Case Study: Navy Veteran Increases VA Rating From 40% to 100% Permanent and Total

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

Overview

“I was in tears,” Ron said, staring at his VA decision letter. “I had to gain my composure before I could tell my wife. This is a life-changer.” 

For 27 years, Navy veteran Ron crossed oceans, explored continents, and led teams aboard some of the most demanding ships in the fleet. He served as a Shipboard Engineering Plant Program Manager (NEC 4206), working in confined engine rooms, climbing endless ladders, and hauling heavy equipment day after day. The adventure was unforgettable—but the physical cost was devastating. 

When Ron retired as an E-9 at age 66, he didn’t realize the full extent of his service-connected conditions or that he was significantly underrated. For years, he struggled with chronic pain, numbness spreading through his legs and feet, and repeated surgeries—shoulder replacements, hip replacements, and orthopedic procedures that barely kept him mobile. He assumed his 40% VA disability rating was final and that his worsening conditions didn’t matter to the VA. 

Then he attended ship reunions and spoke with former sailors he had trained. Many carried higher ratings despite similar service. “That made me realize I was seriously underrated,” Ron said. 

Once Ron learned how the VA disability system actually works—and received the right education—everything changed. Less than six months after joining the VA Claims Insider Elite Program, he increased his VA rating from 40% to 80%. With continued support from his Veteran Coach, he gathered evidence for conditions that had never been fully evaluated, including radiculopathy and nerve-related issues tied to his spine. 

When the final decisions arrived, Ron was awarded 100% Permanent & Total along with 16 months of retroactive pay. The journey brought more than financial security—it brought validation, peace of mind, and a renewed sense of control after decades of pushing through pain in silence. 

Case Summary

• Navy veteran Ron increased his VA disability rating from 40% to 100% Permanent & Total after decades of physically demanding shipboard service and worsening health.

• Despite multiple surgeries and chronic nerve-related conditions, Ron was significantly underrated and unaware that he could pursue a rating increase.

• With proper education and coaching, Ron identified previously overlooked and underrated conditions, including radiculopathy tied to his spine.

• In under a year, Ron secured 100% P&T status, along with 16 months of retroactive pay, gaining long-term financial stability and peace of mind.

The Challenge: A Lifetime of Wear and Tear at Sea

Ron joined the Navy in 1974, driven by economic uncertainty at home and the promise of travel and opportunity. After completing boot camp, he was quickly immersed in shipboard life—long days in confined engine rooms, tight spaces filled with heavy equipment, and endless ladders that had to be climbed multiple times per day. 

As a Shipboard Engineering Plant Program Manager (NEC 4206), Ron’s role demanded precision, resilience, and constant physical endurance. He loved the camaraderie and the adventure of seeing the world, but the physical strain was undeniable. His lower back began bothering him early in his career. 

“I’d go to sick bay for my lower back. But the only answer I ever got was 800 mg Motrin,” Ron said. “And the last thing you want to do is go to medical, complain about this or that, particularly when you’re in a leadership position.” 

Like many servicemembers—especially those in leadership roles—Ron pushed through the pain. He didn’t want to be seen as weak or unable to perform his duties. But those seemingly minor injuries were compounding, and over 27 years, they became life-altering. 

Life After Service: Declining Health and Limited Answers

By the time Ron retired as an E-9 at age 66, his body bore unmistakable evidence of decades of high-impact physical work. His symptoms had grown progressively worse—numbness spreading through his legs and feet, escalating pain that couldn’t be ignored, mobility problems that made daily activities difficult, and repeated hospital visits that became routine. 

His surgeries continued to stack up: shoulder replacements, hip replacements, and multiple orthopedic procedures that reflected years of physical strain the Navy had placed on his body. 

Despite these worsening conditions and mounting medical evidence, Ron received only a 40% VA disability rating upon retirement. 

He didn’t know he could request a VA rating increase. He didn’t understand how the VA evaluates worsening conditions or what evidence was needed to prove increased severity. The entire VA system felt impenetrable. 

“It was all Greek to me,” he said. 

Ron assumed that his 40% rating was final—that once the VA made their decision, there was nothing he could do. He believed his worsening health was simply something he’d have to live with, unsupported and unrecognized by the system meant to serve him. 

The realization that something was wrong came unexpectedly. 

Ron began attending ship reunions, reconnecting with sailors he had trained and served alongside—people who had worked the same demanding jobs, climbed the same ladders, hauled the same equipment, and endured the same physical punishment. 

Many of these veterans carried significantly higher VA disability ratings than Ron, despite having similar or even less severe conditions. 

“That made me realize I was seriously underrated,” Ron said. 

This was the moment everything clicked. If other sailors with comparable service and injuries were rated at 70%, 80%, or even 100%, why was he stuck at 40%? What did they know that he didn’t? What had they done differently? 

For the first time, Ron understood that his rating didn’t reflect the true severity of his service-connected conditions—and that he had the right to pursue a VA rating increase. 

The Solution: Discovering VA Claims Insider

Ron came across VA Claims Insider through an online advertisement. After reading reviews from fellow veterans who had successfully increased their ratings, he decided to sign up for the Elite Program. 

What he found was exactly what he had been missing for years: education, personalized insight, and a clear roadmap for navigating the VA disability system. 

The Education That Changed Everything

Through the Elite Program, Ron learned: 

• How the VA actually rates conditions and what criteria they use 

• That his VA rating could (and should) increase as his conditions worsened 

• Which types of medical evidence the VA considers most credible 

• How to properly document his symptoms and their impact on daily life 

• That he had service-connected conditions he’d never even claimed 

The Coaching That Made It Actionable

Working with his Veteran Coach, Ron took a strategic approach. Rather than filing claims blindly, he methodically gathered evidence and identified gaps in his existing rating. His Veteran Coach educated him that conditions like radiculopathy and other nerve-related issues tied to his spine had never been properly evaluated—despite clear medical documentation of these problems. 

First Milestone: 40% to 80% in Under Six Months

Armed with this new knowledge, Ron filed for an increase. Less than six months after joining the Elite Program, his rating jumped from 40% to 80%. 

But the journey didn’t end there. 

Pushing for What He Fully Deserved

With his Veteran Coach’s continued support, Ron took an even deeper look at his medical records. They identified additional service-connected conditions that had been overlooked or underrated in previous evaluations. He gathered comprehensive medical evidence, filed the appropriate claims with proper documentation, and waited for the VA’s decision. 

When the decision letter finally arrived, Ron couldn’t believe what he was reading. 

100% Permanent & Total. 

“I was in tears,” he said. “I had to gain my composure before I could tell my wife. This is a life-changer.” 

Along with the 100% P&T rating came another surprise: 16 months of VA retroactive pay—meaningful financial relief that acknowledged years of being undercompensated for his service-connected disabilities. 

The Results: 40% to 100% Permanent & Total

Ron’s transformation delivered outcomes that extended far beyond the numbers on his rating letter. 

Financial Impact: 

• VA disability rating increased from 40% to 100% Permanent & Total 

• Monthly compensation jumped from approximately $800/month to over $3,900/month (2026 rates) 

• Received 16 months of retroactive pay 

• Gained access to additional VA benefits tied to 100% P&T status 

• Achieved financial security after decades of struggle 

Personal Impact: 

• Received validation that his decades of physical sacrifice were real and recognized 

• Gained peace of mind knowing his service-connected conditions are permanently acknowledged 

• No longer faces the stress of future VA examinations (Permanent & Total means no re-evaluations) 

• Feels empowered and in control of his VA benefits for the first time 

• Can now focus on managing his health rather than fighting the VA system 

For Ron, the rating increase wasn’t just about money—though the financial security is life-changing. It was about finally being seen, heard, and properly compensated for the physical toll of 27 years serving his country. 

His VA rating now accurately reflects the real impact of his service-connected conditions. While he still faces daily health challenges—the numbness hasn’t disappeared, the pain persists, and mobility remains difficult—he now has access to the compensation and resources he earned through years of sacrifice. 

While Ron misses the adventure and camaraderie of Navy life, he doesn’t miss what it did to his body. “It wreaks havoc on it,” he said. 

A New Chapter: Life at 100% P&T

Ron now enjoys his retirement with greater stability and confidence. The financial security of 100% P&T has allowed him to focus on his health and quality of life rather than constantly worrying about money or fighting the VA for recognition. 

He remains deeply grateful for the education he received through the VA Claims Insider Elite Program—and he’s passionate about helping other veterans avoid the years of confusion and frustration he experienced. 

Ron’s Message to Fellow Veterans: 

“Never give up. Keep the goal in mind, and you’ll get there.” 

Ron’s story is a testament to perseverance, proper education, and the strength veterans gain when they learn to advocate for themselves with the right support. His journey proves that it’s never too late to pursue the rating you deserve—even if you’ve been underrated for years. 

Editor’s note: Certain identifying details have been withheld to respect the privacy of the veteran and their family. 

Main Takeaways for Other Veterans

1. You May Be Underrated Without Knowing It

Many veterans (like Ron) retire with ratings that don’t reflect the true severity of their service-connected conditions. If you’ve been rated at the same level for years while your health has declined, you may be significantly underrated. 

2. Your VA Rating Can Increase When Conditions Worsen 

The VA allows for rating increases when your service-connected conditions get worse or when new medical evidence demonstrates increased severity. Your initial rating is not final—it can and should change as the severity of your conditions change. 

3. Education About the VA System Changes Everything 

Understanding how the VA evaluates claims, what evidence they consider credible, and which conditions can be rated separately transforms your ability to advocate effectively for yourself. 

4. Coaching and Personalized Support Make a Measurable Difference 

Ron’s success wasn’t accidental. Having a Veteran Coach who could review his specific case, identify gaps, and coach him through the process made the difference between staying at 40% and reaching 100% P&T. 

5. Medical Evidence Must Be Properly Documented 

It’s not enough to have service-connected conditions—you need medical records that clearly document their severity and impact on your daily life. Learning what evidence the VA needs is critical to success. 

6. Some Conditions Go Unrated Because Veterans Don’t Know to Claim Them 

Ron had radiculopathy and nerve-related issues for years but didn’t know these could be rated separately. Many veterans have secondary conditions, mental health issues, or other ratable conditions they’ve never claimed. 

7. You’re Not Alone in This Struggle 

Thousands of veterans face the same confusion, frustration, and underrating that Ron experienced. The VA system is complex and difficult to navigate without proper education—but support is available. 

8. Persistence Pays Off—But Strategic Persistence Pays Off Faster 

Ron’s journey shows that filing the right claim at the right time, with the right evidence, dramatically accelerates success. Random claims without proper documentation rarely succeed. Strategic, well-documented claims get results. 

9. It’s Never Too Late 

Ron was 66 years old when he started his journey. Whether you retired recently or decades ago, you can still pursue the VA rating you deserve if your conditions have worsened or were never properly evaluated. 

10. The Right VA Rating Brings More Than Money 

While the financial impact is significant, Ron’s story shows that getting properly rated also brings validation, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on health and quality of life rather than constantly fighting the VA system. 

ARE YOU UNDERRATED BY THE VA? WE GOT YOUR SIX!

If you’re living with worsening service-connected conditions but haven’t filed for an increase in years—or if you’re confused about how the VA system actually works—you’re not alone. Ron’s story shows that with the right education, approach, and persistence, it’s possible to get the VA rating that truly reflects your service-connected disabilities. 

Elite Member Ron went from 40% to 100% Permanent & Total in under a year.  

Could you be underrated by the VA? 

Are you ready to join the Elite Membership program? 

If we don’t win, you don’t pay! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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