Video summary

The 5 EASIEST VA Disability Claims to WIN (90% Approval Rate) | Doctor Explains

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Overview

The video argues that many VA disability claims are not equally winnable. Veterans may miss “easier wins” because they don’t know which conditions have higher approval likelihoods and what evidence is sufficient.

Core theme: Some VA claims are much easier than others—especially when the claim is structured around conditions the VA commonly rates favorably when properly documented.

Core Claim: “Some VA Claims Are Much Easier Than Others”

  • The doctor states that certain conditions can have approval rates above 90% when properly documented.
  • Other claims may hover around ~30% approval or face repeated denials—often due to complexity or insufficiently supported evidence.

Example (as described in the video)

  • One veteran was denied three times while filing complex conditions.
  • After changing strategy to simpler, already-evidenced issues found in their records (e.g., tinnitus, knee pain, anxiety symptoms, and a visible surgical scar), the claim was approved.
  • The combined rating reportedly increased from 30% to 70%.

The “5 Easiest” VA Disability Claim Categories (and Why)

1) Tinnitus

Presented as one of the closest things to a “guaranteed” claim because:

  • Subjective evidence: no definitive machine test can prove absence
  • Noise exposure is presumed for most service roles
  • Many MOS roles involve loud environments

Typical rating: 10% (maximum for tinnitus)

Key strategy: Use tinnitus as a “gateway” to file secondary conditions, such as:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • sleep problems
  • migraines

2) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Conditions

Includes:

  • back pain
  • knee problems
  • shoulder injuries
  • neck issues
  • ankle problems
  • arthritis, and similar conditions

Why easier to win (as argued):

  • Service is argued to obviously stress the body (e.g., ruck marching, heavy loads, combat duties)
  • Claims are often objectively measurable (X-rays/MRIs, range-of-motion tests, physical exams)
  • Many veterans are said to have MSK damage; the main issue is whether it was claimed

Strategy emphasis:

  • Current diagnosis (imaging and/or the condition’s name)
  • In-service injury/repetitive stress (service records or MOS/duties)
  • Functional limitation evidence (how it affects daily life and flare-ups)

3) Mental Health Conditions (PTSD/Anxiety/Depression/Adjustment, etc.)

Presented as highly winnable when supported properly—especially with combat exposure or MST.

Why easier to win:

  • Combat service = presumed stressor (not every specific event must be proven)
  • MST (military sexual trauma) has “relaxed” evidence requirements; behavioral/personal/work changes can substitute for traditional reporting evidence
  • Ratings focus heavily on current impairment (work, relationships, mood, judgment, etc.)

Rating range: 0% through 100%

  • The doctor claims many clients land around 50–70% when symptoms are significant.

4) Migraines

Framed as underrated and commonly connected to military life.

Why easier:

  • Multiple connection routes, including:
    • direct service connection
    • secondary to TBI
    • secondary to tinnitus
    • secondary to PTSD
    • secondary to neck/cervicogenic issues
  • Mostly subjective, but rated based on frequency/severity
    • often requires documentation (e.g., a headache log)

Key rating hook (as described):

  • If migraines fully incapacitate the veteran and force them to stop/lie down, higher ratings such as 50% may be possible.

5) Scars

Presented as overlooked but “easy” because:

  • Scars are visible and can be evaluated during VA examinations
  • If scars come from service-connected surgery/injury, the connection is often straightforward

Strategy:

  • Identify every scar from service-connected conditions
  • Document whether scars are painful/tender/unstable
    • painful/unstable scars can yield at least 10% per scar (per the video’s description)
  • Notes that certain facial/head/neck disfigurement possibilities may be rated much higher

Final Recommended Strategy: “How to Use This Information”

  • Audit yourself across the five categories and list every relevant issue:
    • ringing in ears
    • joint limitations
    • mental health symptoms
    • migraines
    • scars
  • Prioritize easy wins first (tinnitus/MSK/scars/mental health/migraines)
    • Each rating can:
      • strengthen the overall claim record
      • open secondary-claim opportunities (e.g., tinnitus → anxiety → migraines)
  • Chain conditions together into a “stacking” strategy to increase the overall combined rating.

Example “stacking” outcome (as described)

A veteran reportedly received awards from multiple categories, such as:

  • tinnitus: 10%
  • lumbar strain: 20%
  • bilateral knee limitations: 10% each
  • anxiety secondary to tinnitus: 50%
  • migraines secondary to anxiety: 30%
  • two surgical scars: 10% each

Combined rating: 80%, framed as about $1,900/month tax-free.

Additional Note: Another “Easy Win” Category

The speaker also says foot-related conditions caused by military boots—such as:

  • plantar fasciitis
  • flat feet
  • bunions

—can be another separate “easy win” category, and references another video about Board of Veterans’ Appeals cases.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Dr. Marshall Bar
    • Stated as an Army Ranger / special operations combat medic; presenter and main voice
  • Extera Health
    • Referenced as providing nexus letters and related claim support
    • No additional individual contributor is named

Original video