Amos served four years (December 2018 to December 2022) and filed through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program a month before separating. He got an initial 80% rating and figured that was it. In this Woobie interview he says updated medical evidence led to a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) status in April 2025. His outcome is his own; results vary.
Doc Matthew J. Wilyonson, M.D., Woobie’s Chief Medical Officer and a former Navy Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps, hosts.
A buddy referred Amos to Woobie in 2022. He sought medical evaluations so his records would match his symptoms, and says it took nearly three years of effort and persistence to get all his service-connected conditions to their true level.
What happened with Amos’s migraine rating?
Amos’s migraines were service connected, but VA first rated them at 0%, which is non-compensable. Woobie provided a medical evaluation and a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) describing how severe the migraines were and how they limited him. The DBQs from Woobie’s medical professionals include a nexus rationale, the doctor’s explanation of the link to service. After that updated evidence went in, Amos’s migraine rating was adjusted to 30%.
“[Woobie] provided detailed clinical documentation—the ability to record a veteran’s daily pain and functional impact into the specific medical evidence needed for an accurate evaluation.”
— Amos (Torres)
Amos also named two Woobie staff members: Joe Tenny, for being responsive, and Doc Wilson, who performed the detailed medical evaluations.
What does 100% P&T change for Amos?
Amos says his status opened up three things:
- Full compensation at the 100% rate.
- CHAMPVA health coverage for his family.
- State and federal benefits tied to his rating, including education benefits and tax breaks.
Advice to people still on active duty
Doc urges service members to document symptoms while still in uniform. Even if a first evaluation produces a 0% rating, having service connection on record can matter for later increases.
What this means for your own claim
- A 0% rating can still be useful. It means VA recognized the condition as service connected. If it gets worse, you can ask for an increase with new medical evidence.
- Migraine ratings depend on the evidence. A headache log and treatment notes that describe frequency and severity give VA something concrete to rate.
- P&T is a separate status. It means VA considers the condition permanent and the rating total, so routine re-exams generally stop. Benefits such as DEA and CHAMPVA for eligible family can follow. State benefits vary, so check your state’s veterans agency. See TDIU vs 100% P&T and our complete list of 100% P&T benefits.
- Medical opinions are optional. Any licensed provider, including your own doctor, can write one. VA does not require a paid one.
If you think your rating does not match your symptoms, you can ask for a review within one year of a decision, or file for an increase. Free help is available from an accredited VSO. Woobie does not file claims and cannot promise a rating. For more, read about mapping your path to 100% or hear another veteran’s story.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BDD program?
Benefits Delivery at Discharge lets service members file a disability claim before they separate. Amos filed a month before leaving the service, as he describes in this interview.
Can a 0% rating be increased later?
Yes. If a service-connected condition gets worse, you can file for an increase with new medical evidence. A 0% rating still shows that VA recognized the condition as service connected.
What does Permanent and Total status mean?
P&T means VA considers the condition permanent and the rating total, so routine future re-exams generally stop. Benefits such as DEA and CHAMPVA for eligible family can follow, and many state benefits depend on a 100% or P&T designation.
Questions about your medical evidence? Woobie offers a free consultation to talk through your situation. Woobie is not a law firm or an accredited claims agent and does not file claims. Schedule a free consultation →
