When the VA Rating System Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

The Hidden Benefit for Severe TBI

What happens when a veteran can mostly function on their own, but not quite enough to live safely without help? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorney Francis Jackson explains one of the VA's most overlooked benefits: Special Monthly Compensation T (SMC-T). If a veteran's traumatic brain injury requires ongoing supervision or assistance, even when they aren't living in a nursing home, they may qualify for significantly higher monthly compensation. The challenge is knowing how to recognize it and how to prove it.

Sleep Disorders Beyond Sleep Apnea

When veterans think about sleep-related VA disability claims, sleep apnea usually gets all the attention. But what about insomnia, sleepwalking, night terrors, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorney Francis Jackson and attorney Kristian Terison explore the lesser-known sleep disorders that can impact veterans' lives and VA disability ratings. They discuss how these conditions are evaluated, what evidence can strengthen a claim, and why persistence remains one of the most important tools in the VA claims process.

When the VA Rating System Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

Most veterans understand VA disability ratings as a percentage system with clearly defined rules. But what happens when your symptoms do not fit neatly inside those boxes? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, Attorney Francis Jackson and Attorney Kristian Terison unpack one of the least discussed areas of VA disability law: extra scheduler ratings. They explain why these claims are uncommon, when they matter, and why some veterans may qualify for additional consideration even if their ratings do not appear to tell the full story.

Denied Before? You May Still Have Another Chance with the VA

What if a denied VA claim was not actually the end of the road? Many veterans assume a denial closes the door forever, but that is not always true. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast, attorney Francis Jackson breaks down how veterans may be able to reopen old claims and why new evidence can completely change the outcome.

Why Buddy Statements Can Make or Break a VA Disability Claim

What happens when the VA says there’s “not enough evidence” to prove what really happened during service? In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison break down one of the most overlooked tools in a veteran’s disability claim: buddy statements. From PTSD stressor verification to sleep apnea claims, they explain how the right statement can fill in the gaps when official records fall short.