Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz interviewing Kim and Garren Cone from the AVET Project What is the AVET Project? (American Veterans Empowerment Team). Leah is interviewing Kim and Garren Cone from the AVET Project. This non-profit organization assists veterans, particularly in understanding VA benefits and providing emotional and psychological support. Garen is an accredited claims agent, and Kim is an aspiring one. They discuss the impact of their work, such as helpi...
May 01, 2024•10 min•Ep. 123
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a PTSD C&P Exam. Leah provides insight into what veterans can expect during a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for PTSD. Leah emphasizes the importance of being honest and prepared for the exam, which includes filling out a Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ). She explains that the exam, typically conducted by psychologists or psychiatrists, may involve an emotional recounting of experiences ...
Apr 30, 2024•17 min•Ep. 122
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Paratroopers and Veteran's Disability. Leah is discussing the intersection of paratrooper activities and VA (Veterans Affairs) disability. She focuses on the specific injury patterns associated with paratrooper duties and the impact these have on VA disability claims. Leah shares her experience as a former paratrooper and medic, referencing her time at the Airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and serving in the 82nd...
Apr 24, 2024•6 min•Ep. 121
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about The Benefits of Psychedelics on PTSD | Ben "Doc" Askins Interview. Leah and former PA Ben "Doc" Askins discuss the integration of psychedelic medicine within veteran healthcare. Ben shares his journey from being a combat medic and National Guard member to pursuing a career in medicine, leading to his involvement in psychedelic science, particularly regarding mental health. He details his experiences with ketamine and MDM...
Apr 23, 2024•38 min•Ep. 120
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam. Leah discusses how veterans can be service-connected for AFib, emphasizing the necessity of a current diagnosis and a nexus linking the condition to an in-service event or another disability. She highlights that AFib can be directly service-connected or related to other issues like cardiac disorders or sleep apnea. Particularly, she focuses on the relationship between A...
Apr 17, 2024•6 min•Ep. 119
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Low Back Pain C&P Exam. Leah discusses what to expect during a lumbar spine or low back pain C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam for VA disability. After filing a claim for a low back condition, veterans receive a packet detailing their examination details. At the exam, physicians use a Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) to document medical history, current condition, and the results of various ...
Apr 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 118
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses to Obtaining VA Disability for Jet Fuel Exposure is possible. Leah, explains the connection between jet fuel exposure and potential VA disability claims for veterans. She clarifies that while jet fuel exposure is not a disability, the medical conditions resulting from it can be. Various military roles, including those in the Air Force and others working on flight lines, might face exposure to different types of jet fuels like ...
Apr 10, 2024•7 min•Ep. 117
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam. Leah discusses Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Veterans Affairs (VA) disability. She explains that MS, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, can be linked to service-related factors, including exposure or symptoms that began during active duty. MS has various types, including Clinically Isolated Syndrome, Relapsing-Remitting MS, Primary Progressive MS...
Apr 09, 2024•9 min•Ep. 116
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about 11B Infantryman and Veterans Disability. Leah discusses the specific occupational challenges and long-term physical impacts faced by 11B Infantrymen in the U.S. Army. She explains how the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) Smart Book outlines the physical and skill requirements for different army roles, highlighting how these requirements can lead to disabilities eligible for compensation. Leah focuses on the 11B Infa...
Apr 03, 2024•9 min•Ep. 115
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam. Leah discusses common conditions linked to PTSD in veterans. She outlines five key secondary conditions: headaches (including migraines and tension headaches), sexual dysfunction disorders (often related to PTSD treatments like SSRIs), gastrointestinal disorders (like IBS and GERD, connected to stress), sleep apnea (controversially linked to PTSD, with emphasis on showi...
Apr 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 114
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam. Leah discusses the Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD), a condition many veterans suffer from, and its relationship with VA disability. TMJD can be related to service either primarily (diagnosed during service and persistent thereafter) or secondarily (related to other conditions like mental health issues or facial injuries). Veterans filing a claim for TMJD will ...
Mar 27, 2024•9 min•Ep. 113
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Insomnia and Tinnitus in Veterans' Disability. Leah provides an overview of how insomnia and tinnitus are considered in the context of VA disability. She explains that insomnia, defined by the DSM-5, is a mental health condition rated according to the schedule of mental health ratings, with specific diagnostic criteria including dissatisfaction with sleep quality and issues like difficulty in falling or staying asleep. L...
Mar 26, 2024•8 min•Ep. 112
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What happens in a C&P examination for Knee pain. Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Knee Pain C&P Exam. Leah offers an in-depth guide for veterans undergoing a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for knee pain. As a US Army veteran, former C&P examiner, and physician assistant, Leah discusses various knee conditions eligible for VA disability, including pat...
Mar 20, 2024•17 min•Ep. 111
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Hypothyroidism C&P Exam. Leah explains hypothyroidism and its relevance to VA disability evaluations. Hypothyroidism, often autoimmune (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), is characterized by an underactive thyroid, leading to symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, menstrual changes, and memory issues. Leah discusses how hypothyroidism can be primary (diagnosed in active duty) or secondary (caused/w...
Mar 19, 2024•12 min•Ep. 110
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Fibromyalgia C&P Exam. Leah explains the process and what to expect in a C&P exam for fibromyalgia. She describes fibromyalgia as a chronic pain syndrome characterized by sleep disturbances, fatigue, headache, and other symptoms, affecting mainly middle-aged females. She discusses how fibromyalgia can be service-connected directly (if diagnosed during active duty) or secondarily (as an aggravation o...
Mar 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 109
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a TMJ Veterans Disability C&P Exam. Leah provides an informative guide for veterans about the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam specifically related to scars. She explains that veterans can get service-connected for scars either on a primary basis (directly incurred during service) or on a secondary basis (related to another service-connected disability). Leah emphasizes the overwhelming nature of t...
Mar 12, 2024•13 min•Ep. 108
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What is the difference between a Nexus letter and an IMO in VA disability. Leah explains the terminologies used in the context of VA disability claims. The term "Nexus letter" is commonly known among veterans and is considered slang for "Independent Medical Opinion" (IMO). The presenter prefers the term IMO, viewing it as a more professional and legal definition. They also introduce the concept of a "Nexus statement," which is...
Mar 06, 2024•49 sec•Ep. 107
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Ménière's Disease and Veterans' Disability. Leah discusses Ménière's disease in the context of VA disability compensation. She explains that many service members and veterans suffer from Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder causing vertigo, dizziness, disorientation, hearing loss, tinnitus, nausea, and sweating. Symptoms can last from minutes to 24 hours and may be confused with other conditions like BPPV. Leah empha...
Mar 05, 2024•6 min•Ep. 106
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Plantar Fasciitis and VA disability compensation. Leah discusses plantar fasciitis in the context of VA disability. She highlights that many veterans suffer from this condition, often linked to their service, either as a primary issue diagnosed during service or secondary to other service-related disabilities. Leah explains that plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue on the foot's bottom, causing signifi...
Mar 01, 2024•8 min•Ep. 105
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discuss about Hemorrhoids and IBS in Veteran's Disabilities. Leah explains the connection between hemorrhoids, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), constipation, and veterans' VA disability claims. She clarifies that hemorrhoids, defined by the Cleveland Clinic as swollen veins in the anus and rectum, can be painful and cause bleeding. Risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, low-fiber diets, chronic constipation or diarrhea, heavy lifting, ...
Feb 28, 2024•6 min•Ep. 104
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Hiatal Hernia and Weight Gain in Veterans' Disability. Leah explains the relationship between hiatal hernia, obesity, and VA disability ratings for veterans. She describes a hiatal hernia as a condition where the upper stomach bulges through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, often overlapping with GERD symptoms. Leah emphasizes that obesity, a significant risk factor for hiatal hernia, increases intra-abdominal pressure, co...
Feb 27, 2024•8 min•Ep. 103
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses How can Medical Consultants Boost Your IBS Rating by 30%. Leah explains the intricacies of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in the context of VA disability ratings. She clarifies that IBS, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, often requires a diagnosis of exclusion, and mentions the Rome criteria used in its diagnosis. Leah categorizes IBS into three types: IBS-C (constipation), IBS-D (diarrhea), and IBS-M (mixed), and discus...
Feb 21, 2024•5 min•Ep. 102
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and VA Disability. Leah discusses the implications of herpes simplex virus (HSV) with VA disability. She explains that herpes, a common and transmittable disease, can be service-connected if it is shown to be related to military service. Veterans may be eligible for service connection for HSV if diagnosed during service (primary service connection) or if it's linked to another service-connected...
Feb 20, 2024•7 min•Ep. 101
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses HIV in Veterans Disability. Leah B. explores how HIV can be a service-connected disability for veterans. She highlights the VA's role as the largest provider of HIV care in the U.S., serving over 30,000 veterans, and emphasizes the prevalence of HIV among veterans, reservists, and active duty service members. Leah discusses primary and secondary service connections for HIV, where the primary connection relates to HIV contracte...
Feb 14, 2024•9 min•Ep. 100
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about 50% For Sleep Apnea in VA Disability. Leah discusses VA disability ratings for sleep apnea, with a focus on the 50% rating. Although ratings may change and there's been talk of alterations recently, at the time of the video, the ratings have remained stable. Sleep apnea can be classified as obstructive, central, or mixed type. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100% to sleep apnea based on severity and required t...
Feb 07, 2024•6 min•Ep. 99
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Plantar Fasciitis and VA disability compensation. Leah discusses VA disability ratings for sleep apnea, with a focus on the 50% rating. Although ratings may change and there's been talk of alterations recently, at the time of the video, the ratings have remained stable. Sleep apnea can be classified as obstructive, central, or mixed type. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100% to sleep apnea based on severity and requ...
Feb 06, 2024•7 min•Ep. 98
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Frozen Shoulder Syndrome and Veterans' Disability. Leah discusses VA disability ratings for sleep apnea, with a focus on the 50% rating. Although ratings may change and there's been talk of alterations recently, at the time of the video, the ratings have remained stable. Sleep apnea can be classified as obstructive, central, or mixed type. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100% to sleep apnea based on severity and req...
Jan 31, 2024•7 min•Ep. 97
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Radiculopathy in Veterans' Disability. Leah explains radiculopathy and its relevance to VA disability. She describes radiculopathy as a condition characterized by numbness, pain, and tingling in extremities, which can arise from various levels of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Leah B clarifies the difference between radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy, emphasizing that radiculopathy originates from th...
Jan 30, 2024•8 min•Ep. 96
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses Gout and Hypertension in Veterans' Disability. Leah discusses the connection between gout and hypertension, particularly in the context of veterans' disability claims. Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricemia (excess uric acid in the body), often presents as painful flare-ups, commonly in the big toe. Leah highlights risk factors like being male, obesity, certain health conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes),...
Jan 24, 2024•7 min•Ep. 95
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Hip Pain Secondary to Knee Injuries in Veterans Disability. Leah discusses the connection between hip pain and knee injuries in the context of VA disability. She emphasizes that hip pain can be service-connected either directly (due to an injury sustained while on active duty) or secondarily, where an existing service-connected condition, like a knee injury, leads to hip problems. Using her own experience with a foot inj...
Jan 23, 2024•7 min•Ep. 94
