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40% to 100% VA Rating Increase: Elite Member Success Story of Ron Rosenberg
Navy Veteran Ron Rosenberg has seen it all. His military career took him around the world—from the Mediterranean to Antarctica, the Caribbean to the Orient, and countless ports in between. He loved the adventure, the camaraderie, and the challenges of life on the open water.
But behind those 27 years of service was a body that took a serious toll from years in the confined and physically demanding environment aboard Navy ships.
It wasn’t until later that Ron realized the full extent of his condition—and how to finally get a VA rating increase and the 100% VA disability compensation and benefits he deserved.
The Call to Serve
Ron joined the Navy in 1974 at the height of a major recession. Pittsburgh steel mills had shut down, and economic prospects near his hometown in rural Northwest Pennsylvania were bleak.
For Ron, joining the Navy felt like a perfect choice.
“I loved the thought of going on a ship, sailing across the pond. Visiting different ports,” he recalls.
After meeting with a recruiter and passing his ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test, Ron shipped out to boot camp. A month later, he was on the open sea aboard a Navy ship traveling towards the Mediterranean. His military adventures had begun.
Ron went on to serve as a Shipboard Engineering Plant Program Manager (NEC 4206). He enjoyed his time in the Navy—the daily challenges and the spirit of teamwork—and all the places he traveled. “I don’t think there’s a continent I haven’t stepped on,” he says.
Yet, all the while, his body was paying the price. Climbing countless ladders, working in cramped engine rooms, lifting heavy equipment, and torquing his body in tight spaces—the wear and tear was undeniable.
“I’d go to sick bay for my lower back. But the only answer I ever got was 800 mg Motrin,” Ron says. “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.”
All of the daily challenges of Navy life would later manifest into debilitating health problems.
The Physical Toll of Life at Sea
By the time Ron retired (E-9) at age 66, his body was far from the prime condition it had once been in. As his issues continued to worsen, he often dealt with numbness in his legs and feet. His hospital visits also increased, and he underwent multiple surgeries—including shoulder and hip replacements.
Discovering the Path to a VA Rating Increase
Yet despite years of struggling with his health, Ron didn’t realize he was underrated. He also didn’t know he could apply for a VA disability increase.
Upon retiring, he had been granted a 40% VA rating, but nobody told him he could apply for a VA disability increase if his conditions worsened over time. “It was all Greek to me,” he said.
As his health deteriorated and visits to the doctor became more frequent, Ron began to realize that his 40% rating didn’t reflect the reality of his service-related injuries. He also heard from fellow veterans who were pursuing their own VA disability.
“At ship reunions, I’d talk to younger veterans, the ones I trained, who had already received higher ratings,” he said, “That made me realize I was seriously underrated.”
Joining the Elite Program at VA Claims Insider
Then Ron came across an online ad for VA Claims Insider. After reading the veteran reviews, he signed up. Less than six months after joining the Elite Membership Program at VA Claims Insider, his VA rating increased from 40% to 80%.
But he wasn’t stopping there.
With the support of his VA Claims Insider Coach, Ron began to dig deeper into his service-related conditions, including his radiculopathy. After filing his claim, he waited for the VA to make their decision.
After months of waiting, Ron finally received the news he had been waiting for. He had been approved for 100% Permanent and Total VA Disability.
“I was in tears,” he said, “I had to gain my composure before I could tell my wife. This is a life-changer.”
In addition to the significant increase in his monthly compensation, Ron was also due 16 months of VA retroactive pay.
A New Chapter
Ron’s health is still a daily challenge, but after decades of struggling, he finally found the support and resources to get the VA compensation and benefits he deserves.
While he misses the Navy and the camaraderie it brought, Ron doesn’t miss what it did to his body. “It wreaks havoc on it,” he said.
Ron’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the proper guidance. By connecting with the right people and taking action, he transformed his VA disability from a frustrating process into a success that will help him live out his retirement with peace of mind and financial stability.
Ron is grateful for the support and guidance he received in the VA Claims Insider Elite Membership Program and is eager to share his experience with other veterans.
Ron encourages other veterans pursuing their VA disability not to quit. “Never give up,” he says, “Keep the goal in mind, and you’ll get there.”
Ready to Take Control of Your VA Benefits?
If Ron’s story resonates with you, don’t wait. Become an Elite Member today and get the expert guidance you need to get the VA compensation and benefits you’ve earned. Your success could be just around the corner.
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1 rated Elite program.
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Eric Webb
Eric has written and worked in the field of Veterans Disability since 2020 and enjoys writing educational content for the veteran population. His prior work has been published in the Official Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He holds a Degree in Health and Exercise Science.
