At Hang Loose Tactical, we speak the truth the way it is. No sugar coating, no corporate fluff. The VA claim process isn’t easy, it’s not fast, and it damn sure isn’t built for shortcuts. But if you put in the work, document your reality, and stay honest—you can secure the benefits you’ve earned.
This isn’t about handouts. It’s about combat pay that never ended—the kind you’re owed because the war followed you home.
Step One: Get Your Evidence Straight
The VA doesn’t deal in war stories. They deal in evidence. That means:
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Service records
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Medical records
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Buddy statements from the guys who were there
If you say your back’s been shot since you rucked through the Korengal, back it up with sick call slips, X-rays, and anything else that proves it. The VA wants paperwork, not just pain.
Step Two: File the Claim—Simple, Not Slick
You can file through VA.gov, a VSO, or an accredited rep. Don’t overthink it, don’t try to be slick, and don’t try to turn one busted ankle into a laundry list of made-up injuries. The VA sees through that faster than a PFC lying about cleaning his weapon.
Step Three: C&P Exams—The Gut Check
Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams are the VA’s way of saying, “Prove it.”
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Show up.
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Be honest.
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Don’t downplay, don’t exaggerate.
If you can’t lift 50 pounds without your spine screaming, say it. If you’re still able to run five miles without a limp, admit that too. Honesty gets you rated right. Lying gets you burned.
Step Four: Know Your Rating, Know Your Appeal Rights
The VA will spit out a rating decision. Sometimes they nail it, sometimes it feels like they missed the target entirely. If you think they low-balled you, appeal the right way. Don’t rage quit, don’t toss your paperwork in the shredder. Appeal with evidence, logic, and calm persistence.
Step Five: This Isn’t a Game
Here’s the hard truth: trying to scam the VA makes you a thief. Every fake claim drags down the credibility of brothers and sisters who actually need the system. If you’ve got a busted knee, claim the knee. If you’ve got PTSD, claim it. Don’t suddenly decide your paper cut from 2007 deserves 100%.
This system already moves slower than a convoy in rush hour traffic. Don’t be the reason it gets worse.
Bottom Line
The VA process is a grind. But like any mission, it’s about discipline, preparation, and integrity. You didn’t half-ass your ruck marches, so don’t half-ass this. You earned these benefits. Go after them with honor.
At the end of the day, it’s not about beating the system—it’s about getting what you’ve earned. The scars are real, the injuries are real, and the claim process is the bridge between surviving and thriving.
Train Hard. Live Free. Hang Loose.
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