Episode 16: Trust the Process — It's Your Roadmap

Episode 16: Trust the Process — It's Your Roadmap

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, talk about the mindset many veterans experience during and after the VA claims process — constantly asking, "What comes next?" For those going through the process for the first time, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. But in this conversation, Anthony and Tim explain how the VA process itself can become a roadmap — even if you're not service connected right away. They break down how each step, decision, and piece of feedback from the VA can help you better understand your claim, strengthen your approach, and move forward with more clarity. This episode is just over 12 minutes. Whether you're just starting or have already received a decision, this episode is a reminder that the process isn't just an outcome — it's a guide to getting where you need to be.

Episode 15: Benefits You Earned — VA, State, and Everyday Savings

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, 23-year veteran, break down the additional benefits that come with being VA service-connected — including medical, state, and everyday savings opportunities many veterans don't fully use. This episode is just over 10 minutes. They cover important benefits like VA healthcare access, property tax exemptions, education programs, and state-specific resources, along with everyday savings through verified veteran discount platforms. If you're service connected and want to make sure you're taking full advantage of what you've earned — from healthcare to housing to education — this episode will help you better understand what's available and where to start.

Episode 14: Helping Your Family Understand What You're Going Through

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year Army veteran, talk about something many veterans experience but don't always discuss — helping family members understand what comes with being service connected. Not all conditions are visible, and many veterans carry pain, stress, and challenges that aren't always easy to explain. In this conversation, Anthony and Tim share why that disconnect can happen and how communication can help bridge the gap. This episode is just over 15 minutes. They also discuss simple ways to help your family better understand what your day-to-day experience looks like, how to set expectations, and what support can look like in real life. This episode is for veterans and for family members who want to better understand and support their loved one.

Episode 13: Helping a Fellow Vet With Their Claim

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, walk through a real story of helping a fellow veteran navigate the VA claims process. Tim leads the conversation, breaking down how they approached the claim step by step from establishing service connection to identifying secondary conditions and filing a supplemental claim with stronger supporting evidence. This episode is just over 13 minutes. They discuss what was missed the first time, what changed in the approach, and how understanding the process made a difference in moving the claim forward. If you're feeling stuck, denied, or unsure what to do next, this episode offers a real example of how the right information can help turn things around.

Episode 12: Understanding Your VA Code Sheet

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, a 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, 23-year veteran, explain something many veterans don't even realize they can request — their VA Code Sheet. Your code sheet breaks down every condition connected to your claim and shows how the VA categorized it, including whether conditions are static, involve a bilateral factor, or may be subject to future review. Tim also shares a personal example involving a claim for chronic pain syndrome and how the VA interpreted the claim based on existing service-connected conditions. His experience highlights why understanding how the VA categorizes conditions is so important when filing or reviewing a claim. This episode is just over 14 minutes. If you want a clearer picture of how the VA evaluates your disabilities and how your ratings are structured, this episode explains why requesting your code sheet can be a valuable step.