Speaker: [00:00:00] If you're fouling a VA claim in 2026, this episode could save you months and potentially lots of money
Speaker 2: because right now there's a lot of noise online. And if you follow the wrong advice, you'll waste your time. Miss evidence and lead benefits on the table,
Speaker: we're seeing the same pattern. Somebody hears one headline, runs with it, then builds their whole claim around it,
Speaker 2: and the VA doesn't reward the height.
Speaker 2: It rewards documentation that matches the rules, how the evidence is written, what it proves, and how it connects.
Speaker: So today we're gonna clean it up, what's real, what's misunderstood, and what actually moves a claim forward.
Speaker 2: And listen, we're keeping it practical. How to think about back pay, how to avoid paying for the wrong proof, how to use statements the right way and what to watch as technology starts changing the process.
Speaker: If you ever thought, I'm doing [00:01:00] everything and it's still getting denied, this is the episode.
Speaker 2: Let's get into it. Veterans.
Speaker: Hello and welcome to the Prepare to Compete podcast where we talk all things VA benefits. Real estate entrepreneurship and more. Kenneth Davis, how you feeling today, my brother?
Speaker 2: Oh, excited, excited, excited. Listen, uh, ready to really talk about some really, really heavy stuff here for veterans, but also really exciting stuff.
Speaker 2: Uh, just to really unpack, you know, things going on here.
Speaker: Absolutely. It's a lot going on. It's a lot going on with us as well, right? You see a brand new set. We're continuing to elevate things for you. Definitely drop down. Any comments about any topics you want us to cover in the future and how you like the new setup and also where you're listening from?
Speaker: 'cause it's really key so that we can start [00:02:00] talking about topics that impact your state or even your local jurisdictions and cities.
Speaker 2: Yeah, true indeed. Listen, you guys, not only do we wanna make sure that we are really engaging with you guys, but the, the, the biggest thing is this. We're here to share, right?
Speaker 2: We're here to share information, share. All, again, when I talk about all the information, we wanna share all the information, but also really help our brother and sisters in arms and not only our brother and sister in arms. We also gotta really take a a real underpinning and also tip our hat to the military families as well.
Speaker 2: Really appreciate you guys. We wanna make sure that they have all the information for the support that not only did it provide the younger veterans, but the older veterans as well. So continue to share the information and also uplift. So please like and subscribe.
Speaker: Absolutely. So as we get into our first topic, there's been a lot of rumblings, Kenneth, about different rent initiatives with [00:03:00] retro pay.
Speaker: Okay? So when we're talking about retro pay, we're talking about the back pay that the veteran is able to receive once their claim is awarded. And today we just want to kind of talk about that and really kind of unpack some new legislations that are on the table. And could have some potential benefits is passed, however, will that actually happen as far as getting back, pay back to the effective date.
Speaker: So today we wanna separate what's fact versus fiction around retro pay, going back to discharge. And Kenneth, I know there's been tons of policies throughout the years, and as a public policy expert yourself, I want you to kind of educate the people on exactly how it works when there's proposed new legislation.
Speaker 2: Yes. Yes. Uh, so listen, veterans, uh, and also, uh, [00:04:00] veteran supporters, you gotta understand, listen. When a bill is passed, it is just not, frankly, just through, uh, the house, the Senate, it just magically appears and next thing you know, we are, we're running full steam ahead, right? There's, uh, we have, we have to actually come to a consensus and multiple parties not only come into a consensus through multiple parties and being signed by the president, we also gotta understand implementation as well.
Speaker 2: So I always wanna, I always want to preface any bills that are coming down a pipeline. Let's understand. This stuff is not happening tomorrow, right? Um, so I wanna make sure that all veterans know that, you know, uh, when things are introduced, it is, it is something, it is a process. Alright? So, uh, we always wonder, well, why does it take so long for the government to do X, Y, z?
Speaker 2: We all know about the red tape, but let's understand that a bill to be, uh, for a bill to actually go through the process to be signed by the president and enacted [00:05:00] and actually. Implement it and where you're receiving it, it could take years, decades, even centuries. We gotta understand that. Okay. So, uh, with that being said, you guys, I wanna make sure that, uh, with the new information that is about to come out, uh, let's really understand and unpacking and really kind of, um, really focus on, uh, the timelines, but not only the timelines, how it affects you and your family in the future.
Speaker: Absolutely. So now, Kenneth, when we're talking about retro pay, going back to discharge, what is being proposed and how will it actually change and impact the veteran community?
Speaker 2: Alright, veterans. So this bill here, uh, is Senate Bill 1665, the, uh, the Oath Act of 2025, uh, which was introduced by Richard Bluma, uh, a senator, uh, senator here in, uh, from Connecticut.
Speaker 2: So, uh, understanding the OATH Act is about accountability. I want everybody to understand that first, uh, because, you [00:06:00] know, and we're gonna go ahead and kind of really unpack what the OFAC is. However, this, here, this actual bill was introduced by the Senator due to the fact that many, many military members was sworn to secrecy.
Speaker 2: Okay? Uh, but now being sworn to secrecy, we understand that there are so many different missions that is imposed, uh, uh, and required for military members, uh, to not actually talk about until files have actually been, uh, released and, and, and, and, and unsealed. So, with many veterans and military members.
Speaker 2: Under this secret, uh, sworn secrecy, we understand that a lot of veterans are not receiving their disability benefits from the time, uh, then they have transitioned outside of service. So if at any point in time that a veteran was sworn to secrecy or a military member at that time was sworn to secrecy, they are then transitioning out of service and cannot talk about that actual [00:07:00] mission or, uh, any type of act that actually transpired during that timeframe.
Speaker 2: So therefore, veterans aren't being able to receive their benefits.
Speaker: Yeah, absolutely. Now, that's a phenomenal lens on really just how to look at that. Now when you talk about veterans who completed all the special missions and a number of years of not receiving those benefits. Who would you say if this Oath Act is actually passed, who would it actually benefit the most?
Speaker 2: Great question. Great question. So, uh, the Oath Act is pretty much going to, uh, benefit, uh, uh, uh, you know, vet, uh, many veterans, right? Uh, however, specifically classify chemical testing programs, uh, between the timeframe of 1948 to 1975, right? Uh, there was a group of veterans, again, service members who pretty much was sworn to secrecy about, uh, the chemical transactions that happened there.
Speaker 2: [00:08:00] Okay? And we can actually get into some of the, you know, uh, some of the more detailed information about it. However, uh, the country pretty much, you know, had a sec, a secret chemical warfare testing program that many service members, uh, participated in during that timeframe, right? Um, and like I said before, we can kind of unpack it, uh, in regards to the details, but we're focused on the bill.
Speaker 2: Right. Um, so they were actually sworn to secrecy during that timeframe. And when they were sworn to secrecy during that timeframe, it, at that point, they didn't have the just do to rightfully receive benefits, uh, when transitioning outta service and Al and already during that timeframe, it was very taboo to even talk about, uh, you know, benefits at that time.
Speaker 2: So if retroactively veterans can be able to receive benefits from the discharge of service or during that timeframe, what could that really look like? And that's what the bill was actually, uh, actually, uh, uh, really 40. So [00:09:00] that is a very, very huge point when we unpack that because now did this open up the door for other veterans who were unclassified missions to unpack some benefits that they may deserve?
Speaker: No. Absolutely. 'cause when you really get into it, Kenneth, there's um, a ton of things that happen. These bills don't come out of anywhere, right? They don't come out of nowhere. They are really setting a precedent of what's next. Uh, in VA benefits and, and there's reasoning behind it because with those, uh, different, uh, chemical reactions and exposed to burn pits and a myriad of things that veterans have been exposed to, there has been lawsuits.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Speaker: And there has been a particular lawsuit in relation to the retro pay. There's one that this bill actually is kind of following based on the Taylor case. So [00:10:00] definitely wanted you to talk to us a little bit more about that particular case and what happened there and how it really connects to the whole issue of should benefits be backdated to the discharge date.
Speaker 2: Yes. So we gotta understand the legislation. So it's a, it's a legislation that co, it's a legislation that's codified by, uh, Taylor, uh, a Taylor v Madonna. Okay. Um, so what this is actually doing, it is trying to correct a mishap or, or in injustice, some would say. Um, and this injustice is basically stating that the injustice is gonna be based upon, uh, veterans not receiving benefits during that, uh, transactional time of sworn to secrecy.
Speaker 2: Understanding that now the Oath Act is going to provide the veterans if again passed, is going to go ahead and provide those [00:11:00] veterans to restore their benefits from the date that secrecy has been, uh, uh, was released as unclassified. So once that was, once that has been lifted at that point, that's when, uh, veterans will actually be able to be restored full retroactive benefits back to that date.
Speaker 2: Right? And that is a huge, huge win for veterans. If it does go through, however, we're stating that in this, in this bill here that we're talking about, the Edgewood Arsenal Act. Okay? I mean, uh, the veterans in the Edgewood arsenal. So, and they're only talk about the special chemical warfare program. Now, I believe this bill is gonna open up the door for a ton of other, uh, uh, secret missions that was classified at the time, that is no longer right.
Speaker 2: And I, we have so many veterans that tell us, uh, tell, it [00:12:00] gives us so many different, um, aspects of their mission that they were actually involved in, which I am grateful for to hear that story. However, it has been unclassified, but no one has come to the table to talk about it. So I am honored to hear their stories and I'm honored to be able to see this.
Speaker 2: But we also gotta be understanding that this is gonna open up the door for many veterans about sworn secret missions that should not be exposed during the time, uh, of the mission, but also how many veterans are, are actually talking about these things now. So that poses the question for me. Uh uh, just again, if I'm looking at this, this bill and policy, when do we stop?
Speaker 2: Because we're gonna have some unintended consequences amongst this, do you think?
Speaker: Yeah, absolutely. And that's kind of what I wanted to talk about here next, right? When we're [00:13:00] talking about going back to discharge. With retro pay, that can get very, very expensive. Uh, even just for that group there, we're talking about veterans receiving millions of dollars in back pay per veteran just for those groups.
Speaker: So when you're opening it up to veterans outside of those, uh, secret missions as well, what does that timeline reality really look like? And what should we be watching out for as the developments continue amongst this conversation?
Speaker 2: Well, when we talk about timeline, you guys, uh, I again, you know, the bill could go up and go down, go up and go down.
Speaker 2: You know, a bill can really take many, many years to actually really be passed because, um, it must be a consensus before, you know, uh, going up and we can get into the details, but we are just focusing on what the bill and trying to understand what they're trying to do here. Okay. Um, [00:14:00] so with that being said, it could take years.
Speaker 2: Uh, but we're talking about veterans from 1948 to 1975. How many, how many veterans are gonna be still in existent, uh, to be able to receive the benefits that they actually deserve? You know, uh, how please. I mean, uh,
Speaker: yeah. I mean, and when you get into that, you're talking about different things with the DIC program, right?
Speaker: Because if those veterans should have been a hundred percent permanent in total and they were not, does that retroactive pay go to their dependents? And again, it opens up a whole lot of things when we're talking about implementation and the rules that happen when we kind of go downstream of this legislation.
Speaker: So I know a lot of times the headline can be very polarizing when we talk about this and we understand that. Yeah. Veterans, if you have a service connected disability. Uh, reasonably so it should go back to the discharge date, [00:15:00] but it just opens up so many different nuances of payment and where is this money actually going to come from with the taxpayer dollars and so many other details there where it's so unfortunate sometimes that the government just cannot make it happen, unfortunately.
Speaker 2: Yeah, and, and we really gotta understand that. I know a lot of, um, you know, bills are in good faith, right? Um, some of the bills are in good faith, but also some of the bills could be, uh, a political, a political chess move, right? Um, because truth be told, we know some of these bills aren't gonna get passed, but does it look good to be able to pass a bill or to afford a bill that is leaning toward constituents?
Speaker 2: Who are gonna vote for you?
Speaker: Absolutely. Kenneth. You say it very well there. So now when we're talking about [00:16:00] the next action steps, okay, and we're talking about what documentation viewers should gather, what should they really look to do next when they're trying to maximize their benefits and really maximize the opportunity to actually receive their benefits to the retro date?
Speaker: Right? And now we're talking about, of course, these group of veterans here. But let's talk about active duty service members, even transitioning, uh, currently to be able to make sure, hey, they're in a period right now where they could make sure they have their documentation, they could make sure they're gathering everything.
Speaker: So once they're discharged, they're fairly compensated.
Speaker 2: Uh, that is a great question. So the first, first. First thing I would say is tune in to prepare to compete because, uh, tuning in to compare to compete is always gonna give you the most updated information and the most information that's gonna be able to service you and your family to be able to make sure you [00:17:00] maximize all your benefits.
Speaker 2: That's the first thing. Um, secondly, um, I would, I would stay abreast, stay abreast with the changes of VA benefits. Okay. Uh, this is one bill that's being pushed up right in, in relation to retroactive benefits, but I would tell you there are thousands of regulation changes that happen internally, regularly, all the time.
Speaker 2: Okay. Uh, and, and, and that's, and that's the truth. Okay? Uh, again, okay. I can, I can be embellishing a bit when we say a thou thousands, but I can tell you right now there's hundreds. I, I, I, I, again, I, I am a hundred percent sure and why I say that because I actually worked for the federal government for many years, and I've seen these changes over and over again.
Speaker 2: However. Not only staying abreast with that information, but making sure that you are prepared to discharge when it's time for you to discharge [00:18:00] and you're staying abreast with timelines that is outlined for you as a veteran. What does that mean? Let's focus on when our intent to file date is. Let's focus on when did we receive our notifica, our notification letters for decision letter dates?
Speaker 2: What is the decision letter date? The date that you actually receive your notification letter. Now you can be able to focus on continuous prosecution to make sure that your effective date is in actually in, uh, established from your first initial intent to file. 'cause you can again, get denied, but don't stop.
Speaker 2: We have to keep going but properly, properly.
Speaker: Absolutely. Kenneth, that's great information there. Big payouts only happen if the evidence holds up. Let's talk [00:19:00] about the evidence tools people misunderstand the most. Alright, Kenneth, so when we get down into evidence, right, uh, it's so very, very important. And now part of medical evidence, you have a Nexus letter and now there's a ton of misnomers, of course about Nexus letters and I know you're gonna go into it today.
Speaker: And the first question I have for you here, Kenneth today, is when is a Nexus letter actually worth it?
Speaker 2: Well, that is a good question and it could be circumstantial. This is why we understand that every Veteran's military disability claim is different. Every veteran's VA disability claim is different. Why?
Speaker 2: Because their military service is different. So [00:20:00] it would behoove you to one, make sure it is reviewed by expert who can be able to further assist you. However, when we're talking about a Nexus letter, that is a piece of medical evidence. If you have been watching, prepare to compete, you know here that, uh, we understand that all Nexus letters aren't necessarily gonna be, uh, something that is gonna be, uh, considered for your claim.
Speaker 2: It depends on what type of claim and what I mean by considered, I don't mean they're not gonna take into consideration. But it is possibly not needed. You don't need an Nexus letter for presumptive disabilities. If we understand that we don't need an Nexus letter for presumptive disabilities, then why is it forwarded?
Speaker 2: Well, [00:21:00] it is circumstantial. You can reach out to us and we can go ahead and give you some of those details as well. All right, so when we talk about a Nexus letter, it is only worth it when it is needed.
Speaker: Absolutely.
Speaker 2: When do we think it's needed? It is circumstantial. You guys, please if we can please reach out.
Speaker 2: We'll be able to, again, really evaluate if it is worth it for you.
Speaker: Absolutely. Because you say it's circumstantial, Kenneth, and it definitely is going to. Matter on what's included, right? So when we're talking about what's included, we're talking about, uh, review of your actual records, right? Sometimes you have a Nexus letter and it's, uh, generic.
Speaker: It can be generic in nature, right? Um, if it has the proper rationale and standards, and you know, I'm no expert in all of those things there, but you know, Kenneth, as a former VA Raider, can you [00:22:00] let us know exactly uh, what those things are as far as, uh, records, review, rationale and standards as it relates to, uh, the Nexus letter?
Speaker: So veterans could win their VA claim?
Speaker 2: Of course. And I'm gonna keep it simple. I'm not gonna go into regulatory information. I'm not gonna go into the M 21, the warms manual. 38 CFR. No, I'm gonna focus on this. I one. When we talk about a Nexus letter, is your physician qualified to be able to be able to make a medical opinion amongst the issues that you are dealing with?
Speaker 2: If you have a t if you are being, trying to be service connected for TBI now you have actually developed migraines in in accordance to your TBI. Well, is your dentist qualified to be able to make that justification or rationale to be able to get a pos a [00:23:00] positive medical opinion amongst your TBI that's related to your migraines?
Speaker: Probably not.
Speaker 2: Well, let's keep it simple. So understanding, let's go ahead and make sure that our physicians are qualified. Um, let's also making sure that they're labeling their in, uh, their NPI, um, and that's their national pro uh, uh, provider identification. So we gotta understand their NPI should be located somewhere in the Nexus letter that's gonna also certify a medical opinion can be justified.
Speaker 2: Titling phone number, address where they, where again they are practicing medicine at. Not only that, let's also consider how your Nexus letter is developed and written. It is very important that we have a [00:24:00] regulatory standard that your Nexus letter is written in a space of regulatory standards. We can go ahead and unpack what are the regulatory standards, and again, we're gonna unpack 'em in many episodes, but if you join our community, you can get it.
Speaker 2: Im immediately, but now I wanna go ahead and tell you, uh, if it is then in regulatory standards. How are you claiming the actual disability that you're trying to get service connected? It should state that in your Nexus letter and also provide rationale also with a, uh, medical statement that is justified by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Speaker 2: Typically, is it, is, it is least as likely as not, which is a positive opinion, which then will actually certify and, and, and, and certify that Nexus letter as it should be a very clean nexus letter. [00:25:00]
Speaker: If you're giving them a host of information there, we definitely appreciate that. So imagine you receiving that information here today.
Speaker: But of course if you're within our veteran for, for Veterans Community Wealth of information there, and of course if you're decide to work with Veterans for Veterans Consulting, we'll be able to walk you through step by step of that process. So now when we're talking about the Nexus letter, we also wanna know, sometimes they look at the Nexus letter and it just gets ignored, right?
Speaker: Because it may not have those things. So. What, uh, you kind of gave us a lot of information about what needs to be included, the rationale, even though standard. So can we talk a little bit more about the red flags? They get va nexus letters ignored when they, uh, send a Nexus letter and it's not quite up to the test and it [00:26:00] doesn't really pass that mustard, you know, it doesn't cut the mustard.
Speaker: It is like they can look at this. It's like, oh no man. It just got, it just gets ignored. So what are some of those red flags there?
Speaker 2: Well, I'll give you one basic one that actually is going to, uh, throw a red flag immediately. Did the physician review your medical records to be able to provide that rationale?
Speaker 2: What does your medical records look like? What do, what does your medical records file look like? Did they review service medical records? Did they review your private medical records? Did they review your VA medical records? Did they review the unclassified records that you were sworn to secrecy back in 1975?
Speaker 2: Uh, to be able to develop a perfect rationale on why you should be given benefits, that is one of the [00:27:00] biggest red flag that we can identify. We can un unpack others, but that right there is probably one of the most triggered, um, triggered reasons why denials happen. And now probative weight would have to be given to the CMP examiner that does your exam.
Speaker: Absolutely. And sometimes when veterans are getting nexus letters, it's uh. Unfortunately sometimes from, uh, scuttlebutt talk, right? Yeah. They, they just heard of a provider from another veteran and they used that person, or they, uh, read somewhere in a blog or some Facebook or read it form about Nexus letters and saw some white body selling letters online and went and purchased that service.
Speaker: That unfortunately, sometimes aren't up to the standards that the VA would like. [00:28:00] So when a veteran is pursuing a Nexus letter, how do they actually choose the right provider to be able to request the Nexus letter correctly?
Speaker 2: Well, that's very important. Um, choosing the right provider for your medical opinion is very important.
Speaker 2: Um, they should be trusted. Uh, they should be military, uh, military centric veteran. They should be, have a wealth of information in regards to the OB Warrens manual, 38 CFR. Um, not only that, they should know basic information about you, right? Let's, let's, let's consider choosing your primary care physician.
Speaker 2: How we choose our primary care physician should be the same standards on how you choose a physician [00:29:00] to be able to rock or to write up your medical evidence.
Speaker: Absolutely Kenneth. That is very, very valuable there. So now when we talking about Nexus letters that help veterans win their VA claim, what is just one main takeaway, uh, that veterans can take away from what we talked about today?
Speaker: If they forget everything else, what is one thing that we want them to remember regarding Nexus letters that can assist them with winning their VA claim?
Speaker 2: We'll take this. Make sure you're choosing the right, uh, service or provider to be able to develop a Nexus letter for you. Reason being that can make a difference for you actually receiving benefits and being service connected for you and your family.
Speaker 2: Or it can make a difference of years of continuous denials. Sometimes again, that's just the way a cookie crumbles when you are being denied. Um, but as a veteran, we [00:30:00] know that you're resilient. We know that you're resilient. You're gonna make proper decisions. So take this time to really take a step back and make sure you're making the right choice.
Speaker 2: There's no reason for desperation. If you need assistance, we can be able to help you choose the right provider if need be. And also we can make sure that, again, you are actually directed in the right areas.
Speaker: Absolutely, absolutely. No phenomenal information. Kenneth. Thank you. So a Nexus letter is a medical opinion.
Speaker: Now let's talk about non-medical opinions that make or break a VA claim. Alright Kenneth, so now I wanna talk about buddy statements. Okay. So, you know, I hear a lot about this, veterans always asking. Uh, do I need to [00:31:00] submit a buddy statement? You know, I have someone that I serve with, they're able to write a letter to attest to this event or that event.
Speaker: Uh, so veterans have a lot of questions regarding the buddy statement. So what exactly can a buddy statement help to prove for the veteran for the purposes of their VA claim?
Speaker 2: Well, uh, typically I, again, when we talk about buddy statements and late statements, they, uh, come very, uh, they come very, very often.
Speaker 2: Um, and when you talk about development of lay statements and buddy statements, we have to understand, uh, that there, there must be some, uh, considerations in t and standards, uh, that, that most, uh, adjudicators are gonna look at, right? Um. Now only thing that pretty much is gonna kind of really unpack it if you were in that location Right.
Speaker 2: Um, we, [00:32:00] they're not gonna be able to assistly let you know that you have a diagnosis. Right. Uh, but they can actually say if you were dealing with stomach pain that led into IBS thereafter Service. Now we have some type of correlation to to, to confer that the IBS is related because we have a witness, buddy statements are great, we like buddy statements, but buddy statements at the regional le at the regional office level typically does not gonna, is not going to, uh, typically make the decision for you.
Speaker: Absolutely.
Speaker 2: So I don't wanna hold too much weight on that. Okay. Veterans, however they are helpful for your actual file.
Speaker: Absolutely. And there are also, you know, sometimes reasons why a buddy statement may just not work for you. [00:33:00] Yeah. So, and when we're talking about that, who exactly is your buddy? Right? You know, that question definitely comes up a lot and really deciding who should write a buddy statement for you.
Speaker: So what we want you to inform the community of today, Kenneth, is what are some of the best sources and resources for writing a buddy statement?
Speaker 2: That is a great question. Um, and a lot of times you should always want to refer someone who is present in that timeframe. There's many veterans As a military member, you have brothers and sisters in arms that you still speak with today.
Speaker 2: Right. Um, being connected is one of the most easiest things that we can do these days, right? Uh, through social, social media. Um, so reaching out to a brother or sister in arms who was in that company division or a brigade, because again, uh, they can really, [00:34:00] uh, place you in that location. They can actually discuss the symptoms that you dealt with.
Speaker 2: They can also formalize if and reason with you, or no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, not reason with you, but reason within the statement. And provide rationale on your mental stability at the time. If you were dealing with financial issues, which would cause obviously stress if you were dealing with, uh, uh, digestive issues, if you were, uh, you know, consuming.
Speaker 2: Unhealthy foods that led to diabetes. There are many ways to be able to go ahead and, uh, link those issues. So I would always advise a buddy statement, but I would not lean on it. So the best pe, the best personnel to be able to provide you with a buddy statement would [00:35:00] be the people that you serve with, typically one's, one's close to you because they're gonna be able to really discuss some of the issues that were transpiring that you probably was not speaking the most, because I'm sure you were not talking to your, uh, upper leadership about a stomach pain.
Speaker 2: I'm sure you didn't go to medical about it. I'm sure that the foot pain, that the boots, cause you did not actually come up during that, uh, ruck march. Right? So with that being said, we gotta consider. Who writing these buddy statements.
Speaker: Absolutely. Who is writing the buddy statements with their writing and just even the format, right?
Speaker: Because, uh, what you're talking about there gets me thinking about, well. Maybe you may need multiple buddy statements. Maybe there are certain conditions that one person could attest to versus another person, right? So, you know [00:36:00] certain things that may have happened on a flight deck, you know, if someone works in a different department, they weren't privy to some of the different injuries and incidents that occurred, but they may have been with you in the chow hall, so they might be able to, uh, talk about other things, right?
Speaker: Mm-hmm. So really kind of considering, uh, all of those different factors. So now when someone is developing a buddy statement for someone, what are they needing to look at as far as just the formatting of what to write and what really works in convincing, uh, the VA when having those lay statements?
Speaker 2: Listen, listen, veterans, uh, I want to, I want to cut straight to the point. Listen, please. Do not send in a six page letter to the, to the va. It's not, it's something, it's something that's probably not gonna be the best conduciveness in regards to your claim. In regards, uh, in relation to a buddy statement.
Speaker 2: So let's be very [00:37:00] concise to the point X, Y, and Z happen straight to the point. Now, once you are actually having that one or two paragraphs of what actually transpired, uh, you want to make sure whoever is writing a statement for you, spouse, friend, family, well whoever, please make sure that they are, uh, pro, uh, they're providing their full name, email, phone number, address.
Speaker 2: And also if they were in service, I would go ahead and provide, uh, their ranking at the time and also location of their actual duty station. That would help a lot. It helps those small things. Really, really, uh, provide some assistance.
Speaker: Absolutely. So, Ken, you talked about the different things that could essentially help in terms of a buddy statement.
Speaker: Now, what are some of the things that may weaken a buddy statement? You talked about a [00:38:00] course being six pages. You definitely don't want to do that. You don't wanna just have something generic or copied and pasted from ai, artificial intelligence, right? Yeah. So what are some of the common mistakes you see veterans making when submitting that buddy statement?
Speaker: Because it just did not have the right, uh, set of information.
Speaker 2: Simple. No name.
Speaker: Oh wow.
Speaker 2: Who are writing the buddy? At least it's, it, it's been multiple times. Again, uh, I am expo, uh, of ex person. Well, who are you? Placing a name, phone number, or email is very helpful. Okay? Not, not, not saying that they're gonna reach out to you, but they probably wanna know who you are, right?
Speaker 2: And also, again, certifying it with the signature, right? So, uh, doing things of that nature, uh, it helps very much so it does not need to be, uh, your, your buddy [00:39:00] statement does not need to be, uh, certified male. So it doesn't need a notary, no, it needs to be notarized. So, uh, we don't need any of, it's not gonna be needing any of that.
Speaker 2: Um, it's very simple, again, a letter that is drawn out, uh, from start to finish. Uh, we have, again, introduction, uh, a body and also a conclusion of what transpired. And that's, I think that's very simple and straight to the point.
Speaker: Alright? Definitely. So you definitely wanna be simple and straight to the point.
Speaker: So now when you're talking about a template here, you are already really great. Gave a great. Standard format. So when we're talking about writing a buddy statement, if you could just in the next 60 seconds, for example, kind of just name the key elements that must be included on a buddy statement.
Speaker 2: Yeah. So again, it's, listen, we're veterans, right?
Speaker 2: So we gotta understand that, uh, that we're, we're, we don't want [00:40:00] to, we don't wanna overthink this or we don't want to nuke it, right? Uh, as they would say in the Navy Formosa, but we wanna make sure, which again, no, I love you guys. Don't, don't you ever think again, engineering department. You guys, uh, you guys make the ship run, okay?
Speaker 2: Uh, however, uh, we, we let, again, let's keep it simple. Name, relationship of the actual, uh, service member or veteran who is, uh, again, clinging benefits. Uh, we also want to actually put there again, if you serve together, if you served in different location and companies, what is the relationship and how often did you guys see each other?
Speaker 2: Right? Uh, what are some of the symptoms that you actually seen transpire, uh, that the veteran was dealing with? Um, and also if the veteran was on deployment or you got where you guys were located, that is a big thing, right? Because again, happening on something, happening on deployment is much different when you're in the states.
Speaker 2: For reasons. We can go [00:41:00] ahead and go on, go on and on, on why that is important, but we're not. Okay. You can go ahead and refer to some of the old videos again. We'll go ahead and make sure that we go ahead and, uh, discuss the, in a later date and actually, and once that has transpired, having a conclusion, signature date, uh, email, phone number, and also your.
Speaker 2: Service information. Right. Um, again, who are you, what is your relationship? Let's provide your MOS location duty station, and that will be very simple as that.
Speaker: Absolutely. Kenneth, thank you for that wonderful information. And we talked about a lot today. Okay. We talked about so many different facets of changing legislation.
Speaker: We talked about nexus letters, we talked about buddy statements, and zooming all the way out, the way notes get created is [00:42:00] changing and the way they get reviewed is changing as well. So we wanna make sure that we discuss how artificial intelligence is actually changing the VA claim process. As we said, AI is changing the VA claim.
Speaker: This. And what we really wanna know here is exactly how is that showing up for veterans and what do they need to know as these changes continue to be implemented?
Speaker 2: Uh, wow. You know, this is actually a great question. I think it's actually a really, really good topic to really kind of, uh, speak about. You know, I think a AI is not only claim, uh, changing, uh, the VA claims process, but it's changing everything, right?
Speaker 2: Let's, let's, let's stick that into consideration. It's changing everything. Um, however, it is a supportive tool. There are, you know, misinformation that is produced on a regular basis. Uh, but now understanding that, [00:43:00] um, there are certifications that is needed, you know, um, and being able to understand, uh, just a human will be reviewing this information.
Speaker 2: Okay. Just like when you go get a mortgage, there is a secondary underwriter. So this is to be said very similar. Alright. Uh, so understanding that we want to take into consideration the information that is being provided, that adjudicator behind the screen knows if it is AI generated. And so does it sway the decision?
Speaker 2: It may or may not. However, we also have to consider the Raiders or adjudicators personal feelings at that time of that actual, uh, that [00:44:00] claim itself. But if the evidence is just the evidence and, and that evidentiary information is just fact, you really gotta understand. Their personal feelings can't get into the claim.
Speaker 2: It must be set aside. So if you are having AI assist, you don't, don't let the AI develop your claim. Let AI teach you the information so you can develop your claim with assistance. It's very important and why it is important, because it is more than just a buddy statement. It is more than just a nexus letter.
Speaker 2: It is the security of you and your family. So taking this time to take the corrective steps to do it the right way is very important. As much as we love [00:45:00] this new technology, let's take a step back to understand. There are human adjudicators that are certifying these claims and there has been a ton of claims denied with ai and I can guarantee you that.
Speaker: Absolutely. And now we're talking about where it's, uh, showing up as far as artificial intelligence. Now, is the VA at all utilizing artificial intelligence within the decision making and records evaluation process to help improve any efficiencies?
Speaker 2: Well, um, I do know that there are talks about it, however, there we talk about implementation, right?
Speaker 2: So implementation is a very, uh, a very unique thing. Uh, we're talking about a huge federal agency. Understanding a huge federal agency will be moving towards this undertaking to [00:46:00] implement ai, which this is gonna get, again, this technology is gonna get implemented everywhere, so brace yourself and get ready for it.
Speaker 2: However, when AI is gonna be implemented in the federal government, there is still going to be, uh, human elements that are opposed in this hugely, um, reason being is checks and balances, just like any type of bureaucratic, uh, government that, that, that, that is in existence, which, that's what we live in. So you really, really need to understand that though it is being applied, uh, not right now.
Speaker 2: Um, there's just talks about it, uh, but there's even talks into implementing ai, uh, and robotics into the VA hospital. And you guys can tell me how you feel about that. There are some pushback, [00:47:00] but there is also a lot of support. So when I tell you regulations change, bills are passed without you and it is continuously and forward movement.
Speaker 2: So AI implementation within the claims process is coming. We just don't know what, when and how. So there isn't anything just as of yet because we know we, we we're, we're, we're, we're dealing with our government, uh, and also the federal government or federal Department of Federal Affairs Agency, which some things are taking a little bit longer than not, but Brace yourself.
Speaker: Absolutely. So kind of sticking with that concept and topic, right, of the VA actually implementing artificial intelligence within their process. Uh, what are gonna be some potential upsides to them doing that? You know, we've, [00:48:00] uh, exhaustively at times talked about the process and just how long it takes with the backlog of claims and different, uh, scenarios where there's not enough CMP examiners and all of those different facets that just bogged down the process.
Speaker: So, if the VA does start to implement ai, how can this actually help the veterans?
Speaker 2: Well, I think it can help the veterans tremendously. There's multiple systems that the VA uses, one interconnecting a mo majority of those systems together, and also interconnection of agencies, right? Uh, there are systems with regards to interconnecting agencies, however, AI's gonna make that tremendously faster.
Speaker 2: Um, and also evidence evaluation, evidence evaluation. Uh, to include also, uh, making decisions on, uh, you can easily make [00:49:00] decisions on presumptive conditions fairly quickly at this point. Uh, but there also is gonna be human elements that are gonna align with that. Uh, but the question pose, uh, the question poses that now those evidence evaluators, 'cause we can talk about, you know, many positions within the, uh, within the va, uh, or VBA rather.
Speaker 2: Um, what happens to those people, right? Um, because now if evidence is, are being reviewed and being certified with half of the staff that you once actually, uh, was working with, uh, now what does the federal government do do with those people there? That is a quick question. Right? I would think so, because it is just not going to be able to, uh, just fire that's not, that's not what the federal government does, right?
Speaker 2: With civil service. Uh, and being under civil service and understanding that, uh, it is gonna, it is gonna take a really big team to figure out how to [00:50:00] implement policy. Implementation takes time. And sometimes, I'll be very honest with you guys, implementing policy sometimes never happen after a bill was passed.
Speaker 2: Take that and understand that. So, uh, there's been repeals of many, many, many, many bills and also reg, uh, re regulatory policies. So I don't necessarily know how it's gonna affect, uh, the actual claims process, but I can tell you one thing, they're gonna make it much faster. Um, it just depends on where it is being implemented.
Speaker: Absolutely, because there are so many different ways it can be implemented. Right. And just in terms of even when you are uploading records to, uh, a VA claim and making sure the records go in the right place, right? Sometimes veterans may, uh, misclassify the document that they uploaded. So when we're talking about [00:51:00] certain, uh, triage elements of just really being able to make sure, hey, you said you had a oh 7 8 1 form, but it was really something else.
Speaker: The, if the artificial intelligence could catch those things before it reaches the VA Raider's desk, it could really help in terms of once the Raider gets the claim, they can get quicker to that decision. So, uh, with those upsides, a as you say, there are some different trade-offs in terms of, uh, loss of, uh, positions, unfortunately.
Speaker: But, uh. You know, as Americans, right? We learn and grow, and you mentioned a lot of new positions of policy implementation and other roles on how to effectively monitor the AI and different things of that nature that could be potentially needed, uh, within those particular upsides of actually implementing, uh, artificial intelligence to the claim [00:52:00] process.
Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. Um, listen, it's so many upsides, uh, but taking into consideration, um, there are, you know, there are gonna be consequences that we cannot foresee.
Speaker: Absolutely.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah. There, there are definitely gonna be consequences. And there are so many different risks, right? Yeah. There's gonna be risks in just certain errors, you know?
Speaker: Um. The, the human eye isn't perfect, nor is the artificial eye perfect as well, right? And just even some biases, right? Mm-hmm. When you talk about, uh, a computer doing something, I know within the real estate industry, that's why you have certain underwriting standards where you would allow certain, um, artificial intelligence and kind of, uh, automatic processing of some things.
Speaker: But when you create a certain formula on how things are [00:53:00] approved and denied, it can give trade-offs to particular details and situations that hadn't been considered right? And really kind of missing that nuance and over reliance of utilizing that system. And when you over rely on utilizing a system, the system.
Speaker: Starts to get a mind of its own right and creates its own type of bias, leaning on the initial instructions over time. So the longer we utilize technology, we have to understand that it's going to take human intervention to come in and test the models and make sure that it's not doing things in such a formulaic way that's negatively impacting, especially veterans with the claim process.
Speaker 2: Yeah, no, true indeed. And that's, uh, uh, that's one of the reasons I think we have a [00:54:00] lot of. Uh, these bills, right? Or laws that's in place, right? Uh, discriminatory laws, again, when we talk about the Civil Rights Act, there's so many discriminatory laws that were passed during that timeframe under the Civil Rights Act.
Speaker 2: We gotta really take into consideration out of that. Now, uh, can we say, uh, the AI isn't receiving any hallucinations that, uh, that is being, uh, implemented to create bias, right? Uh, because when we talk about the military and active duty and VA benefits, we are a melting pot of people. Okay? We, uh, again, uh, everyone, all right?
Speaker 2: Every race, creed, religion, everyone has, has a place in the military. So now that is going to take considerations because now there's so many things to consider, uh, while making these decisions. Though that making these decisions was a very, um, very focal human element, that they were [00:55:00] able to train the brain and also adjudicator on to what to identify.
Speaker 2: Um, but now the AI could, or artificial intelligence could be identifying other things that could cause a denial. Right. You know, 'cause 'cause there is, there is a human opinion that is interjected and that opinion is very valuable. Reason being is that there could be a, a, a positive and negative decision in place and human intervention will need to be, had to be able to lean towards the decision that is more, uh, uh, a positive for the veteran.
Speaker 2: So, and that's just, and we're not only talking about the medical, I mean, sorry, we're not only talking about [00:56:00] a, the medical evidence, right? There's, there's so many different elements of, of opinionated consideration because you need to be able to be able to emotionally understand what the veteran was at that timeframe.
Speaker 2: You have to consider what, uh, what type of branch of service, right? Um, just because you were labeled a yeoman in the Navy, go Navy, just 'cause you were labeled a yeoman in the Navy and that's your MOS doesn't mean that you were not exposed to hazardous noise on an everyday basis because you were stationed in the aircraft carrier and you were a yeoman in the air department right up under the flight deck.
Speaker 2: Now you're seeing, now you're continuously exposed to a hazardous noise on a regular basis. So there's a human elements that's gonna be tied to all of this stuff.
Speaker: Absolutely. So when we're talking about VA benefits, what we definitely understand is that the times are [00:57:00] changing, right? The processes are changing as well, but deserving veterans of their VA benefits is going to continue to remain.
Speaker: And so we wanna make sure that veterans, regardless of the process, know exactly what they should do when filing for their claims. So we're talking about that, whether it's gonna be a manual VA raider, whether it's gonna be some robot looking at their claims in the future. What are some of the things that veterans need to make sure that they're doing when they're submitting their claim?
Speaker 2: Well, when we talk about, uh, you know, how to. I guess distinctly say, receive the current outputs that you deserve for your benefits, whether if it is a human or ai, well, let's go down a checklist, right? Understandably basic, basic, you know, [00:58:00] information that we always wanna make sure that we provide you guys, uh, again, you are, I'm always gonna be a proponent of making sure.
Speaker 2: You have your service, medical records, your medical records, your medical records, your medical records. Understand your evidence is gonna be needed to be able to make sure that your claim, your claim is being able to po be positively adjudicated. Okay? Uh, making sure again, attempt to file is a place. Also, making sure again, that your, uh, all your medical evidence is received, statements are placed in place, and making sure that these things are had, uh, prior to submission.
Speaker 2: As long as you kind of outline the, uh, the formulated details for the most part, um, for the information that we provide you, again, you have put your best foot forward. So now at this point in time, that's when you're gonna have, uh, the best chances of getting a positive output. Okay. Um, again, and let's go over once again, intent to file.
Speaker 2: You wanna make sure you got your service, medical records. You wanna make sure that you have any type of private medical records, you want to [00:59:00] have any statements that's attached. Uh, you want to make sure that, uh, again, uh, that you have. A collective of information that is going to have a AI or the actual adjudicated themselves, take a secondary look to make them consider it could have possibly transpired during service.
Speaker 2: And if not, at this point in time, how could we get a service connected any other way? Presumptive, secondary or aggravation wise?
Speaker: Absolutely phenomenal information. Kena phenomenal information. And you know, as we know, veterans are going to continue to use artificial intelligence and there's a number of ways that veterans are using systems like Chat GBT to really pursue.
Speaker: Packaging their evidence and, uh, there's a lot of checks and balances there. You know, one of the things you talked about earlier was just making sure your [01:00:00] information stays private, right? Because I know, uh, one of the things that if you're dropping your service records and your DD two fourteens and all of these in, you're dropping your DD two fourteens and all this sensitive information into those different artificial systems, you are at risk of your actual privacy.
Speaker: So you definitely wanna understand that. So obviously AI can really help you produce your evidence and kind of maximize. Uh, the efficiencies of writing a buddy statement or drafting A-P-T-S-D stressor, but they must be sensitive of the AI outputs, uh, from just a security standpoint, but also with the artificial intelligence being generic in their responses.
Speaker: And, uh, so really kind of wanted you to talk, uh, a bit more about that security component and how veterans should [01:01:00] really kind of think about that. And just also just the overall outputs of, uh, the information that it will output in. Unfortunately, sometimes. The VA radar is gonna know what you, uh, inputted there is AI because it's in a certain format because the computer just speaks a certain way if it's not trained and prompted properly.
Speaker: And we'll have later videos veterans that, uh, train you on how to use artificial intelligence and to get past some of those prompting barriers.
Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah. And also we'll have again, uh, other resources that can be able to help you, uh, again, if you have AI trying to assist you as well. So, uh, that is something again, that should be coming your way.
Speaker 2: Uh, but when we talk about this type of stuff here, we wanna make sure that sensitive and privacy is very, very important. Sensitive information and privacy is very, very important. Okay. Sensitive [01:02:00] sensitivity and privacy of your information is very important. I don't want to stop repeating that. Reason being, if you aren't willing to share your, uh, your birthdate, social security number to, uh, a stranger on the street, you may want to take a step back and understand what you are doing.
Speaker 2: When you are putting your information in the AI systems. That's their information. Your information may not be used for, uh, certain different aspects. However, um, we must take into consideration it is a learning model, right? Um, this is the, this, this, this information is, it, it, it's, it's cool it to, to, you know, really.
Speaker 2: It's cool to be able to kind of play with or get certain jokes out of it or, uh, go on certain trends and different things of that nature. Now, I pose to ask you, would you want to place [01:03:00] your, uh, most private and sensitive information and something that you can be able to make a cartoon in as well? There are some, there is very allotted amount of seriousness.
Speaker 2: Around this. So now we have to understand breaches of sensitive information because once your information is breached, you don't necessarily know where it goes. So, um, I always wanna make sure you consider of taking consideration of possibly, uh, redacting, um, information that is being input, um, also making sure that you are consuming a lot of that information to your, uh, related service that will be able to make sure that you get the output that you're looking for.
Speaker 2: But I'll tell you right now, uh, please, please, please be careful what you say. Be careful of how you prompted and be careful of your information. Uh, however, uh, what I would tell you is again, uh, that we will definitely be able to be here to assist you through that process. [01:04:00]
Speaker: All right, Kenneth, that was some wonderful information.
Speaker: We really kind of laid out a lot of key factors that are ultimately going to help veterans. Moving forward with their VA claims process. So, you know, as always, drop any questions, comments, uh, concerns that you have, uh, regarding the VA process, uh, down in the chat, join our community. We're always here to help.
Speaker: Uh, and now if you want us to, uh, be able to take a deep dive in other topics and subjects, definitely let us know what you want to hear next. And as always, prepare to compete. We're out. Peace.
