Connection Types
A veteran would like to claim lower back pain related to a car accident that occurred in service. What type of service connection would this be?
In-Service Injury
GERD, or acid reflux, without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications is what percentage?
0%
A veteran is claiming 14 new conditions. How many Nexus letters will need to be generated?
1
Name two conditions that can cause or aggravate GERD, and explain how.
-MH - elevated stress/anxiety leads to increased stomach acid, psychiatric medications can contribute to reflux and weight gain
-Musculoskeletal - obesity and/or NSAID use can cause increased levels of stomach acid and pressure on the esophagus
True of False: A pre-existing condition can not be service connected
False: pre-existing conditions can be connected to service if the condition has permanently worsened in severity beyond the condition's natural progression due to service.
A veteran would like to claim anxiety and insomnia due to symptoms starting in service. What type of service connection would this be?
In-Service Event
A veteran is service connected at 30% for Major Depressive Disorder (9434), and would like to file a claim for Insomnia. What diagnostic code would be best?
9434 - Major Depressive Disorder
It would be filed as an increase of the current MH claim, requesting that the overall mental health be re-evaluated due to worsening symptoms
What extra form(s) is/are associated with BDD claims?
Separation Health Assessment (SHA)
Name a condition that can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea and explain the path of causation or aggravation
-Respiratory; asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis cause inflammation through the respiratory tract which causes narrowed airways
-MH; mental health conditions and medications often lead to weight gain/obesity which leads to airway narrowing and collapse
True or false, nocturia/overactive bladder is claimed using the same diagnostic code as neurogenic bladder
True.
Both are claimed using code 7542; however, there are two separate claim cards in the portal to reduce confusion and refine AI verbiage.
A veteran would like to claim Migraines that began in service. What type of service connection would this be?
In-Service Injury
A veteran wants to claim Basal Cell Carcinoma, which she developed after extensive sun exposure in service. The cancer was removed in service and the veteran is no longer undergoing any treatment, but has significant discoloration and texture difference on her face due to the removal procedure. What Diagnostic Code would be best?
7800 - scar(s) of the head, face, or neck due to other causes; or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck
A veteran has 5 new claims, 2 increasing claims, and 1 appeal/supplemental claim. What forms and how many form bundles will need to be generated?
2 Bundles
#1- All claims; 526 EZ, 995, 995 SISOC, 995 NEXUS, C&P Prep, Next Steps
#2- New claims; 526 SISOC, 526 NEXUS
Name a condition that can cause or aggravate overactive bladder symptoms and explain how
-Lumbar strain - compression of nerves can cause abnormal bladder signaling or involuntary muscle contractions
-MH - chronic stress can affect autonomic nervous system and can increase bladder sensitivity causing urinary urgency and frequency. MH can also lead to obesity which causes increased abdominal pressure on the bladder leading to reduced bladder capacity.
-Diabetes and HTN - often requires use of diuretics which increase urine production'
-Sleep Apnea - can cause increased urine production and autonomic dysfunction
True or False:
A veteran who received an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge is never eligible for VA benefits.
False.
An Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge does not automatically disqualify a veteran from receiving VA benefits. If you encounter a veteran with an OTH discharge, proceed with the CCM as normal and assume eligibility.
A Gulf War veteran would like to claim IBS which began during their Iraq deployment. What type of service connection would this be?
Gulf War Illness
A veteran would like to claim the arthritis they developed in their left knee due to constant overuse in service (long ruck marches with 60+ lb pack). The veteran's main symptom is painful motion. What would the most advantageous diagnostic code(s) be?
5260, 5261 - Leg limitation of flexion, extension
Active Duty - 2018-2020
Reserves - 2020-2025
Afghanistan Deployment - 2021-2022
Which dates belong in Block 20A (Most Recent Active Service) on VA Form 21-526EZ
Afghanistan Deployment - 2021-2022
-Headaches/migraines
-Vertigo/vestibular disorder
-Insomnia/MH
A veteran had a claim for asthma denied in 2024.
True or False, if the veteran files an appeal/supplemental claim and the VA grants service connection, the veteran will automatically receive retroactive benefits back to the date of the original 2024 claim.
False.
A veteran may be entitled to retroactive benefits back to the original claim date only if they continuously pursue the claim within the applicable VA deadlines. For example, filing a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal within one year of the decision can preserve the original effective date. If the veteran waits longer than one year to file, any granted benefits are generally effective no earlier than the date VA receives the new Supplemental Claim, unless another exception applies.
A veteran was granted 0% for headaches in 2018. They filed for an increase in 2019, but were denied and the rating was continued at 0%. What type of service connection would this be?
Increase - Current Service Connection
A veteran suffered a heart attack during active military service and is now diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). What is the most advantageous Diagnostic Code for this claim?
7005 - Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
A veteran is putting in 10 appeal/supplemental claims. What forms need to be generated and how many bundles would be needed?
3 Bundles
#1- All conditions; 995 NEXUS, C&P Prep, Next Steps,
#2- Appeal conditions 1-5; 995 form, 995 SISOC
#3- Appeal conditions 6-10; 995 form, 995 SISOC
Name 2 conditions that can be caused or aggravated by Sleep Apnea and explain how
-Hypertension - chronic hypoxia leading to hypertension
-MH - chronic daytime fatigue aggravates depression/anxiety symptoms
-Rhinitis - use of CPAP machine can cause chronic inflammation of nasal passages
-Migraines - sleep deprivation and chronic hypoxia can cause migraines
The absence of contemporaneous medical evidence does not automatically make a veteran's lay statements not credible.
Identify what evidence is available, and what evidence needs to be found.