In this candid interview, Doc Matthew J. Wilyonson, M.D. (Chief Medical Officer at Woobie, Former LCDR, MC, USN) sits down with Kandre White (Keilo), a fellow Marine Corps veteran who spent years stuck in the VA’s “0% trap.”
Watch the Full Interview
Keilo served four years in the Corps but found himself fighting a losing battle with the VA after separation. Despite significant pain and extensive documentation, he was stuck at a low rating (30-40%), with his most debilitating injuries rated at 0%. Frustrated by illogical denials and the hassle of traveling hours for appointments, Keilo was “done fighting.”
That’s when he partnered with Woobie (formerly M2M). In less than a year, Keilo went from “done” to 100% Permanent & Total (P&T).
The Struggle: The “Stupid Game” of Diagnosis
Keilo’s story highlights a common VA tactic: The “Box Checking” Game.
- The 0% Trap: Keilo received 10% for his back and 0% for his feet, despite these being his primary complaints.
- The Diagnosis Disconnect: The VA generalized his sharp back pain as “sciatica” and his plantar fasciitis as generic “feet discomfort.” Because his issues didn’t fit their specific boxes, he was denied proper compensation.
- The Hassle: He missed work and drove hours between Fayetteville, New Bern, and Wilmington for appointments, only to be told his conditions were service-connected but non-compensable (0%).
Doc’s Perspective:
As a former orthopedic surgery resident, Doc validates this frustration, noting that the VA often errs on the side of “cheating people” by failing to adhere to their own rating formulas regarding musculoskeletal pain.
The Strategy: Evidence & Specificity
Woobie’s approach was blunt: Stop the step-by-step fighting and file one comprehensive claim.
1. “Words Matter” (The DBQs)
The team utilized DBQs (Disability Benefits Questionnaires) with specific Nexus statements. Unlike other companies that leave sections blank, Woobie used every inch of the document to advocate for Keilo on paper, ensuring the language matched the rating criteria perfectly.
2. Overcoming the Law Enforcement Fear (Mental Health)
Keilo works in Law Enforcement and was initially terrified to claim anxiety and depression, fearing it would affect his career.
- The Solution: Woobie quickly connected him with an outside psychiatrist, bypassing the slow VA system and providing a safe, private environment for diagnosis.
3. The Migraine Log (0% to 50%)
Keilo suffered headaches 3x a week but was rated at 0%.
- The Fix: Woobie instructed him to keep a thorough Headache Log.
- The Result: That log served as independent evidence, resulting in a 50% rating for migraines—a “High Yield” category that moves the needle.
“It was seamless… like they have been around for at least 10 years.”
— Kandre White (Keilo)
The Result: 100% P&T in Under a Year
Keilo achieved his 100% P&T rating in February, less than 12 months after starting the process.
The Impact:
- ChampVA: His dependents now have healthcare coverage for life.
- Local Care: Thanks to the proper documentation, the VA approved him for local therapy, eliminating the long drives to VA medical centers.
- Peace of Mind: The stress of fighting a bureaucracy is gone.
Keilo’s Advice: Trust the Process
Keilo advises any veteran who has given up to seek help. You cannot rely on the VA to interpret your pain correctly. You need an expert mapmaker who uses specific navigational charts (DBQs and Nexus statements) to guide your journey.
Stop Driving in Circles
If you are tired of traveling hours for appointments just to get a 0% rating, it’s time to change your strategy.