Speaker: [00:00:00] Today's episode is built for veterans who want clarity, not noise when it comes to VA claims strategy and long-term planning. Let me read that again.
Speaker: Today's episode is built for veterans who want clarity and not noise when it comes to VA claim strategy and long-term planning.
Speaker 2: We're going to break through. We're going to break through this into, we're going to break this into, okay. We're going to break this into four focus topics. We're gonna break this into four focus topics, so you follow the logic and apply it immediately.
Speaker: [00:01:00] First, we will explain the four ways the VA grant service connection, and when each is applied. Me. Do that again because I wanna say one
Speaker: first We would. First, we will explain the four ways the VA grant service connection, and when each one applies.
Speaker 2: Second, we will define secondary conditions, including how they work, and examples of conditions that could be claimed together. Starting with the reminder that primary condition must be service connected s.
Speaker 2: Okay. Second, we would define secondary conditions, including how they work and examples of conditions that can be claimed together, starting with the reminder that the primary condition must be service connected.[00:02:00]
Speaker 2: Second, we would define secondary service conditions, including how they work, and examples of conditions that can be claimed together. Starting with a reminder that the primary condition must be service connected.
Speaker 3: I want you to lean your mic this way. Alright, cool. That's it.
Speaker: Third, we will connect VA benefits to financial planning and home ownership, including how service connection can impact the VA loan through the funding fee exemption, and how compensation affects affordability decisions.
Speaker 2: And fourth, we will zoom out the policy using the VA rule [00:03:00] change as a reference point.
Speaker 2: Then give veterans a practical way to stay informed at the federal and local level.
Speaker 3: Where am I?
Speaker 2: One more up.
Speaker 3: Oh, no, no, no, no. We good there? We just gonna transition. Okay. So what I want to do now is what exactly I want to go to.
Speaker: How to be. Alright, we ready?
Speaker: Hello. Welcome to the Prepare to Compete podcast. We talk all things VA benefits, real estate, entrepreneurship, and more. Kenneth Davis, how you feeling today? My brother?
Speaker 2: Uh, doing well, doing well again. Uh, today obviously as the dust settles, we're here to go ahead and make sure that veterans are informed, [00:04:00] educated, and ready to go.
Speaker 3: Okay, so then we'll cut and then now I want to go put that on the screen
Speaker 3: and
Speaker: then hit my shit. Then I hit it
Speaker 3: because I, now I hear it. There we.
Speaker: All right, so let's start with the foundation. How VA grant service connection. No. Did I wanted to, did I have something to say before that?
Speaker 3: Lemme make sure I didn't miss out there.
Speaker 3: Okay. Yeah, I had something to say before that.
Speaker 3: Okay. [00:05:00] Yeah, that one. I wanted to start with that one. Okay. So I'm starting this slide now, so don't mess it up. I'm starting it with now. All right. I might, let me see. 'cause y'all be messing up. Let me reset this for y'all. Hold on.
Speaker 4: Hmm. You ready? Yeah. Oh, I thought you were still looking for it.
Speaker: The better you understand service, connection and evidence, the better you can plan financially and strategically. Okay, so let's start with the foundation. [00:06:00] How VA grants service connection.
Speaker: What? I want to be back to b.
Speaker 3: I want
Speaker: to be there now. Why the fuck they got the delay like that? Hold on.
Speaker 3: Okay. See, they got the delay
Speaker: Fucked up. All right.
Speaker: And can for the first question here, will we really wanna know, I know we may talk about this a lot, but the veterans need to know what are the four types of service connection?
Speaker 2: Well, let's get into it. So one type of service connection is pretty much the simplest, right? Um, it's gonna be a direct service connection.
Speaker 2: Uh, that is gonna be relatively what it means, right? Directly correlated to military [00:07:00] service, uh, where injury transpired during military service and calls, uh, any type of ramification later on throughout life where the condition could be chronic. And I wanna be sure I wanna be clear about this, right? Uh, I think there's a lot of veterans that.
Speaker 2: I think chronicity or chronic issues means that you are in deliberating pain or causing major, major transgressions in your life. And that's not true. It's just not true. Okay. Uh, chronic issues is. Pain or other condition, other symptoms that could arose from a previous condi onset of a, lemme state that again, I'm gonna go back to chronic conditions.
Speaker 2: It is a chronic condition [00:08:00] that stemmed from military service, uh, and the onset was while in service. So when we talk about symptomology or any symptoms, uh, related to that, we understand that the symptoms could, uh, it can, it could be a multitude of things based upon the condition at hand, right? Uh, pain, uh, you know, eliminate, eliminating headaches, just so many different things.
Speaker 2: We can go on and on and on. Uh, however, the, the actual symptoms continue to be chronic throughout life.
Speaker: No, definitely. Absolutely. Kenneth. So, no, hold on, hold on before I say that. But you didn't say the four types though. Did you list them all?
Speaker 5: Oh, I'm sorry. No, we can, we can do it again.
Speaker: Yeah, because you was just supposed to ask.
Speaker 5: Yeah, I just said one.
Speaker: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. All right. So, because the goal here is to keep [00:09:00] these segments no more than eight minutes, and I'm a, I'm asking you two questions.
Speaker: So essentially the question is, what are the four types of service connections? So you're going to list them. Well, the four types of service connections are, you know, primary, aggravated, presumptive, secondary. And then say a fact about direct, well, I said primary, but say the fact about direct, then say a fact about secondary, you know, however you listed 'em.
Speaker: And then boom, that's it. And then I'm gonna ask you, um, for each type, what is the simplest evidence package of veterans need to think about? And then, so, you know, well, for director, for
Speaker 2: each type,
Speaker: yeah. Oh, that's not a simple question.
Speaker 2: No. For each type. What is the It is the same fall.
Speaker: Okay. That's great.
Speaker 2: That's too, I ain't giving you that. That's too much.
Speaker: That's great. They don't know that,
Speaker 2: that's, I'm not giving you, that's the problem. That's the, that's the sauce. Two [00:10:00] behind the scenes sauce. It may, it may seem simple
Speaker: it how simple
Speaker 2: you think it is,
Speaker: but it, they don't know that they thinking 'cause and that's why this came up mainly 'cause somebody was asking about secondary conditions.
Speaker: They always asking about that. People be thinking, they be knowing about people they don't
Speaker 2: know shit.
Speaker: Yeah. But they be trying, oh, well why did we not claim, you know, they always be doing all that type of stuff. And so that's why it's like you, that's why you gotta continue to talk about this shit, because
Speaker 5: I ain't talking about it
Speaker: because
Speaker 5: this is a, a, a Yeah.
Speaker: Is Kimble even tell it is the, the simplest shit is the ones that they watch and all of that. And you ain't even really tell 'em nothing but those, this is the shit that they are searching.
Speaker 5: Yeah.
Speaker: All right, so I'll, so we're gonna do this whole lead in to this one over again. So what, what I say here? All right.
Speaker 2: They
Speaker 5: gonna
Speaker 2: give me,
Speaker 3: I [00:11:00] get you
Speaker 2: could bust their head over with the 1151.
Speaker: Mm-hmm. Alright, so let's get back into it.
Speaker 2: Bonus segment. Got something very special for you. You only thought there were four types? We have one more.
Speaker: Okay. So I can't recall if I said this in the last slide or not, but if I said this in the last slide, then you could go ahead and cut it out.
Speaker: I believe I did, so I won't, I'll just ask you the question 'cause I know I did.
Speaker: All right. So I'm gonna get
Speaker 3: into.
Speaker: All right. So Kenneth, I know we may, you know, have covered this before, but you know, sometimes there's some confusion around this concept within the veteran community. So what we'd like to talk about today is exactly what are the four types of [00:12:00] service connection.
Speaker 2: Wow. You know, and, uh, it comes up so very often, uh, because again, when we talk about these things, I don't think you know, it, it.
Speaker 2: Sometimes it's so pinpointed on how to get service connected and, and a lot of people are so focused on two things, right? Uh, we're focused on the direct conditions and also secondary a lot of times. Uh, but there's other ways about about getting service connected. And when we talk about the four types of service connection, we're gonna look at a direct service connection, uh, which is gonna be directly related to military service.
Speaker 2: We're gonna look at, uh, secondary conditions, uh, where when we talk about secondary condition can be service connected and the, when we talk about secondary condition, I want you guys to understand the condition that you are, that you're requesting, uh, secondary service connection to. Must be service connected.
Speaker 2: In order to be related to service. Uh, that's one common mistake I think a lot of veterans make [00:13:00] on a regular basis. Uh, and you'll be very surprised. Uh, again, a third and a third is aggravation. Aggravation. Uh, what is aggravation ser uh, aggravation To be service connected based upon aggravation, you must need, uh, a injury prior to military service.
Speaker 2: Okay. And when we talk about prior to military service, I know there's many veterans that, uh, have come in on waivers and different things of that nature. So we gotta, we gotta understand that. Um, now that injury, it must specifically.
Speaker 2: I am gonna start over, back to that injury. So that injury, that was
Speaker 2: I, I'm gonna start over. Back to that injury, that injury must progress beyond its normal. Uh, [00:14:00] state of progression while in service. So that injury must be,
Speaker 2: I'm gonna go back to that injury. Dang.
Speaker 6: Okay.
Speaker 2: It's important. That's that day.
Speaker 6: It is important.
Speaker 2: No, it's a specific language that I want to use.
Speaker: What was so hot now is like, let's say in the lobby, we wanted to broadcast what we're doing to somebody that was out there, we interviewing or something. Mm-hmm. This allows us to do that very easily. 'cause you had two outs.
Speaker 5: Mm-hmm.
Speaker: So I could literally [00:15:00] just, they could see exactly what we see
Speaker: because like on that little screen I'm showing a lot.
Speaker 2: There we go. That's.
Speaker 2: I'm gonna start back at that injury. So that injury must, it, it, it, I, I wanna be very specific. It must worsen or intensify beyond its normal progression. While in service it must intensify or worsen. Beyond its normal progression while in military service. I wanna be clear about that. Uh, the fourth condition would be presumptive, right?
Speaker 2: Presumptive has been a really, really big thing with the PACT Act right now, and so on and so forth. So, uh, again, a presumptive condition, which is a condition that has already been [00:16:00] noted by military service. Now you are gonna be automatically service connected, uh, with a diagnosis. As long as you meet the parameters of being in a certain place, time and circumstance, then that will get your service connected as well.
Speaker: No, definitely, Ken, have great information there. And now when we're talking about situations, right? And so in what situations situations would a veteran use each type of service connection?
Speaker 4: Situations.
Speaker: Okay, so I'll reset the roll. Alright, Ken, a very much so great information with letting us know the four types of service connection. So now when veterans are filling out their VA disability applications, they're often [00:17:00] confused on whether they should apply for the service connection under direct, under secondary, under aggravation, or under presumptive.
Speaker: So can you sort of help the veteran community know what situation would. A veteran use each type.
Speaker 2: Well, uh, specifically a veteran wouldn't necessarily use a direct service connection. Uh, pinpoint an action and, and, and, and, and, and I want to be, make sure that we are, we're all on the aligned and on the same page. Is that, uh, direct service connection That is gonna be the com most common. And that is gonna automatically be assumed, um, once again, a claim is submitted, which typically, uh, if again, we are talking about regulatory purposes.
Speaker 2: And so, uh, again, a a claim adjudicator should actually go through all the service connection types to make sure [00:18:00] that, um, that you are qualified under. All right? Um, so it, however, it does behoove you to actually put. The service connection type down, and what you're looking for, if we are claiming a condition, let's say right knee, secondary to your left knee, and the second the right knee has caused an, uh, intensified pain, uh, ongoingly.
Speaker 2: And, and now with that being said, it should be service connected. So that's a, that's a typical situation for secondary service connection, um, and for aggravation. Aggravation could be a condition where, when, in a situation where you have caused an injury prior to service, uh, let's say a aum, a neck injury, and now that neck injury has actually been gotten worse over the time while you have either transitioned outta the military or [00:19:00] while inside a service, and then now that neck.
Speaker 2: Injury has continued to worsen over time, and that's gonna actually get your aggravation service connection. But again, one thing I will say, uh, we need, we need, we need to focus on the documentation that transpired prior to service, right? Uh, because we know that the military, uh, either they accepted you or you didn't, uh, with that injury prior to service.
Speaker 2: And, uh, lastly, presumptive. Presumptive would, uh, necessarily be, um.
Speaker 2: Presumptive service connection. That is gonna be, I'm getting into situations. Mm-hmm. Okay. Gotcha. Situations, uh, presumptive service connection is gonna be a situation where, let's say, uh, you were exposed to a toxic chemical. Uh, that toxic chemical is then going to go ahead and provide you, uh, with, uh, depending on the diagnosis and the condition, it's gonna give you the [00:20:00] access to service connection based upon exposure, right?
Speaker 2: Exposure, time, place, circumstance. And you were exposed at that time of year. Now have this specific diagnosis. Now, at that point, you could be, you could be service connected there.
Speaker 5: I trying to help you out.
Speaker 2: I ain't know. Ain't nothing. I ain't got no claims over. We over with the,
Speaker 3: I went to eHow. E. Wasn't supposed to. Supposed to. Supposed to go to E. We done. I could have stayed at EE. Stay at, get myself back on that. I'll be getting in my shot. I hate that. I use that
Speaker 5: I can scoot on.
Speaker 3: No, no, no.
Speaker 3: Don't, don't change that. No. Wonderful, Kenneth. So now that we understood, okay, so am I, do I wanna say this on this one or do I want to say, do I want to switch the slide? [00:21:00] Do this one. I think I want to switch the slide first and do this one. Let me go. Ah, you motherfucker. Okay,
Speaker 3: see,
Speaker 3: and then that is D.
Speaker: Alright, Kenneth. So wonderful information there. So now that we understand the, oh.
Speaker: Alright, Kenneth. Wonderful information there. So now that the foundation is clear, let's focus on one of the most misunderstood service connection types, and that's gonna be secondary conditions. [00:22:00] Don't say, then,
Speaker 3: lemme get my shit right. I gotta get my shit right. I ain't got my stuff right. This fucking thing is failing me right now.
Speaker 3: All right.
Speaker 3: Okay. So I said that and then I was gonna say, where's my, where's my lead in thing? Here?
Speaker 3: Uh, look at this.
Speaker 3: Okay, so. Switch this slide.
Speaker 3: Dirty conditions. I need to keep this one and that one close to each other. Oh my God. Move that shit over here.[00:23:00]
Speaker 3: Move that over there.
Speaker: Ah, we got
Speaker 3: it.
Speaker: All right. So Kenneth, what is considered a secondary condition for VA Service Connection?
Speaker 5: We just talk about it.
Speaker: We gotta do it again.
Speaker 5: What is a considered a secondary condition for VA service Connection.
Speaker: Okay, so I'm gonna give you more of a leader if you need that. He, he be doing. Alright. So Kenneth, [00:24:00] wonderful. Again, we talked about the four types of service connection, but again, secondary service connection is so confusing for the veteran community, right?
Speaker: Uh, whether, uh, the direct service connection is already service connected and a myriad of different scenarios for veterans. Because oftentimes you might have. More than one condition that's affecting another condition. So our veterans really need to know what conditions to claim as secondary to what, for the highest likelihood of, uh, service connections.
Speaker: So, you know, just to kind of simplify all of that, you know, what is considered secondary conditions for VA service connection.
Speaker: So a secondary condition is something that it [00:25:00] may not have transpired in service, but because of a service connected injury, you know, you developed this.
Speaker 5: I got it.
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker 5: I'm just saying the same thing over I, I'm trying to figure out a better way to say it again.
Speaker: Yeah, right. But, but also, this is gonna be on video again, but then it's like.
Speaker: You, you gotta, you gotta dummy proof this stuff for him. I'm telling you.
Speaker 2: That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to, I didn't, I went to it all the way to the bottom.
Speaker: Yeah, you, you,
Speaker 2: I don't know how to do it
Speaker: because you know what's gonna happen. They going to watch that one and then don't watch this one and then be like, well, he didn't tell us enough about secondary conditions.
Speaker: I'm telling you. I'm telling you I got it. Because they don't be watching the whole video and you know what I mean? All of this, it is just all them
Speaker 2: different factors. No, I get it. I get it. Yeah. Uh, yeah. Well, great. Uh, great, great question. Well, uh, uh, I think a, a prime example of a secondary service connection, uh, which, which, which, which I [00:26:00] think a lot of veterans could really kind of empathize with is, is, um, knee pain.
Speaker 2: Right? Knee pain is something that I think a lot of veterans, uh, well. When we talk about knee pain, I mean, I don't mean actually joint pain 'cause there's so many, uh, different type of, uh, runs, physical training, r marches. Uh, again, uh, when we talk about running, jumping, jogging, um, and even Sandy for long periods of time could cause impact on, uh, the joints.
Speaker 2: And thinking about that, a lot of times, uh, what's affected is, uh, knee pain, back pain, ankle pain. But it may not be both lower extremities. Right. Or the, uh, it may not be. Uh, only affected the back, but also nerve conditions. Well, when we talk about knee pain, let's really focus on one knee that is service connected.
Speaker 2: Now, if there's one knee service connected and we understand that, that service connection, uh, wass implemented [00:27:00] during service, however, that was, that was about 10 years ago. How could we find if. That knee is really causing pain or range of motion issues or gait or a light limp that has really affected your left knee and now you want to be able to acc claim your left knee to be service connected.
Speaker 2: Well, I think that's a plausible cause to be able to make sure that you claim your left knee for service connection and now I think the VA would remiss to say so as well. So I want you to understand that a secondary service connection will always be related to a service, current service, connected condition.
Speaker 2: Veterans. This is, this is an ongoing problem and that's why I bring it up. It must be service connected. Your primary [00:28:00] condition must be service connected to make a clean pathway, uh, for secondary service connection.
Speaker: Now you bring up a good point there, Kenneth. So now what if the veteran is not service connected yet, but they know one condition caused another?
Speaker: So I know you used the knee example, but let's say. Uh, back condition causing hip condition or causing lower nerve condition. And is it okay for them in that situation to still claim the lower nerve condition secondary to the back condition? Although it's not service connected yet because it's on the same claim?
Speaker 2: Yes, totally. You can have, oh shit. Hold
Speaker: on.
Speaker 3: Alright, now, now go. Yes, totally.
Speaker 2: Yes, totally. You have, you can have. You can claim as many second conditions as you would like. It does not matter how many secondary service condi [00:29:00] conditions that you want to claim based upon a one service connected condition. Now, will I say the, are there actual causation of that secondary condition?
Speaker 2: Well, we would have to find out. The VA can only make that determination for you. However, also you can figure out a different possibilities from your actual, uh, uh, primary care provider or the physician that is seen. So when you actually go to your medical appointments, because I know all veterans are, are registered for the VA healthcare system and you guys are getting treatment as you should, that is a cause to be able to ask if that could be a, a plausible thing that can happen.
Speaker: Okay, so, no, that's a very great point there. So basically when you are working with your physicians and getting your diagnos, uh, when you're working with your [00:30:00] physicians and getting diagnosed with. The condition and getting your treatment plan, that's something that you may wanna check with your physicians for during that period of time?
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, uh, it's, it's, it's, it's only rank, right? Uh, we are consistently getting physicals, uh, getting checked and, uh, making sure that our health and wellness is up to par. So why not go ahead and make that request? I think you have the access to make a request to ask questions. It is your right to ask questions, uh, because there could be, uh, some pathway there and that could have, that could have, uh, been the pathway.
Speaker 2: Um, but there's multiple pathways. When we talk about service connection, um, because we talk about service connection, I want you to be aware it is not only the primary condition that could cause a secondary service connection. It can be circumstantial as well. [00:31:00] Right. So, uh, let's say that same right knee that is already service connected, well, we understand that your knee could sometimes give out due to instability.
Speaker 2: My, it, it, mines, it happens all the time. But now your knee caused instability and it caused you your knee to give out. Now you have fallen down the stairs. That could cause a multitude of secondary injuries, uh, that happens on a regular basis. So that's why we wanna be very, very aware and careful. Uh, one,
Speaker 3: that's why we wanna be very, very careful.
Speaker 2: That's why, that's why, that's why
Speaker 3: my phone will never not be on that do nothing disturb.
Speaker 2: I know.
Speaker 3: That's what,[00:32:00]
Speaker 2: um, that's why you wanna be very aware that your primary service connected condition could, could really cause a multitude of injuries. Sometimes you gotta take a step back and get the assistance that you need to be able to connect the dots. I think that's very important as well. Uh, because a lot of this stuff is complex, but I think sometimes the secondary service connection, uh, entry point is a great entry point and entryway for a lot of claims to actually be, uh, service connected and granted.
Speaker 2: Okay, so again, veterans, uh, let's take advantage of this, uh, this secondary service connection pathway.
Speaker: No, absolutely. Great information there. So, kinda as we kind of continue this discussion and some other questions to get, uh, some details to the veterans, uh, just examples regarding some of the conditions that are very common, right?
Speaker: When we're talking about the family of [00:33:00] secondary service connection and we talk a lot about different mental health conditions and how that interacts with. Uh, headaches, how that may interact with, uh, sleep apnea and other things. So, uh, can you give the better community? Don't sleep apnea.
Speaker 2: Don't you want to, you want to go ahead.
Speaker 2: Give 'em all you want. Do I just
Speaker: do, do 'em too
Speaker 2: much? We make conditions list. We make these conditions based upon the sauce that you giving.
Speaker 6: I,
Speaker 6: I
Speaker 2: know it's, I know, know it's coming to you.
Speaker 6: Okay. Alright. We reset that. We reset it, we reset. Let me figure out a, it
Speaker 2: is like a dive in, but damn.
Speaker 6: Yeah. I mean, they say get a people to people. They say get a people to people.
Speaker 2: Oh God. Don't.
Speaker 6: Alright. All right. All, all right. Now I got, I You
Speaker 2: want me to get old list?
Speaker 2: You already gave three.
Speaker 6: Mm-hmm. Already gave. You don't gotta give me anymore.
Speaker 2: But I'm not saying this is not, not a lot of times they're not going to get it. Subject connect anyway, but it still, it is [00:34:00] just, it's possible. Well, it was more possible than I, I mean, it depends. I mean, but it is, shit, it's a lot. I mean, it always
Speaker 6: depends.
Speaker 6: Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2: All right. All, he's like, oh, let's give
Speaker: them two bucks. All
Speaker 2: that's a lot of sauce. I mean, that's a lot of songs. I mean, it is. So, I mean, we can do some unique ones.
Speaker: I mean, but somebody else told him that already. So it's not like, if not, no, they still not using
Speaker 2: it just because somebody else told 'em.
Speaker 2: Do what that mean. We gotta tell them.
Speaker: I guess not. I mean, not necessarily. Not necessarily. All right. Um,
Speaker 2: I'm not saying we can't tell. I mean, we can glance over it.
Speaker: Yeah, we can glance over it. All right. All right. So all, so let me, let me try to do it where I don't say as much. And then you could add, and, you know, so, because
Speaker 2: the conditions, that's a, that's a, that's a part of our sauce.
Speaker: No, a hundred hundred percent. You want? Yeah, a hundred [00:35:00] percent. No, absolutely. Great information there. And as we kind of continue to still dive into, uh, the secondary service connections, wanna kind of expand a little bit on some conditions that kind of oftentimes fall on being a service connected under secondary basis.
Speaker: So, you know, obviously we're dealing with, uh, mental health, uh, unfortunately there, and how that goes along with dealing with symptoms of headaches or sleep apnea. So, can you be able to kind of talk to the veterans about how they could successfully navigate those things as secondary conditions?
Speaker 2: I don't get the question. So you said, just tell them again what all you just said.
Speaker: No, well, well, I mean basically, so, okay, so yeah, veteran. So if you're dealing with mental [00:36:00] health conditions, uh, that can in fact actually cause you to have, uh, headaches, that can be a cause of that. Or you know, or you know, your sleep apnea is flared up by, you know, having symptoms from this other condition.
Speaker: You know, just tell them that type of stuff with those particular conditions. 'cause those are key words and conditions that they like to talk about.
Speaker 2: They do. That's,
Speaker: yeah,
Speaker 2: that's why I'm like, damn, we followed into what? Yeah, I got
Speaker: you. We
Speaker 6: gotta give 'em what they want to talk about.
Speaker 2: I feel you.
Speaker 2: Yeah, sure. So, uh, with that, there's, there's so many different, you know, conditions that we can kind of, uh, call have causation, right. Um, however, I think, uh, there's a lot of, uh, aspects of certain conditions that's. Uh, you know, as you mentioned, you know, mental health being able to be a, a, a pinpoint [00:37:00] factor that could, could really, really stem headaches, you know, and that's a, that's a factor as well.
Speaker 2: Uh, when we talk about headaches and migraines, again, it could be caused by a, by a multitude of. Primary conditions and mental health is one, right? Um, ob obvious, uh, sleep apnea as well. And, and again, we can go down the pathway of how sleep apnea could really be caused by mental health issues. Um, mental health could be a, it is again, they has a arrangement of, uh, assortment of, uh, symptoms and understand that they, they has an arrangement and an assortment of symptoms.
Speaker 2: I want you to be, I wanna be very clear that. When we're going down a pathway, and again, this is not, uh, current advice on what to do for your claim, but when I'm, when I'm specifically stating this, understand that mental health could actually cause a lot of weight gain, you know, uh, or cause the decrease in weight gain.[00:38:00]
Speaker 2: So when we're actually looking at mental health, again, you can actually be able to gain weight and over time now that weight gain specifically can actually. Have issues in your respiratory system. The weight could push up your, to your, your, your actual, your neck, uh, your breathing, uh, your actual breathing.
Speaker 2: Um, the, uh, while you're sleeping, your weight gain could actually push up to your airway. That could specifically cause issues later down the line, such as sleep, ap. So, uh, taking consideration of that, that's a, that's a lot of factors again, that I think veterans don't consider when we're talking about service connect, uh, secondary service, connecting conditions.
Speaker 3: Get my shit fucked up over there.
Speaker 2: I've seen it. I don't know if you want me to stop.
Speaker 3: No, you didn't need to stop. Why did that do that? I think something going on with the [00:39:00] internet, the North Las Vegas internet, because I didn't plug the damn thing. So now that it did that, what I want to do is I'm gonna stop it.
Speaker 7: Okay, editors Uhoh, let me get you right so you can, you can hear me, but you probably can't see the boy, so don't, don't you worry. All right, so we left off on talking about secondary conditions and I have some things I wanted to check. So I started a new. Thing here, which now you're gonna see the videos in in two separate, uh, files.
Speaker 7: Right? So now we're gonna finish the next two topics, uh, within this file here, barring nothing crazy happens again. Okay? So [00:40:00] that's see.
Speaker 7: All right, so absolutely great information on secondary service connection, [00:41:00] and next we're gonna. All right, and next we're going to connect benefit strategy to financial planning, and specifically we want to talk about how compensation in the VA loan supports home ownership.
Speaker 7: All right, Kenneth, so I know I am. The real estate expert of the crew here, but I know you also have a lot of knowledge here, so definitely wanted to kind of go back and forth on the discussion here. That's, you know, a pretty, a large one, right? You know, home ownership is becoming more and more unaffordable and veterans really need to make sure they're maximizing their opportunity.[00:42:00]
Speaker 7: So with maximizing the VA benefit, they're really able to increase the type of home they're able to afford. So now, when you were going through and purchasing your first home, were you aware of just how the funding fee, uh, intersected with VA service connection? Yeah, no. No, you, no. Just Were you aware about the funding fee and anything you said when I purchased my fur loan?
Speaker 7: Well, you, no. They gonna know you purchased a home. They, they is not saying if you service connected. So I, I, I, I specifically answered it that way. They gonna know you a homeowner, but they ain't gonna know if you service connected like so. Were you aware of that? Maybe it was, but I dunno the answer to that.
Speaker 9: No. What was the question? Okay. Were you aware that, um, when you purchased your first home, basically, you know, if you were service connected, there was a funding fee exemption. So were [00:43:00] you like educated about how that worked? No way. No. How I was aware about any type of funding fee, funding fee exemptions.
Speaker 10: Uh, just, uh, just going through the process was just a new and scary new life that I, I was just unaware of. And also going through the process. One thing that you know, uh, that you always want to kind of peel back to see is what benefits can actually help the veteran. And the VA loan is one again. Uh, VA loan entitlement is one of the, uh, grandest benefits, uh, for a veteran and that most veterans and all veterans should use.
Speaker 10: However, there are stipulations and the VA funding fee was one that I did not know about. No, [00:44:00] absolutely. That's an important one that the veterans and even active duty service members need to be aware of, you know, so of course if you are at least 10% service connected, you qualify to have that funding fee.
Speaker 7: Waived. Okay. So it's gonna be considered an exemption due to being service connected, and that funding fee can be a significant amount with it being 2.15% of the loan amount on your first purchase utilizing the VA loan. And if you use the VA loan again, because what some veterans don't know is you can utilize that VA loan more than once.
Speaker 7: You can actually have the funding fee increase, so you wanna make sure you're maximizing your VA benefits, and if you qualify for service connection, you absolutely want to utilize that because that's going to help [00:45:00] decrease thousands of dollars on your spending for your home loan.
Speaker 7: Nothing that. Oh, I was gonna, yeah, I was gonna, um, I thought we was following the thing. Oh yeah, we follow the thing. We following the thing intensely. That's what I'm, no, no, no. We, we are, I mean, yeah, you going to the B question there? I mean, 'cause, because now we're talking about that and Yeah, you could lead it into it because now the next part of it is, uh, talking about, well, you could start at 10%, but obviously, you know, if you are able to get the higher percentages.
Speaker 7: That is significantly more income. No, I can rock it. I'm just, because we just, no, no. Yeah, yeah. No, no. Perfect. Yeah, just don't even fake shit else about the funding fee. Just kick it to that question, like basically talking about how actually having that, um, those additional funds go to help because a lot of veterans, they're purchasing their homes, but they're not retired.
Speaker 7: They're still working and then having this additional income, and then we just gonna have a conversation about that.[00:46:00]
Speaker 10: Yeah, so I mean, when we talk about the funding fee, right, there's so many different layers of with it. Uh, you're absolutely right. It saves thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for veterans, and it's, uh, just as simple of, of making sure that you are 10% service connected. Um, and in some cases we can arguably say, uh, this is one, uh, one of the house hacks that, you know, uh, that we can be applied to what house hacking looks like, right?
Speaker 10: Um, but I will say again, when we're talking about that, your benefits play a huge part as well. Uh, because when we talk about this additional tax free compensation, this is a very, very, very special thing. And why I say it's so special, because it is tax currently at this moment tax free, and the VA loan looks as as such.
Speaker 10: Uh, again, when we talk about that, it is going to give you the opportunity to support [00:47:00] you and your family to enter home ownership. Based upon the benefit compensation that you receive. Okay? And now with those benefits, we wanna make sure that you are not only walking into the house, uh, as a first home home buyer, but your VA disability compensation could assist being able to get you in the house that you want.
Speaker 10: Why I say that is because it is tax free. And now, uh, we can go into the discussions of, uh, being able to, uh, leverage that by increasing, or lo I'm sorry, lowering your DTI or debt to income ratio. Uh, but again, we can go on and on about that. But again, uh, specifically, uh, the VA loan is one of those most magnificent, uh, entitlements that is offered.
Speaker 7: No, absolutely. And really it acts as the gateway, right? So when you are, you know, looking at purchasing a home [00:48:00] and you are a service connected veteran, well that increased income, again, as Ken said, is going to, uh, be a tremendous tool for you, uh, to have additional funds, right? Because oftentimes. You, you may be limited in, uh, what you make on your regular job.
Speaker 7: However, when you combine having your extra $4,000 a month, that's gonna make a world of difference, uh, in qualifying for a home, but also just in being able to maintain. A basic, uh, standard of living as expenses continue to arise. So what you really want to do and kind of what we want to shift the conversation towards Kenneth is.
Speaker 7: Uh, how veterans could really make sure that they're having the correct financial planning and not experiencing that, uh, lifestyle creep when they're, uh, getting service connected. Because a lot of [00:49:00] times you'll have that big, uh, back pay and, you know, you may go out and hopefully again, as we're talking about purchase a home, but you may buy.
Speaker 7: Uh, new car. You may get new furniture, other, uh, different toys and, and things that you like for yourself, your spouse and the kids, but you really wanna make sure that you are. Uh, utilizing that and you're really treasuring that money, right? Because if you think about the reason that you are receiving that money in the first place, it's because you put your body on the line for the country.
Speaker 7: So every penny that you receive from the va, you wanna make sure that it's going towards something that is very much so meaningful for you and your family.
Speaker 7: No, you don't got nothing to add to that. No, we, I mean, I ain't know we telling folks what to do with their money. This is all new for me. [00:50:00] We very intensely following this. I mean, we talking about planning and, you know, all of that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, you. We, I wanted to switch it up a little bit. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 7: You know, get, get, like, to give real estate a whole different perspective and just talking about that. Yeah, a hundred percent. Because that's the really, it'd be the main problems when you're talking about buying a house. It'd be the fact that like they just got a new car or they, you know, all of these different things.
Speaker 7: And then even when you buy the house, it's like, it's great that you just got your. Uh, $4,000 a month, but now you just raise your expenses so much that it doesn't even seem like extra money anymore. And I think what, what I was just echoing there is kind of really important. And as a veteran I want you to talk about that.
Speaker 7: Like, like you really put your life on the line to get this money and you just about to blow it on bullshit. Yeah, yeah. No, I agree. But I think there's a different approach. Oh, okay. I just think it came off, uh, telling folks what to do that. Okay. But I don't know. That's what I'm saying. [00:51:00] I, that's the way I received it.
Speaker 7: Wait, alright. Well we we'll switch it back up. Say something else. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. We not intentionally following this No, no. For this segment. We, we, we just, those are the only two questions. Those are the only two retire requirements of this segment. Was the, was the, was the, say that and say this.
Speaker 7: We want to let 'em know about, okay. Tax exemption, I mean the um. The whole thing with the V loan funding fee. And then like, you know, making sure that you utilize your, your benefits accordingly. Okay. Um, yeah, I mean, you could even say that. Say it like, yeah. I mean, well we all wanna tell people what to do with they money, but you know, definitely you wanna make sure that you have and overall have some type of, you know, financial planning and things and talk about how important that is.
Speaker 10: Yeah, no, true indeed. Uh. No, I, I, I totally agree. I totally agree. Mr. Jones. Uh, and you really gotta, you really gotta understand veterans listen. Um, we are not here to, uh, tell you [00:52:00] by any means of the sort, uh, to do anything with the benefits that is offered to you, whether if it's the compensation benefits or, uh, via home.
Speaker 10: We're here strictly to educate. I want you to understand that. Uh, but, uh, now, but when we talk about financial planning, um, it's so, it's so, so, so, so sad. Uh, to really see the veterans that has really sacrificed going through this financial hardship issues that unfortunately could literally,
Speaker 10: let's,
Speaker 10: I'm gonna start a sacrifice. Let's start a sacrifice. I don't know. Yeah. But I had it on the, uh, main screen, right? Oh. Um, I don't know. All right. I just wish to this. Alright, so yeah, let me do this. [00:53:00] Alright, go. We can start over. No, no. You good? It was on this screen.
Speaker 10: No, lemme start over. All right, start over over because I'm trying to, what I'm trying to do is, uh, I'm trying to slow down and this was, uh. I guess coaching, like slow, uh,
Speaker 10: shortening the approach. Just basically like we're trying to shortening the problem to solution, making it this bit. Mm-hmm. Absolutely. And business and also on the pod, but the thing is it can coach you fast at the same time too, so, no. And, uh, Mr. Jones, again, you're totally right. Listen, veterans by all means.
Speaker 10: We are not here to tell you what to do with your compensation bene, uh, your benefits, and also your disability compensation or any type of, uh, benefits that's offered to you, including the VA home loan. But what we are here to do is educate, [00:54:00] listen, veterans, you put your mind, body, and soul on the line and thousands before you has lost their lives.
Speaker 10: So let's cherish the benefits that's offered to you. Not only cherish the benefits, let's put them to good use. For your family. For your family, this is who you're doing it for. So let's make sure that we really, really take use and really, really put in perspective how your benefits can be useful to buy a home.
Speaker 10: You remember, bh, that's what it is. Let's go ahead and make sure that we continue to utilize. Uh, those benefits for good use. And when we talk about financial planning, I do wanna always make sure that we speak on how is it going to maximize the VA home loan? And I really want to come in and, you know, really ask you what do you think some [00:55:00] of the maximum, uh, some of the benefits.
Speaker 10: Of the disability compensation going to the VA home loan to get off of the loan and off of the entitlement. How do you think that really, really, uh, puts veterans at an advantage other than the obvious? I don't know. What's the answer? Um, I thought good. So. This is just not a good filming day. This is just this, some days are good filming days.
Speaker 10: This is just not in one good one. This is just not a good filming day. Hey. Because it's like, yo, and now I see, when I ask you random questions, you be like, what? What? I mean, I can go a couple up different ways. There's so many different, yeah, yeah. In so many different ways. Okay. I mean, it's cool. We could, it is like, but it's like, well, it's on camera.
Speaker 10: That's the thing that's you're trying to. You're trying to think about because of the camera, you know the answer, but you're thinking because it's the, the camera in front. Yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah. A hundred percent. Just like, okay, well, like what's the answer that we mostly trying to get to at, at the whole point?
Speaker 7: You know what the, [00:56:00] because you asked about the conversation, like how the conversation helps. Yeah. The home loan. Okay. Well, Kenneth, as you echoed earlier, uh, the conversation primarily helps again for you to qualify for the home, okay? So it's going to be added to your, uh, qualifiable income. So if you have a job or career yourself, uh, your, uh, spouse, and then you're able to add that additional income.
Speaker 7: So if you needed that to qualify for a bigger home. Great. Uh, but if not, it could be calculated as reserves so that even if, let's say, without that additional income, let's say you qualify for a $500,000 house, but maybe with that additional income you may qualify. For a $650,000 house, but you [00:57:00] can still choose to buy a $500,000 house and just totally disregard that income, even though that's gonna be a permanent benefit for you in most cases.
Speaker 7: So it really just provides a extra security blanket for you funding your, uh, living expenses, uh, in any sense of how you decide to utilize that and. Even though, let's say you are a hundred percent permanent in total, and we are just kind of rounding up here and say you're receiving $4,000 a month.
Speaker 7: They're not counting just the $4,000 a month because it is non-taxable, uh, funds there. So they're grossing that up and the lenders have their own calculations. On how they do that. So you always wanna make sure that you are speaking with, uh, a real estate professional in your area and also, uh, your mortgage [00:58:00] lender so they can educate you on your exact situation.
Speaker 7: But, uh, one other, uh, underutilized benefit that the veteran community. Is not always exposed to is that when purchasing a home, uh, so many different states and so many different, uh, local programs have down payment assistance programs that you can in fact utilize your VA loan for now because the VA loan.
Speaker 7: Does not qui because the VA loan does not require a down payment. Many active duty personnel and veterans utilizing the VA loan, they don't think towards utilizing down payment assistance, but many of those programs can be utilized. For closing costs that can be utilized for, in addition to just the closing costs that is associated with the transaction.
Speaker 7: You may [00:59:00] have credit card debt that you may wanna, uh, pay off and add that. Ask closing costs on that loan. You can utilize those down payment assistance programs a lot of times for that. So you always want to talk to your real estate professionals in your area and really look at all of the options. Yes, you already have.
Speaker 7: The down payment, taking care of utilizing that zero down payment required VA loan. But those other avenues of assistance programs can really assist you with, uh, maximizing and that's truly a maximization of your VA benefit. Wow. No, um, true, true indeed. Uh, I, I can't agree more. Uh, and, you know, and also. I think, you know, we, we, we miss one one, hugely valuable point stability, right?
Speaker 10: Uh, we, we, that, that stability that the lender [01:00:00] or, uh, real estate professional really goes in to look for. Uh, when you know, calculating your jobs, your income, and uh, your pretty much total gross overall gross income that is calculated in which your affordability of your home. We have to really understand that they're also looking for stability and that is a stable.
Speaker 10: Income that is gonna be ongoing. Uh, but I tell you right now, uh, one pro tip, right? Uh, a lot of times, and again, it's gonna be based upon the lender that is being used. Uh, when we talk about disability compensation, that is something that is going to typically be a ongoing monthly compensation payment due on to you.
Speaker 10: But a lot of veterans ask, can I use my GI bill education benefits for, uh, my home purchase? Typically, unfortunately a lot of lenders, the answer would say no. [01:01:00] And because it is a temporary income that is gonna be paid out to you while you are in school. So unfortunately, that income that is drawn in is not taken into consideration, uh, for your actual loan amount.
Speaker 11: Absolutely. All right, so now we'll switch gears and go to the next. If I need to press, see, do that.
Speaker 9: Ugh, my juice is out. I gotta restart my juice. Yeah. Well you gonna like this topic, Ken? I so, yeah. Alright, Kenneth, to really finish what we're talking today, just wanted to zoom all the way out. Right. And you know, talk about why policy changes matter and how veterans could ultimately [01:02:00] stay informed about the changes before it actually impacts them.
Speaker 11: Why the fuck the questions that on this,
Speaker 10: they say you ran out of juice just temporarily.
Speaker 9: You call me Doc Res. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 9: Doc Rivers. What? Alright. Kenneth Huge News came out this past February 20, 26. [01:03:00] Uh, regarding the recent VA medication rule that, you know, took the veteran community by store, right? So now what we want to talk about today is just why these changes happen and why they matter to the veteran community. Well listen, veterans, all regulation, policy and also legalities.
Speaker 10: It's gonna affect you and your family on a regular basis. So being in tune in relation to policy is gonna directly impact your benefits services and also, uh, local treatment or services or education in your actual, in your actual city. Oh, no, I was talking about local government. Nevermind. Let's bring that back.
Speaker 10: I'm gonna, I'm gonna re rock that.[01:04:00]
Speaker 10: Listen, veterans staying abreast with any type of regulatory chains, policy change, uh, update in a law. It is very, very, very impactful for veterans to understand and also find out, uh, what is being updated. What is being amended? What is being rescinded, what is being pushed through? Because it, uh, directly impacts you and the veteran community and the most important your family.
Speaker 10: It's, it's, it's just you want to be a part of that. So understanding the underlying elements and understanding how important this information is, it is critical. Because it can make or break your benefits. Absolutely. And you know [01:05:00] what we, I guess wanna know and educate the community regarding is just how can they actually stay informed.
Speaker 7: You have so many changes that are very polarizing on the federal level, but you also have so many, uh, state and local policies as well. It often could become a full-time job trying to stay in the know. So, uh, how can veterans kind of stay ahead and stay in the know of the policy changes that impact them?
Speaker 10: Well, it's so many different ways of stay informed, right? Uh, but let me give you a few of how not to stay informed and then we'll get into some that, how to stay informed. Well, let's, let's stay away from. Click bait social media headlines without looking into what the real policy is. Because when we're talking about directly, let's talk about VA policy specific.
Speaker 10: A lot of [01:06:00] policy, it's going to be pushed out to you through the federal registrar a lot of times, to be able to analyze, to be able to contribute comments and make sure that you are abreast with the actual change, regulatory change that is happening. Okay, so staying away from clickbait is possible. One, staying away from fearmongering, right?
Speaker 10: If a lot of. News or media that's pushed out does not give you direct correlation in what is the law, but also what is the regulation and how it directly impacts you, uh, with a bill number or regulatory, uh, a change number in fact, guess what? Um, if it is not tied to. That actual agency or that bill number, that is gonna be something that we need to take into consideration.
Speaker 10: Just because a bill is, [01:07:00] uh, sent up and being passed or being introduced by a champion, uh, a champion, uh, a senator or legislator or what have you, does not mean it's going to get passed. So let's stay informed about. How, when and what it affects. Those three are very impactful. So let's stay away from fearmongering and I think one of the last ways of not how not to get the information.
Speaker 10: Simply the rumor mill. Right? That travels so, so, so fast. Uh, listen, veterans, we always wanna make sure that we have clarity in any type of regulatory change or any type of regulation update that directly impacts you. Um, and, and, and, and listen. We love our brothers and sisters in arms, uh, but a [01:08:00] lot of them are not policy professionals.
Speaker 10: So let's take that in consideration. You don't have to be a policy professional to actually understand policy. Uh, but what I will say you need to do is make sure that you're in the room and be aware. So if not effectively, if they are not effectively in the room. Council meetings, board meetings, commission meetings, city chambers at the local veteran organizations and town halls, and so on and so forth.
Speaker 10: Well, a lot of times, I'll tell you right now, they're probably gonna be ill informed because VA benefits such as the VA home loan, such as va, disability compensation, such as, uh, uh, uh, V Rehab, and I can go on and on and on. [01:09:00] Well.
Speaker 10: Well, I'll tell you right now that it is literally being discussed at all those places, and it could impact you on a state le a state level, local level, and federal level. So. It is going to impact all levels of government, but directly impact you. So the information is filtered through all levels, but it directly impacts one person, the veteran.
Speaker 10: So you need to stay abreast in all fashions. And now let me give you one way on how you can stay. You can always hear to be a prepared to compete, where we're always gonna give you any type of policy updates that's gonna directly affect you, um, and also affect the benefits that services you and your family.[01:10:00]
Speaker 10: And also you can also join our community where we're gonna always push out the greatest and best information that has been vetted to you guys. So there's no worries in understanding what is real and what is not. No. Absolutely. Uh, great information there, Kenneth. And you know, before we kind of close it out here, you gave them all the different kind of resources and access points, right?
Speaker 7: And just wanted to reiterate like why it's important because a lot of times the. Congressmen, the, uh, government officials, they're really looking for as much feedback as possible. Mm. And if they don't have that feedback, it's really hard for them to, uh, really make the right decisions and implement policy correctly, because certain things they just do not consider, you know, there's been.
Speaker 7: Uh, so many things on the local level here in Las Vegas. [01:11:00] Even within real estate, uh, they've implemented new, uh, programs and policies for home ownership and just with a couple extra words, they could have actively included veterans and, uh, active duty service members amongst that with the VA loan, but.
Speaker 7: For one reason or another, not enough, uh, advocates were in the room to just say, Hey, well, you know, if you just do this because you are impacting those communities, uh, anyway. Right. And so just kind of being in the room and providing that feedback. Goes a long way with making sure things are implemented, uh, efficiently and effectively.
Speaker 7: And there's been a lot of changes even within, uh, the education, uh, sector. Right. I know there's been some different, uh, changes with the GI Bill that, uh, they're changing regulations due to realizing the implementation of a said policy [01:12:00] wasn't. Really what, um, they thought it was going to be. So, uh, Kenneth, if you wanted to really kind of, uh, talk to the veterans a bit, definitely those who stuck around here to this stage so they can really know more about that, uh, utilization of the v.
Speaker 7: The veterans so they could know more about that regarding the utilization of the GI Bill and the new changes that actually just came effective here in February of 2026.
Speaker 7: You gotta look it up. Yeah, I gotta take look. Is it about the four year thing? The 48 months extension? Yeah. Yeah. Well, it's a one year extension to 48 months. Right. Because it was 36 months. It was three years now. 36 months. But then you get 12 months out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Only thing you tell 'em they got 48 months.
Speaker 7: Boy, what be they gonna play for the, what's that other video [01:13:00] you just did? That little stuff right there. They, I'm like, oh no. He told me I got another 48 bucks. I enrolled in this program.[01:14:00]
Speaker 9: Ready? Mm-hmm.
Speaker 10: Yes. So [01:15:00] there was a, a really huge Supreme Court decision that transacted, uh, April 16th, 2024, and it was, uh, Rue versus mc, uh, McDonald. Uh, McDonald Hu. Sorry. Um, now the ruling changes, uh, specifically qua was going to qualify.
Speaker 10: I'm gonna start back at rule changes. So the ruling cha were cha so the ruling changes. So the ruling changes were specifically on how veterans. Qualify for the GI Bill. Okay. The Montgomery GI Bill, I wanna be very clear here. Uh, the Montgomery GI Bill and the post nine 11 bill and the use of their benefits, there was a time, obviously the V eight had to make a cutoff where you are either gonna use the Montgomery GI Bill [01:16:00] or you're going to u be able to use the post nine 11 gi.
Speaker 10: Bill. So at that point there are two separate qualifying periods of service. There could be ultimately two qualifying periods of service. Um, and, and it all depends, right? So if you had two separate periods of service and all, I wanna be clear, if you had two separate periods of service, which again, that could be Army, Navy, Marines, Navy, or what have you.
Speaker 10: Or just a qualifying period where you are active. Title 10 active duty during the Mc GI bill or, or a qualify and a qualifying period of active duty, uh, while you're in the post nine 11 GI bill. Well, that qualifying service that could have mean, that could be more months of education for you. And now let's understand the core issue of that.[01:17:00]
Speaker 10: If you qualify for both, if you qualify for both benefits, you are often forced to give up a qualified, the remaining balance of your benefits for the Montgomery GI Bill, which, which majority veterans are paid into. Okay. In order to use the post nine 11 GI Bill. So each of those programs, it did earn. Now going back to each of those programs
Speaker 10: now specifically, even though those programs were earned by the veteran. Doing both qualifying period of service could have been through both qualifying period of service. So that was a really big, big, uh, court case, Supreme Court case. But now we [01:18:00] understood that the Supreme Court then rejected it.
Speaker 10: What the court said is, if you earn eligibility, well, I don't want to look at the thing too heavy.
Speaker 7: If you send it to me, I can put it on the screen very easily. Oh, okay. That, that'll damn help. Yeah, I'll start over if you do that. Okay. Yeah, yeah. We can start over. Oh, I, I ain't even think about that. That's the new thing about this shit right here. Hell, man. Because I could just, [01:19:00] I mean, I'm sharing my screen.
Speaker 9: Helped Tremend
Speaker 9: try this new policy things, y'all this work out.
Speaker 9: It's the problem folks be scared to try something new.
Speaker 11: I think that some shit. The one over there.[01:20:00]
Speaker 11: That's the graphics. So it said I could just make.
Speaker 9: Cool. This last one, [01:21:00] cool.
Speaker 12: We good? We got it on that thing.
Speaker 7: All right, so we're gonna start over [01:22:00] in terms of what he was talking about here, wood seal versus McDonald hu.
Speaker 11: You got it. I'm done. Mm-hmm.[01:23:00]
Speaker 10: So on April 24th, on April 16th, 2024, the United States Supreme Court decided Root Asil versus McDonald. Okay. Um, and when we talk about this new policy change, it was a one that swept. Uh, the veteran community. It was very interesting. Uh, so the ruling change. The ruling change was specifically how veterans qualify for both the NGI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill reference and the post nine 11 GI bill.
Speaker 10: Can you use both benefits? So specifically in this court case. They stated you had to have two separate [01:24:00] periods, qual, two separate periods of qualifying service. This could mean more months of educational benefits for you. And that was a really, really big deal at that time because during that timeframe, uh, we must understand that to qualify the, for the Montgomery GI Bill, uh, most veterans had to pay into the Montgomery GI Bill in order to qualify.
Speaker 10: So, uh, when the change happened, most veterans needed to basically choose which option they wanted to go. They needed to choose why they wanted to select the Montgomery GI Bill, uh, from why they wanted to select the gi, uh, Montgomery GI Bill, or understand why they wanted to select the post nine 11 GI Bill.
Speaker 10: Well, I'll be the first to tell you that majority of veterans. Never understood what was the benefits of both, you know, primarily understanding, uh, the [01:25:00] critical needs of the benefits and also the critical, uh, uh, uh, benefits that you're gonna receive that's gonna also, uh, be very beneficial for you and your family.
Speaker 10: So, with that being said, though, even both, each programs were earned, uh, based upon the s based upon your service period, uh, the Supreme Court rejected it. The Supreme Court rejected that option where both benefits should be considered of use. What the court said was, and I want to clarify, if you earn eligibility for both programs through separate qualifying period of service, you may use benefits under both programs up to a total combined cap of 48 months, not both at hand.
Speaker 10: Right. So I want you to understand that you cannot use both at the same time, right? Uh, it would've been a, it's gonna be a [01:26:00] total combined of maximum remains of 48 months. And let's be very clear, uh, it's a maximum 48 months, and the benefits must be earned through two separate qualifying service periods.
Speaker 10: This is not new money that they're coming up with. No. It is just a correction of entitlement that you had already deserved and it was calculated and provided to you. So we want to know how many veterans it potentially impacted. Well, uh, based upon data alone, you know, and obviously we understand, uh, data can be skewed, uh, either, uh, left or right.
Speaker 10: So we wanna make the assure that we take that into consideration. Um, but now based upon data alone, the VA specifically estimated it could be over a million beneficiaries who could be impacted. And I want to be, be very, very, [01:27:00] um, focused on who I talk to. You could fall in this ca category if you served two distinct qualifying peers of service.
Speaker 10: You use the Montgomery GI Bill benefits first. You then use your post nine 11 uh, remaining months, and they were reduced because the usage of your Montgomery GI Bill. Then also you were told that you had to forfeit the remaining Montgomery benefits to access the post nine 11 GI Bill. If that happened, you may be entitled to additional months of education benefits.
Speaker 10: You may be entitled to additional months of your benefits. So let's go ahead and bring that back. If you had two qualifying peer to service, if you were then uh, [01:28:00] utilizing your Montgomery GI Bill. And then you decided to transfer over to your post nine 11 GI Bill, which again, they reduced the amount of the post nine 11 GI bill.
Speaker 10: And now the usage of your Montgomery GI Bill were totally axed, right? So you forfeited it. Uh, but with that being said, it gave you access to post nine 11 entitlement. Well, they're saying that you could be entitled to additional months because it was earned and that was an entitlement that you deserved.
Speaker 10: Well, I know that a lot of veterans, when we talk about education benefits, uh, the, we roll into vr, VRNE, right? Vocational rehab. Okay. Voc rehab as some would call it, uh, but vocational rehab and education better. Alright, uh,
Speaker 10: oh.[01:29:00]
Speaker 10: Well, during that timeframe, I'm gonna start back at voc rehab. So, uh, during the education benefits, uh, start at, what about VNRE? Well, during that timeframe, uh, I want you all to know that, and, you know, a lot of veterans had the question of, well, what about. My voc rehab or A-V-R-N-E, uh, or you know, also called, you know, vet Readiness and Employment Program.
Speaker 10: Right. Well, let's, let's be clear. That was a very smaller group of veterans who participated because you guys didn't have us to educate you. So you can understand about, uh, VNRE of voc rehab, uh, that what you're entitled to and you can be able to maximize, uh, both benefits to be able to get the education career path that you was afforded to you.
Speaker 10: Well, if you were in a VRE and you did not receive post nine 11, right? Or I'm sorry, if you are in a. [01:30:00] Voc rehab or VE and you did not receive the higher post nine 11 housing rate, you may be eligible for a recalculations substance payments that can be due on to you. This is just simply an oversight. This is what we are talking about when we're talking about policy and policy implementation and understanding this.
Speaker 10: This is simply just an all technical oversight, so that retroactive adjustment could be doing to you if again, you qualify during that timeframe. So what does the veterans really need to do at this time? And I want you guys to understand this is very critical to you. Well, if you were claiming any education benefits, um, and it happened on or after August 15th, 2018, well.
Speaker 10: The VA will automatically review your records. It's gonna be automatic, [01:31:00] but now if your education claim, uh, decision was before August 15th, 2018, you must submit a claim to the VA for a review of eligibility.
Speaker 10: Now. With that being said, we understand the VA is very consistent with cutoff dates. There is an expiration for recalculation, and the expiration is October 1st, 2030 veterans. After that date, normal expiration rules will apply. So do not wait until 2029 to figure this out because you can, uh, actually have your benefits and entitlement back, uh, uh, back reenacted and utilize.
Speaker 10: So let's really, let's really kind of understand [01:32:00] what should you be doing today? It's very simple. Review your service history. If you qualify for two periods of service. Then we're gonna look at the certificate of eligibility. And now if your certificate of eligibility, uh, was po, was uh, your post nine 11 benefits was reduced because of your GI bill, right?
Speaker 10: Your GI bill benefits, I'm sorry, it was reduced because you transferred your Montgomery GI Bill to your post nine 11 GI Bill. Well. If that decision was before August 15th, 2018, well consider submitting that claim for review. And if it was after, it is gonna be reviewed automatically. So go ahead and wait on a notification letter from the va, right?
Speaker 10: Uh, we wanna make sure that we're ensuring that you're not leaving any benefits on the table, and this could be one. So be very focused and be very strategic about your education benefits. This is not a small ordeal. Because your [01:33:00] education benefits, whether if it's via an RE, whether if it's post nine 11, whether if it's Montgomery GI Bill, they could fund your degree.
Speaker 10: They can fund your trade, they could fund your graduate degrees, they can fund your career transition. 48 months in entitlement is a difference between a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree. The difference of the 48 months entitlement can be the determination between a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree.
Speaker 10: This could be specifically a monumental change for your family and a monumental change for you as a veteran. So let's go ahead and make this, uh, make this strategic. Focus to make sure that you check on your benefits, okay? Because the ruling will reinforce something very important. The benefits you [01:34:00] earn should be entitled to the veteran.
Speaker 10: This is not doing any discretionary favors for you. This is simply getting the benefits that you deserve. So if you qualify those two, if, if you qualify for those two periods of service, you use both the GI Bill programs, Montgomery GI Bill, and also post nine 11 GI Bill. This is the opportunity to review your file.
Speaker 10: Now let's make sure that we're wo in alignment. You could be offered the benefits that you deserve and recalculation and a recalculation could be somewhere your new future. And if it does not apply to you, if someone you're served with it, they may have that similar circumstance. Well, let's share the information.
Speaker 10: 'cause that's what we do here. Prepare to prepare to compete, [01:35:00] and we'll stay, uh, we'll stay very abreast with all the, again, uh, VA implementation. Provide updates and guidance as, uh, as things continue, evolve to evolve. And, uh, as we continue to make sure that you are informed and prepared.
Speaker 7: No Kenneth Man, that was amazing information, right? And you it
Speaker 7: now, while Kenneth, that was amazing information and definitely the veterans need to know, right? There's so many benefits out there. It's hard to maximize what you are unaware or uneducated of because there's so much information, right? There's so much scuttlebutt talk. You don't know what's true. You don't know what's not true.
Speaker 7: So, you know, we are here to ultimately support you. So definitely reach out to us. Uh, our numbers on the screen here, we can [01:36:00] absolutely. Assist you with, uh, continued education regarding your benefits. So give us a call or actually even just join our community. You know, if you ever have a question, we'll be able to answer your questions within that community, and we'll also have more policy, content and other conversations within our learning center that dives even deeper into this information here.
Speaker 7: That's also important to. You all, so thanks for watching. Life is a marathon. Prepare to compete. We're out. Peace. All right, I'm done. We'll get to, we gonna get 10.
