from the VA in his bank account and was surprised and confused. John was quick to congratulate him on winning his claims. 

“It totally changed his life,” John said. “And I learned that from you guys and my Veteran Coach.” 

A New Chapter: Advocacy, Confidence, and Purpose

John continues to manage his own service-connected conditions, including aching knees, headaches, and ringing in his ears. But today, he understands that pursuing VA disability isn’t about weakness—it’s about receiving what was earned through service. 

He’s determined not to give up until he gets the 100% VA disability rating he knows he deserves. 

“I definitely meet the criteria,” he said. “It will be life-changing for me and my family.” 

As John presses forward, his story serves as a resounding call to action, and he encourages other veterans who are struggling to seek assistance and not give up. 

“It’s tough to do it on your own; it really is. If you can’t figure out the process, go get help to figure it out,” he said. “And if you put in the work and trust the process, it’s worth it in the end. Just keep trying.” 

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

Key Takeaways for Other Veterans

• Many veterans remain underrated simply because they lack information. John sat at 50% for over a decade before realizing he was significantly undercompensated. The VA disability system is complex and constantly evolving—education is the first step toward getting what you’ve earned. 

• Mental health stigma keeps too many veterans from pursuing deserved benefits. John’s fear of professional consequences in law enforcement delayed his claims for years. The cultural shift around mental health means it’s more accepted now—and pursuing your benefits doesn’t make you weak. 

• Traditional VA channels often leave veterans feeling lost and frustrated. John described feeling like “just a number” when seeking assistance through VA offices, with meetings nearly impossible to schedule. Specialized support can make the difference between years of stagnation and real progress. 

• Education and step-by-step coaching dramatically change outcomes. The Elite Program didn’t file John’s claim for him—it taught him how to navigate the system himself, step by step. That knowledge empowered him to go from 50% to 80% in eight months. 

• Understanding the system empowers you to help other veterans. John now assists fellow veterans with their claims, recently helping a co-worker receive $16,000 in back pay. When you understand the process, your impact multiplies beyond your own benefits. 

• Persistence matters—it’s never too late to pursue the benefits you earned. John is living proof that veterans can reassess their ratings at any time and push for what they deserve. His journey from 50% to 80% continues toward 100%, and yours can too. 

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. Learn more and start your own success story

• VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims. 

• Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate throughout the claims process. 

• 25,000+ disabled veterans have served in our membership programs since 2016.  

• 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our Elite program.  

• 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews. 

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