Retired VA Rater Interview#3: Crafting an Effective Personal Statement for Your VA BDD Claim.

Welcome to our channel, dedicated to guiding service members and veterans through the intricate world of VA benefits. In this video, a retired VA Rater shares priceless insights on a critical aspect of military transition – filing a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) VA claim while on active duty.

Discover why, before your transition out of the military, initiating a BDD VA claim during active duty is crucial for your transition to civilian life.

Attention, service members! If you're planning to file a VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim, this video is your key to success. We've brought in a seasoned expert, Chris Edwards, a retired VA Rater, to share invaluable insights on how to create a powerful personal statement for your claim.

Your personal statement is the heart of your claim. It's not just paperwork; it's your chance to tell your story comprehensively. In this video, Chris breaks down the essential elements that should be included in your personal statement. You'll learn how to describe the origin of your condition, the treatments you've received, the symptoms you're experiencing, and most importantly, how your condition affects your daily life.

Whether you're being med boarded out of the military or opting for the BDD route, Chris underscores the importance of treating both paths with the same level of diligence. You'll understand why, as a Rater, he insists on substantial, well-documented evidence to support your claims.

Throughout the video, Chris provides practical examples of what to include in your personal statement. He emphasizes the need for a clear and concise "sitrep" (situation report) within the statement. This includes relevant details about your duty station, specific exposure experiences, and any other pertinent information.

Furthermore, Chris offers insights into the C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam process, explaining how having a well-documented personal statement can help you challenge any doctor's assessments effectively.

If you're looking to maximize your VA BDD claim's success, this video is a must-watch. Chris Edwards, our expert, has developed a personal statement template that stands out and ensures you present a strong case.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more valuable content to help service members make the most of their benefits. Your personal statement is your voice in the VA claims process, and we're here to help you make it count.

**Meet Our Expert:**
Our guest, Chris Edwards, is a retired VA Rater with firsthand knowledge of the VA benefits system. They bring invaluable insights for optimizing your military transition.

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Jerome, a registered nurse since 2009 and founder of Open Ranks Nurse Consulting Services, is dedicated to helping service members and veterans understand the importance of medical record documentation. His passions stems from navigating the VA disability claims process himself, having been through the VA BDD program and Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) process.


Connect with Jerome:

[GX]

This information is great. No one really stresses personal statements or buddy statements. Im going to work on them now!

[RandomBoxingGuy]

’m retiring from active duty, I hit the 6-mo mark soon and plan to file a BDD Claim. But I have a couple questions…
1) If I claim something on my BDD that is not in my medical records… will it get automatically denied, or will they schedule an C&P exam to verify?
2) When filing a BDD claim online, does it allow for personal statements on each item?
3) I already have my medical records… and there’s not an obvious list anywhere that says “List of diagnosis”…. I have 800 pages of records, most is just appts… how do I know what counts as a “diagnosis”?
4) since I’m doing a BDD and still on active duty… do I need to relate conditions to my service… is a Nexus still required for son thing like GERD since I’m still on Active Duty?

[TC.....]

What about reservists who are still serving?

[gtoexpress]

My medical evidence was so overwhelming i didn't need a personal statements but i did it anyway with a buddy statement it was diagnosed in-service had surgery for the claim symptom came back severe evidence already show severe before the surgery VA examiner said it was preexisting got kicked back to the examiner because nothing was on my entrance exam VA examiner then said veteran had headaches got surgery for headaches got a scar from the surgery and still said the headaches was least likely it got kicked back again this time va didn't respond rater granted a 0 for the scar and denied the headaches that rater was a joke the examiner was a joke appeal to a dro the dro was a joke to all said the same thing bva judge wasn't a joke outside contractor wasn't a joke just the VA employees headaches got service by a contractor doctor exam took 3 minutes doctor asked was my symptoms still the same that was how power my medical evidence was - My evidence and nexus got minimal probate at the VA 10 years later claim go approved rater still low-balled my rating at 30 percent imo report stated headaches was prostating once a month and headaches prevent me from WORKING plus i was already on SSD from my headaches conditions - Funny how every VA claim employee formed a chain to deny my claims when the evidence spoke for itself without to support service connect at 89 now with 21 claims before 7 different judges got 4 pending secondary claims at the regional office now c&p exams been done now secondarys been diagnosed exams linked all with my SC claims this va examiner goes by the book waiting for the low-ball or denial from the rater i have gotten denials from a positive IMO so funny

[alwaysgallardorvstrong]

I received a message on va.gov that my supplemental claim is now closed. I have turned everything possible and had a great C and P exam. What could this mean