Victory Over V.A. Podcast

Many veterans struggle with daily tasks without realizing they may qualify for additional VA benefits. In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast , attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison explain Aid and Attendance benefits, who qualifies, common misconceptions, and practical steps veterans can take to strengthen a claim.

Could one of the biggest changes to VA disability benefits in years be good news for veterans? In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison break down proposed changes to the VA's mental health rating system. From a new minimum rating for service-connected mental health conditions to a framework that looks beyond employment alone, these updates cou...

Tinnitus has long been one of the most common disability claims in the VA system. But proposed changes could reshape how veterans pursue compensation for ringing in their ears and potentially eliminate tinnitus as a standalone claim. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , attorney Francis Jackson and attorney Kristian Terison break down what these proposed changes could mean for veterans...

Could thousands of veterans lose access to one of the VA's most significant disability ratings? In this episode of the Victory Over VA Podcast, attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison discuss the VA's proposed changes to sleep apnea disability ratings and why veterans with unfiled claims may need to act sooner rather than later. They break down what the proposed rule could mean, who may be...

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 nursin...

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 rating...

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 unc...

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.

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...

Many veterans believe toxic exposure only applies to places like Vietnam or Iraq. But what if the real risk was closer than you think? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , we uncover the hidden exposures happening on everyday military bases and what veterans need to know to connect their conditions to service.

Neurological conditions do not follow a script. Some days are manageable, others are overwhelming. So how does the VA measure something that constantly changes? In this episode, we break down how neurological disability claims are evaluated, and what veterans can do to make sure their real, daily experience is fully understood.

What if the key to winning your VA disability claim isn’t speed, but strategy? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , attorneys Alexandra and Francis Jackson break down what it really means to “play the long game.” From filing early to building evidence over years, this conversation reveals why patience and persistence are not just helpful, they are essential.

What do you do when the VA doesn’t even list your condition? For many veterans, that moment feels like a dead end. But in this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , we unpack why “unlisted” doesn’t mean “uncovered,” and how the right strategy can still turn a denied claim into a win.

Celiac disease is finally recognized by the VA as its own condition, but that doesn’t mean getting benefits is simple. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , we break down how veterans can establish service connection, prove severity, and avoid common mistakes that lead to denied claims. If you’re dealing with flare-ups, fatigue, or unexplained symptoms, this conversation could change ho...

At first glance, the difference between a “static” and a “chronic” condition might seem like technical VA language. But for veterans navigating disability claims, this distinction can shape everything, from reexaminations to long-term ratings. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , attorneys break down what these terms really mean, and how understanding them can protect your benefits and...

Pancreatitis can be painful, unpredictable, and difficult to prove in a VA claim. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , we break down how the VA rates pancreatitis, what evidence actually matters, and why documentation could be the difference between a denial and the benefits you deserve.

For veterans navigating the VA disability system, deadlines can mean the difference between receiving years of back benefits or starting the process all over again. In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , attorneys Francis Jackson and Kristian Terison break down the most important appeal deadlines in the VA system and explain how missing one can affect your claim. If you’re pursuing VA di...

What exactly is a temporary VA disability rating , and should veterans be concerned if they receive one? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , attorneys Francis Jackson and Alexandra Jackson break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the VA disability system. From temporary 100% ratings after surgery to placeholder ratings while the VA gathers evidence, they explain how these dec...

What if the VA made a mistake so obvious it feels like they added two and two and got seven? In this episode of The Victory Over VA Podcast , we break down one of the fastest — and most misunderstood — tools in the VA disability system: the Claim Accuracy Request, or CAR. When should you use it? When will it backfire? And how can filing the wrong appeal option cost you months… or even a year? If y...

What if your VA disability rating isn’t the end of the story? In this episode of Victory Over VA , we break down Special Monthly Compensation, or SMC, a powerful but often misunderstood benefit that can pay veterans thousands of dollars more per month. From loss of use to housebound status to traumatic brain injuries, this conversation explains who qualifies, how it works, and the costly mistakes...

Cold weather shouldn’t cost you your VA benefits. But for veterans living with Raynaud’s Syndrome, proving the condition, documenting attacks, and securing the right rating can be harder than it sounds. In this episode of Victory Over VA , we break down what Raynaud’s is, how the VA rates it, and the critical evidence veterans need to win their claim.

What happens when the pain that disrupts your life doesn’t show up on a scan? No test. No imaging. No guarantee it appears on exam day. Tension headaches live in that gray area the VA struggles to measure, yet many veterans live with them daily. How do you prove something that’s episodic, invisible, and subjective? What evidence actually moves the needle, and what mistakes quietly sink these claim...

What happens to a VA disability claim when a veteran passes away before it is resolved? In this episode of Victory Over VA, attorneys Francis Jackson and Alexandra Jackson break down accrued benefits, substitution, and the critical deadlines families must understand to avoid losing benefits their loved one earned.

You did everything right. You gathered records. You submitted medical evidence. And the VA still said no. Why does that happen? What if the problem isn’t that your evidence is weak, but that it isn’t being seen the way you think it is? What if the VA can only rate what it can clearly understand, and the most serious injuries are often the hardest to prove? In this episode, we unpack why “obvious”...

In this episode, I unpack a condition most veterans, and even the VA, often misunderstand: auditory processing disorder. It’s not about volume. It’s about what happens after the sound reaches your ears. Why do some veterans experience delays in understanding? How can a brain injury from years ago show up now? And how do you prove something the VA can’t see, touch, or measure easily? This conversat...