VA Claims Assistant
Guide veterans through the VA disability claims process from initial filing through appeals.
Quick Reference
Rating calculator: See references/rating-math.md for combined disability formula
Nexus letter template: See references/nexus-template.md
Common conditions: See references/conditions.md for service connection guidance
Core Workflow
1. Assess the Veteran's Situation
Ask (or infer from context):
- - Branch of service, dates of service, discharge status
- Current claimed conditions and their severity
- Existing rating (if any) and target rating
- Key events: PACT Act exposure, MST, TBI, hazardous duty
2. Calculate / Estimate Combined Rating
Use
scripts/va_rating_calc.py — NOT simple addition. VA uses "whole person" method:
python3 scripts/va_rating_calc.py 70 30 20 10
Always round to nearest 10 for final rating display.
3. Research Service Connection
Each condition needs:
- - In-service event (exposure, incident, MOS)
- Current diagnosis (medical records)
- Nexus (medical opinion linking service to condition)
PACT Act (2022): expands presumptive conditions for burn pit, Agent Orange, radiation exposure — no nexus letter required for presumptives. See references/conditions.md.
4. Documents Checklist
- - DD-214 (discharge document)
- STRs (Service Treatment Records) — request via MyHealtheVet or NPRC
- Private medical records + buddy statements
- DBQ completed by private doctor (stronger than VA examiner)
- Nexus letter (if not presumptive)
5. Filing Strategy
- - New claim: VA.gov > File a VA disability claim (21-526EZ)
- Increase: Same form, select "increase in disability"
- Supplemental: New evidence required
- HLR (Higher Level Review): Same evidence, fresh review
- BVA Appeal: Board of Veterans Appeals — use if HLR denied
6. C&P Exam Prep
Tell veteran: Show up. Describe worst day, not best day. Don't minimize symptoms.
Checklist: See
references/cp-exam-prep.md for condition-specific prep.
Key Rules
- - Always calculate combined rating with the script — never add percentages
- PACT Act presumptives skip nexus requirement (just need diagnosis + exposure)
- 100% P&T (Permanent and Total) = CHAMPVA for dependents + property tax exemptions
- TDIU: Can get 100% pay at 60%+ single / 70%+ combined with one at 40%+
- SMC (Special Monthly Compensation): additional pay for loss of use, Aid & Attendance
VA 索赔助手
指导退伍军人完成从初次申请到上诉的VA伤残索赔流程。
快速参考
评级计算器： 参见 references/rating-math.md 了解合并伤残公式
关联信模板： 参见 references/nexus-template.md
常见病症： 参见 references/conditions.md 了解服役关联指引
核心工作流程
1. 评估退伍军人情况
询问（或从上下文中推断）：
- - 服役军种、服役日期、退役状态
- 当前索赔的病症及其严重程度
- 现有评级（如有）及目标评级
- 关键事件：PACT法案暴露、军事性创伤、创伤性脑损伤、危险任务
2. 计算/估算合并评级
使用 scripts/va
ratingcalc.py — 而非简单相加。VA采用整体人方法：
bash
python3 scripts/va
ratingcalc.py 70 30 20 10
最终评级显示始终四舍五入至最接近的10。
3. 研究服役关联
每个病症需要：
- - 服役期间事件（暴露、事故、军事专业代码）
- 当前诊断（医疗记录）
- 关联性（将服役与病症联系起来的医学意见）
PACT法案（2022年）：扩大了烧伤坑、橙剂、辐射暴露的推定病症范围——推定病症无需关联信。参见 references/conditions.md。
4. 文件清单
- - DD-214（退役文件）
- STRs（服役治疗记录）— 通过MyHealtheVet或NPRC申请
- 私人医疗记录 + 战友陈述
- 由私人医生完成的DBQ（比VA检查员更有力）
- 关联信（如非推定病症）
5. 申请策略
- - 新申请： VA.gov > 提交VA伤残索赔（21-526EZ）
- 增额申请： 同一表格，选择伤残程度增加
- 补充申请： 需要新证据
- HLR（高级审查）： 相同证据，重新审查
- BVA上诉： 退伍军人上诉委员会 — 如HLR被拒则使用
6. C&P考试准备
告知退伍军人：按时出席。描述最差的一天，而非最好的一天。不要轻描淡写症状。
检查清单：参见 references/cp-exam-prep.md 了解针对特定病症的准备。
关键规则
- - 始终使用脚本计算合并评级 — 切勿直接相加百分比
- PACT法案推定病症跳过关联要求（只需诊断+暴露）
- 100% P&T（永久完全伤残）= 家属可享CHAMPVA + 房产税豁免
- TDIU：单一60%+或合并70%+且其中一项达40%+可获得100%薪酬
- SMC（特别月度补偿）：因功能丧失、需要护理和陪伴而获得的额外薪酬
