I Told Myself I Didn't Deserve Any Benefits

Retold by VA Disability Hub from VA Claims Insider. Quoted passages are Neil Anderson's own words as published by VA Claims Insider. Neil Anderson is the subject of this story, not its author.

The lie veterans tell themselves

One of the biggest barriers to getting a fair VA disability rating is not paperwork or regulations — it is what veterans tell themselves. Neil Anderson knows this firsthand.

“I told myself I didn’t deserve any benefits. I just kind of believed that lie.”

This is not an uncommon story. Many veterans minimize their own conditions, comparing themselves to others who “had it worse” or convincing themselves that what they are dealing with is just part of life after the military. The result is that they either never file a claim or they stop short of claiming everything they are entitled to.

From 70% to 100%

According to the original VA Claims Insider account, Neil received a 70% rating in 2023, then sought an increase through a VSO that was denied. The account reports that later claims for headaches and sleep apnea succeeded in 2025, bringing his rating to 100% permanent and total. This is the commercial publisher’s account of his experience, not independently verified VA case history.

“I never thought I’d get a 100% VA rating, but here I am.”

Going from 70% to 100% is not just a number change. It can mean the difference between partial compensation and full benefits — including potential access to CHAMPVA for dependents, property tax exemptions, and other state and federal benefits that come with a total disability rating.

What this means for other veterans

If you are sitting at a rating and telling yourself it is “good enough” or that you do not deserve more, consider whether that belief is based on the actual regulations — or on a story you are telling yourself.

The VA rates conditions based on how they affect your daily life and ability to work. If you have conditions that are connected to your service and they are affecting you, you have every right to file for them. That is not gaming the system. That is using a benefit you earned.

What this story shows about the VA claims process

This section is VA Disability Hub’s own summary for readers, not part of Neil’s account. It describes general VA rules, not a prediction for any one claim.

• A new condition is a new claim. Conditions you have not claimed before, such as the headaches and sleep apnea in Neil’s account, are filed on VA Form 21-526EZ. If one was caused or worsened by a service-connected condition, it may qualify as a secondary condition.
• Ratings combine with VA math, not simple addition. Each new rating is combined with your existing ones, as our VA math guide shows. You can try your own numbers in the calculator.
• Read the rating guide for each condition. Our migraine and sleep apnea guides list the rating criteria and the evidence VA looks for.
• Confirm P&T in writing. Permanent and total is a designation VA makes, so check your decision or benefits letter. Our 100% rating guide explains what it affects.
• A denied increase isn’t the end. You can choose a review option, or file again with new evidence. Before paying anyone for help, check their accreditation.

Correction — October 21, 2026: Corrected his branch to the Navy and the order of his claims, including a denied increase claim after his first 70% rating; noted that the account comes from the commercial publisher, not verified VA case history; and replaced an excerpt that joined two separate quotes.

Update — October 21, 2026: Added our own summary of what this story shows about the VA claims process and credited this page to VA Disability Hub, which retold the story from VA Claims Insider.

Neil’s story was originally shared through VA Claims Insider. Quoted with attribution for educational purposes.