Elite Success With Brian Cook: His Path to 100% VA Disability

Elite Success with Brian Cook: His Path to 100% VA Disability

After years of being underrated, Army Veteran Brian Cook finally found the strategic support and expert guidance he needed to secure the VA compensation and benefits he deserved.

Since joining the Elite Program at VA Claims Insider, Cook has successfully increased his VA disability rating from 70% to 100% Permanent and Total (P&T). 

This is his Elite Member Success story.

From Small-Town Idaho to Serving the Nation

Cook grew up in Preston, Idaho, a small town in the southeast corner of the state. He had an early desire to serve his country, and after high school, he joined the Army National Guard. 

Transitioning from the Guard to full-time service in 1984, Cook went from a 13B to a 12B Combat Engineer, a role that he saw as both challenging and rewarding—and one that offered him an enticing sign-on bonus. 

Cook attended basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, and later served in various locations, including Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Nuremberg, Germany, and a combat deployment during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Cook’s military duties involved clearing obstacles, building bridges, and providing support for infantry units. He also worked with explosives and other hazardous materials during his time on active duty.

In the months prior to deploying for Desert Storm, Cook suffered a torn meniscus in his knee. Instead of undergoing an operation to repair his tear, he was told surgery could wait and that he would be fine. 

But Cook’s knee never healed properly. 

The injury eventually led him to separate from the Army in September 1991, after seven years of service. Instead of a medical discharge, Cook received a regular discharge under medical conditions.

“They gave me a week to clear and get out,” Cook recalls, “It was basically, ‘turn in all your stuff and have a great life.’”

Cook was granted a 10% VA disability rating.

Transitioning Out and Navigating VA Disability

After leaving the military, Cook faced difficulties transitioning back into civilian life. 

His knee injury never fully healed and the resulting scar tissue left him in chronic pain. 

By 1995, Cook began to realize he was severely underrated for his disabilities. 

Due to his unfamiliarity with the VA disability claims process, navigating the system initially presented challenges. During his initial claim he underwent a bad C&P exam. His VA disability increased to a 20% VA rating but was still well below what he knew he deserved.

As the years went by Cook was able to get himself up to a 30% VA disability rating before he found some help from the DAV. “The DAV helped, but they didn’t seem to have the drive to do much more than help with filling out forms,” he said.

In 2013, Cook managed to get a 100% temporary VA disability—which was later reduced to 70% following a reevaluation.

Frustrated, Cook knew he needed more help.

Eventually, he discovered VA Claims Insider and signed up for the Elite Membership Program.

A Life-Changing Decision: Joining the Elite Program

Working with his Veteran Coach, Cook’s VA disability journey began to gain momentum. Within just a few months, his VA rating shot up from 70% to 90%. 

But it didn’t stop there. 

Before long, Cook boosted his VA disability rating to 100%. His determination and the guidance from VA Claims Insider made all the difference.

Cook’s experience with the Elite Program was transformative. He found that his Veteran Coach knew the VA system inside and out, which allowed him to get the results he knew he deserved in less time. 

“Don’t Wait.”

Brian’s advice to fellow veterans who are struggling with the VA claims process is straightforward: Don’t wait. 

“Between 1995-2013, I probably lost well over $200,000 by not getting my claims approved sooner,” he said. 

Cook believes many veterans like him waste years trying to navigate the system on their own and ultimately lose out on VA compensation and benefits they’ve earned. With the right support, however, the process can move much more quickly, and veterans can secure the VA ratings they deserve.

Cook’s story highlights what’s possible when veterans partner with the right experts. With the help of VA Claims Insider, he was able to obtain the 100% VA rating he knew he deserved and secure financial stability for himself and his family.

Are You Next?

If you’re ready to take the next step toward improving your VA disability rating and unlocking the benefits you deserve, it’s time to take action. Brian’s story is just one example of what can happen when veterans receive the right support. 

The VA Claims Insider Elite Program has helped 25,000+ veterans like Brian secure the VA compensation and benefits they earned through service. Join the Elite Program today and start your own journey toward the rating and compensation you deserve.

About VA Claims Insider

• VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
• Work directly with a VA claims coach who can help lead 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.
• 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews.

Author

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.