VA Claims Builder — VeteranUnlocked.com

What this guide covers:

Ready-to-use prompts for every stage of your claim
C&P exam roadmaps, DBQ-matched reference sheets, and practice exams
Lay statements, witness statements, reduction defense, and long-term strategy
PTSD assessment using the PCL-5 and PHQ-9
SMC eligibility — benefits most veterans never know to file
How your care record connects to your claims

Project Setup must be completed before using this guide.

Your Claude account, Project, memory file, and uploaded records are all handled in the VA Project Setup guide. Both this guide and the VA Care Guide run inside the same Project — you only set it up once.

If your setup is complete and your memory file is loaded, start with Prompt 1 below. Type "I am ready to run Prompt 1" and Claude will guide you through it.

Part 1 Building Your Claims — Prompts for Every Stage

These prompts cover the full arc of a VA claim from initial development through long-term strategy. Run them in order when starting a new claim. Return to individual prompts any time you need to build or strengthen a specific piece of your file.

Before running any of these: Your Project must be set up, your memory file uploaded, and your Priority 1 records in your Project — all handled in the VA Project Setup guide. These prompts work best when Claude already knows your full history.

Prompt 1 — Identify All Potential Claims

After your records are uploaded and your memory file is in place, this prompt builds the full map of what you can file. Every condition gets a status tag, a realistic rating range, and an honest assessment of what it would take to win it. The goal is not to file everything possible — it is to identify what is actually winnable, what needs more work, and what is not worth pursuing yet.

This prompt also runs the math on whether 100% Permanent and Total disability is realistic for you based on what you have. If it is not, you will know that now — not after years of chasing a number that was never in reach.

Claim Status Tags

Tag	What It Means
STRONG — FILE NOW	Service connection is clear, evidence exists, ready to file.
STRONG — NEEDS NEXUS	Evidence is solid but you need a doctor's nexus letter. Get it, then file.
MODERATE — NEEDS MORE EVIDENCE	There is a basis but the record is thin. Build documentation before filing.
MODERATE — NEEDS NEXUS + EVIDENCE	You need both more documentation and a doctor's opinion before this is ready.
WEAK — NOT READY	Insufficient evidence right now. Filing as-is risks a denial that makes the path harder.
DO NOT FILE	No credible basis for service connection based on your records.

Prompt 1 — Identify All Potential Claims

Based on my service records, medical history, and memory file, identify every condition I might have a legitimate basis to claim. For each condition, provide: 1. CONDITION NAME and connection type — direct service connection, secondary to a rated condition, or aggravation of a pre-existing condition 2. STATUS TAG — assign one of these exactly as written: STRONG — FILE NOW STRONG — NEEDS NEXUS MODERATE — NEEDS MORE EVIDENCE MODERATE — NEEDS NEXUS + EVIDENCE WEAK — NOT READY DO NOT FILE 3. REALISTIC RATING RANGE — based on the actual rating criteria under 38 CFR Part 4, what is the realistic range of ratings I could receive if granted? Give low, mid, and high estimates and explain what evidence or functional loss would be required to reach each level. Do not inflate these numbers. 4. WHAT IS MISSING — exactly what evidence, nexus letter, or documentation would improve this claim's status or rating potential 5. NEXT ACTION — the single most important thing I should do for this condition right now After listing all conditions: COMBINED RATING ANALYSIS: Using VA math (the whole person method), calculate what my combined rating would be if every STRONG condition were granted at mid-range estimate. Then calculate at the high-range estimate. Show your work. 100% P&T REALITY CHECK: Based on my conditions, documented evidence, and realistic rating ranges, is 100% Permanent and Total disability achievable for me? Be direct. If it is not realistic, say so clearly and tell me why. Do not give false hope. Tell me the truth about where I stand.

A note on 100% P&T.

Some veterans will be able to reach 100% Permanent and Total. Many will not — and that is not a failure. What matters is getting every percentage you are actually owed — accurately documented, honestly claimed, and fully supported by the record.

Chasing 100% when the evidence does not support it wastes years and damages credibility on legitimate claims. Get what is real. Then protect it.

Audit Prompt 1 — Stress-Test the Claims Map

Review the claims map you produced. Now stress-test it. - For any condition tagged STRONG — what is the single biggest risk that could cause denial anyway? - Are the rating ranges honest? If any range feels optimistic relative to my records, revise it downward. - Are there secondary connections we missed? - For WEAK or DO NOT FILE — what would need to change for it to become viable? - Is the combined rating math correct? - Does the 100% P&T assessment still hold? The goal is an accurate map, not an optimistic one. Tell me what is real.

Prompt 1B — PTSD and Mental Health Assessment

This prompt is for every veteran — not just those who think they have PTSD. Many veterans with significant symptoms have never been diagnosed because they did not recognize what they were experiencing, or because they never had the opportunity to describe it in a structured way. This assessment will tell you where you stand.

PTSD is one of the most significant claims a veteran can have — and one of the most underreported.

You do not need a prior diagnosis. You do not need to have been in combat. This prompt walks you through the PCL-5 and PHQ-9 — the same screening tools the VA uses — one question at a time, in plain language.

Claude is not here to judge you. It is an AI. Tell it the truth. The only version of this process that helps you is the honest one.

Veterans Crisis Line: call or text 988, press 1. If things feel heavy, reach out before you start.

Type PAUSE to stop at any point. Type NEXT to skip a question and move forward.

Prompt 1B — PTSD and Mental Health Assessment

I want to run the mental health assessment portion of my VA claims process. I understand you are an AI and you are not here to judge me. Treat what I tell you factually — without minimizing it or softening the results. If what I describe maps to a serious symptom or a significant score, tell me directly. STEP 1 — PCL-5 ASSESSMENT Walk me through all 20 PCL-5 questions one at a time. For each: - Present the question in plain everyday language - Give a brief real-world example of what that symptom looks like - Show the rating scale: 0=Not at all / 1=A little bit / 2=Moderately / 3=Quite a bit / 4=Extremely - Wait for my rating before moving on. Do not interpret while we go. After all 20: give my total score, the four cluster breakdown (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative thoughts/mood, hyperarousal), what the score range indicates, and how it factors into a VA PTSD claim under 38 CFR 4.130. STEP 2 — PHQ-9 ASSESSMENT Walk me through all 9 PHQ-9 questions the same way. Scale: 0=Not at all / 1=Several days / 2=More than half the days / 3=Nearly every day After all 9: score, severity range, and whether this supports a secondary depression claim alongside PTSD. STEP 3 — STRESSOR IDENTIFICATION Ask me about events from service connected to my symptoms — one stressor at a time. For each: - Identify whether it meets Criterion A for PTSD - Help describe it in factual language suitable for a VA 21-0781 - Note whether it is a combat or non-combat stressor - If I say NEXT, move on without pressing further STEP 4 — FUNCTIONAL IMPACT Ask how my symptoms affect: work, relationships, sleep, public situations, anger/irritability, ability to care for myself and family. STEP 5 — SUMMARY After all four steps produce: 1. PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores with interpretation 2. Stressor list with Criterion A determination 3. Functional impact summary 4. Realistic rating range under 38 CFR 4.130 (0/10/30/50/70/100%) mapped to what I described 5. Whether a secondary depression claim is supported 6. Whether I should seek mental health care and what to say to get a VA referral PAUSE = stop and wait. NEXT = skip this question and move forward.

After this prompt: Save the complete output before closing the session. The scores, stressor list, and functional impact summary feed directly into Prompt 1C (PTSD lay statement) and Prompt 4 (C&P exam roadmap).

Audit Prompt 1B — Strengthen the Assessment

Review my PTSD assessment — PCL-5 score, PHQ-9 score, stressors, and functional impact summary. Audit against 38 CFR 4.130 (Diagnostic Code 9411): - At what rating level does my documented symptom picture most accurately fall — 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%? Map specific symptoms to specific criteria. - Are there symptoms I described that did not make it into the functional impact summary? - Are any stressors missing the Criterion A element? - Does my PHQ-9 support a secondary major depressive disorder claim? - What is the single most important evidence gap right now? Do not soften the assessment.

Prompt 1C — PTSD Lay Statement and Stressor Documentation

Run Prompt 1B before running this one. This prompt builds your PTSD lay statement and VA Form 21-0781 stressor statement from the assessment output.

Prompt 1C — PTSD Personal Lay Statement

Using my PTSD assessment results, help me write a personal lay statement for my PTSD claim on VA Form 21-4138. Structure the statement to address the mental health DBQ sections and 38 CFR 4.130 rating criteria: SECTION 1 — IN-SERVICE STRESSORS For each stressor: what happened, when, where — factual and specific. State the connection between this event and my current symptoms. SECTION 2 — SYMPTOMS I EXPERIENCE Organized by PCL-5 cluster categories: - Re-experiencing (nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories) - Avoidance (avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, people) - Negative thoughts and mood (persistent negative beliefs, emotional numbing, detachment) - Hyperarousal (hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, sleep disturbance, irritability) Use specific frequency and severity language — not "sometimes" or "often." SECTION 3 — FUNCTIONAL IMPACT Employment, relationships, sleep, public functioning, self-care and daily activities. SECTION 4 — DURATION AND CONTINUITY When symptoms began, how they have changed, that they are ongoing. SECTION 5 — CARE AND TREATMENT Any mental health treatment received or currently receiving. After drafting, ask me to verify every factual claim. Then produce a final version with signature and date block for submission.

Prompt 1C — VA Form 21-0781 Stressor Statement

Using my stressor list, help me complete VA Form 21-0781 for PTSD. For each stressor: 1. Write a factual narrative — what happened, when, where, who was involved if relevant 2. Identify unit, duty station, and approximate date as specifically as I can recall 3. Classify as combat, non-combat, or personal assault — each has different corroboration requirements 4. Identify what corroborating evidence might exist After drafting, tell me: - Which stressors have the strongest corroboration potential - Which may need buddy statements or lay evidence to establish they occurred - Whether any qualify for the less burdensome standard under 38 CFR 3.304(f) Then produce a complete 21-0781 narrative.

Audit Prompt 1C — Strengthen the PTSD Documents

Review the PTSD lay statement and 21-0781 stressor statement. - Does the lay statement address every section of the mental health DBQ? - Does it map symptoms to specific rating criteria at 38 CFR 4.130? - Does each stressor in the 21-0781 include enough specificity — date, location, unit — to be corroborated? - Are there symptoms from the assessment that did not make it into the lay statement? - Is there any language that could be read as exaggeration? - What is the single most important addition that would strengthen these documents? Revise both documents and explain what changed.

Prompt 2 — Personal Lay Statement

A lay statement is your testimony — written in your own words on VA Form 21-4138. It is not a medical document. It is a first-person account of what happened to you, how your conditions affect your daily life, and what you cannot do.

Your lay statement should be structured to address the same sections the examiner will fill out on the DBQ for your condition. If your statement speaks directly to what the DBQ asks for, the examiner has no justification for leaving a section blank or marking it unfavorable.

Key rule: Do not describe your good days. Describe your real days — and your worst days. The rating criteria are built around functional loss. Describe the loss.

Prompt 2 — Personal Lay Statement

Help me write a personal lay statement for my [CONDITION] claim. First, identify the DBQ sections for this condition and list what each requires the examiner to document. We will use those sections to structure my statement. Then ask me questions one at a time to capture my answers for each DBQ section: - What my ordinary day looks like because of this condition - What I cannot do that I used to be able to do - How often symptoms flare up, how bad they get, and how long they last - What my worst episodes look like - How this condition affects my work, family, and daily activities - What I have had to stop doing or ask others to do for me - Any additional DBQ-specific questions for this condition type Once you have my answers, draft the statement in my voice — plain language, first person, specific numbers and frequencies instead of "sometimes" or "often." Organize it following the DBQ section order. Do not exaggerate. Do not understate. Then ask me to review every factual claim before finalizing. Replace [CONDITION] before running.

Audit Prompt 2 — Strengthen the Lay Statement

Review the lay statement we drafted. Audit it against both the DBQ sections and rating criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. - Does the statement address every section of the DBQ? List any gaps. - Are there specific rating criteria thresholds we addressed? Which did we hit and which did we fall short of? - Is there anything in my records that supports a stronger statement than what we wrote? - Does anything read as vague, general, or unprovable? Flag it. - What is the single weakest section relative to the DBQ, and how do we fix it? Rewrite sections that need it and explain what changed.

Prompt 3 — Spouse or Family Witness Statement

A lay witness statement from a spouse or family member adds a second perspective to your record. The key is that their statement must add something yours does not — their observations, not a repeat of your words.

Like your personal statement, the witness statement should be organized around the DBQ sections for your condition. When both statements address the same sections from two independent perspectives, it becomes significantly harder for an examiner to leave those sections blank or underrate them.

Prompt 3 — Spouse or Family Witness Statement

My [RELATIONSHIP] wants to write a lay witness statement to support my [CONDITION] claim. First, identify the DBQ sections for this condition. We will use them to structure the witness statement so it independently corroborates what the examiner is required to evaluate. Ask me questions — one at a time — about what my [RELATIONSHIP] has personally observed, organized by DBQ section: - How long have they known me and witnessed my condition? - What do they observe daily that shows my limitations? - What have they had to take over doing for me? - What does a bad episode or flare look like — exactly what do they see? - How has my condition changed over the time they have known me? - What activities or plans have we had to cancel because of my condition? - Any DBQ-specific observations Draft in their voice — first person as the witness, not as me. Follow the same DBQ section order as my personal statement. Their statement should add new observations, not repeat what I said. Confirm every factual detail before finalizing. Replace [RELATIONSHIP] and [CONDITION] before running.

Audit Prompt 3 — Strengthen the Witness Statement

Review the witness statement against the DBQ sections and against my personal lay statement. - Does it independently address every major DBQ section? - Does it add new evidence, or overlap too much with my personal statement? - Are the observations specific and datable, or general and unprovable? - Does it establish the witness's credibility — how long they have known me and how consistently they observe my symptoms? - Does it read as authentic first-person testimony? Rewrite sections that need strengthening and explain what changed.

The Goal — A Fully Developed Claim, Not a Fast One

What this guide is actually building toward.

Everything up to this point — your lay statements, your witness statement, your evidence — exists to build what the VA calls a Fully Developed Claim. That means when you hand this to your VSO, the file already contains everything a rater needs to make a decision. Strong evidence from your own providers, your own records, and your own documented account, not a third-party contractor who spent twenty minutes with you and filled out a form.

A claim file built this way carries real advantages. It gives the VA the option to rate you directly from the evidence already in the file — sometimes without ordering a new C&P exam at all. And when an exam does happen, the examiner is reviewing a file that already says clearly what is wrong, when it started, and how it affects you — not trying to extract that information from scratch in a 20-minute appointment.

Do not rush this. Do not file before the evidence is ready.

Filing early with thin evidence almost always backfires. A weak claim filed today does not just risk a denial — a denial creates a written decision that future raters and examiners will read, and overturning a documented denial is harder than building a strong claim the first time. There is no prize for filing first. There is a real cost to filing wrong.

Take the time this guide is built around. Run the assessment prompts. Get the lay statements right. Get the nexus letters and DBQs in hand before you file — not after. A claim that takes three extra months to prepare and gets approved is better than a claim filed today that gets denied and takes two years to fix on appeal.

File claims together when they are connected. Otherwise, file them in order of readiness — not all at once.

If conditions are genuinely linked — a primary condition and its secondary conditions, like a spine injury and the radiculopathy or sleep apnea connected to it — filing them together makes sense. The evidence overlaps and the conditions tell one coherent medical story.

But do not file every claim you might ever have all at once just because you can. A pile of claims submitted on the same day, several of them thin on evidence, does not move faster than one strong claim — it usually moves slower, and a weak claim in the stack can drag down how a rater approaches the whole submission. File what is ready. Let the rest keep developing. Use Prompt 1's status tags to know the difference.

Finding Private DBQ and Nexus Letter Providers

A private Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) or nexus letter from your own doctor — one who knows your history and is not working for a VA contractor — is some of the strongest evidence you can put in your file. It is also one of the most underused tools available to veterans, mostly because no one tells them it exists or how to find a provider who does this work.

Why a private DBQ or nexus letter matters.

A VA C&P examiner often meets you for the first time on exam day and has limited time to form an opinion. A private provider who has actually treated you can write a far more thorough, accurate DBQ or nexus letter — in their own time, based on real treatment history, not a single rushed appointment.

A complete DBQ from a private provider can sometimes allow the VA to rate a condition directly from the evidence already in your file, without ordering a new C&P exam at all. At minimum, it gives any examiner who does see you a second, independent clinical opinion that supports what you are telling them.

Prompt — Find a Private DBQ or Nexus Letter Provider

I am looking for a private provider who can complete a DBQ or write a nexus letter for my [CONDITION] claim. I am located in or near [CITY, STATE]. Help me think through how to find one: 1. Tell me what kind of provider typically handles this for my condition type — primary care, a specialist, or a veteran-focused telehealth provider — and why. 2. Suggest practical ways to search, including: - Searching "[CONDITION] DBQ" or "nexus letter" combined with my city and state - Checking whether veteran-focused telehealth providers serve my state (some specialize specifically in DBQs and nexus letters and can see veterans regardless of location within the states they are licensed) - Asking my current treating provider directly whether they are willing to complete a DBQ or write a nexus letter, since a doctor who already treats me does not need to be a VA specialist to do this - Asking my VSO whether they maintain a list of providers other veterans have used successfully 3. Tell me what questions I should ask a provider before scheduling, so I know they understand what a legally sufficient nexus opinion actually requires (the "at least as likely as not" standard) and are not just writing a vague letter that will not hold up. 4. Tell me roughly what this typically costs out of pocket, since most private DBQs and nexus letters are not covered by VA or other insurance. Replace [CONDITION] and [CITY, STATE] before running.

Found a provider who did great work? Tell other veterans about it. Use the contact form at the bottom of this site and select "DBQ / Nexus Referral" — vetted recommendations get added to the Sitrep page so other veterans do not have to start from zero.

A VSO — Veterans Service Organization representative — is a free, accredited advocate who can file claims on your behalf, access VA systems you cannot reach on your own, and represent you through appeals. Before you submit a single form, you should have one.

Just as important as having a VSO is what you bring them. A VSO can only file what you give them — they are not the ones building your evidence. Walk in with a fully developed claim file: completed lay statements, witness statements, and wherever possible, a private DBQ or nexus letter already in hand. A VSO who receives a thin file with no supporting evidence can only file a thin claim. A VSO who receives a complete file built the way this guide describes can file a claim that gives the VA everything it needs to make a fair decision the first time.

What a VSO can do that you cannot do alone.

Access VA's internal claims system (VBMS) to see exactly what the rater is looking at
Submit claims and evidence directly into your electronic file
Monitor claim status in real time and flag procedural errors before they become problems
Request a Decision Review Officer review or Higher-Level Review on your behalf
Connect you with accredited VA attorneys for Board of Veterans Appeals cases
Represent you at predetermination hearings for proposed rating reductions

Not all VSOs are created equally.

Quality depends on the individual representative, not just the organization. If yours does not return calls, does not review evidence before submitting, or cannot explain a rating decision — find a different one. You are not obligated to stay.

Where to find one: Your state Department of Veterans Affairs has free accredited representatives. National organizations like DAV, VFW, American Legion, and PVA also provide free representation. The VA accreditation database at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation lets you search by state.

The Forms Problem — and Why This Guide Exists

VA forms — the 21-4138, the 21-10210 — do not have enough space for everything you need to say. They were designed for brief answers. Your claim documentation is not brief.

Any signed, dated document can be submitted as evidence to the VA.

A typed statement — your own paper, your own format, your own length — signed and dated, is valid evidence. Your VSO submits it. The rater reads it. The record is complete. That is exactly what the prompts in this guide produce.

VSO Finder Prompt

I need help finding a VSO representative in my area. Based on my memory file, help me: 1. List the free VSO resources available in my state — state Department of Veterans Affairs and national organizations with nearby offices 2. Tell me what to look for and what questions to ask when I meet with a VSO for the first time 3. Tell me what a VSO should be doing for me at each stage of my claims process 4. If I already have a VSO, help me draft a brief summary of my current claims status to send them so they are up to speed If I have a proposed reduction or Board appeal, also tell me what to look for in an accredited VA claims attorney and how the contingency fee system works.

Understanding C&P Exams — What Veterans Need to Know

The examiner is not on your side. They are there to fill out a form.

C&P exams are conducted by VA employees or third-party contractors — Optum Serve, LHI, QTC. Their job is to fill out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) based on what they observe and what you tell them. They are not your doctor. They are not your advocate. Many review your case for the first and only time on the day of your appointment.

Your job in that room is to make sure every section of the DBQ gets answered accurately. If you minimize your symptoms, that minimization goes into your permanent record. If the examiner misses a section, that gap becomes a problem in your file.

What Happens in a C&P Exam — Right vs. Wrong Answers

What the Examiner Asks	Wrong Answer	Right Answer
"How is your back pain today?"	"It's okay today, not too bad."	"Today is moderate — about a 5 out of 10. My worst days hit 8 or 9 and I cannot get out of bed. I have 2 to 3 of those a month."
"Can you bend forward for me?"	[Pushes through pain and bends as far as possible without saying anything]	"I can go to about [X degrees] before pain stops me. I am stopping here because of pain, not because I physically cannot move further."
"Are you working?"	"Yes, I work from home."	"Yes, but only because my employer allows flexible hours. On bad days I cannot work at all. I have had to leave jobs before because of my condition."
"How does your condition affect daily life?"	"It's hard but I manage."	"I cannot [specific task]. I rely on my [family member] to [specific task]. I have stopped [specific activity] entirely."
Examiner wraps up without asking about flares	[Says nothing]	"Before we finish — I want to make sure you have my flare information. These happen [frequency] and last [duration]. I want that in the record."

Your right: You are allowed to bring written notes or a reference sheet into a C&P exam. Use it. If you have anxiety, word retrieval issues, or difficulty communicating under pressure, a reference sheet in your hands is a legitimate accommodation.

Prompt 4 — C&P Exam Roadmap (DBQ-Matched with Evidence References)

This prompt builds a preparation document that follows the actual DBQ for your condition section by section — and maps your specific evidence to each section by document name and date. An examiner cannot claim a finding is unsupported when you are holding a printed copy of the supporting document in your hand.

Prompt 4 — C&P Exam Roadmap

I have a C&P exam scheduled for [CONDITION] on [DATE] with [EXAMINER / CONTRACTOR if known]. Build me a preparation roadmap that matches every section of the DBQ for this condition. For each DBQ section: - Tell me what the examiner is required to document - Tell me what questions they are likely to ask - Give me the key points I need to make sure are covered - List every piece of evidence in my uploaded records that speaks to this section — by document name, date, and what it shows. I need to be able to say "that is covered in my [document] dated [date]." - Flag any section where my evidence is thin or absent After covering all DBQ sections: - A complete evidence checklist — every document I should bring printed copies of, organized by DBQ section - The 3 most important things I must communicate in this exam - Exact language I can use if the examiner tries to end before covering something important - Exact language if the examiner implies a finding is not supported by the record Replace [CONDITION], [DATE], and [EXAMINER / CONTRACTOR] before running.

Audit Prompt 4 — Strengthen the Roadmap

Review the C&P exam roadmap for my [CONDITION] exam. - Are there any DBQ sections we missed? - For every section with listed evidence — is there additional documentation we should add? - Are there sections where we listed no evidence? Best way to address before the exam? - Which sections are most likely to determine my final rating outcome? - Is there anything in my history an examiner might use to minimize my rating, and how do I address it accurately? - Does the evidence checklist capture everything I need to bring? Update the roadmap and evidence checklist with anything needed.

Prompt 4B — Evidence Print Checklist for Exam Day

Run this separately the day before your exam. It produces a standalone printable checklist of exactly what to bring so you are not relying on memory.

Prompt 4B — Evidence Print Checklist

I have a C&P exam for [CONDITION] on [DATE]. Generate a complete evidence print checklist. Review all my uploaded records and the roadmap we built. Produce a checklist organized by DBQ section: DOCUMENT NAME | DATE | WHAT IT PROVES | WHICH DBQ SECTION | PRINT? (YES/NO) Mark PRINT: YES for any document where: - The examiner is likely to ask about something this document directly addresses - The finding contradicts or would contradict a minimizing examiner conclusion - This is imaging, diagnostic, or objective evidence the examiner may not have reviewed After the checklist, produce: 1. BRING LIST — if I can only print 5 things, what are the 5 priority items? 2. VERBAL REFERENCE — key facts I should be able to say out loud without looking at papers 3. SURPRISE PREP — anything in my records an examiner might bring up that I need to be ready to address Format so I can print it and check off items as I gather them. Replace [CONDITION] and [DATE] before running.

Prompt 5 — Communication Reference Sheet

Different from the roadmap. The roadmap is your preparation at home. This is what you hold in your hands in the exam room. Short, plain, readable under stress.

Bring your witness to the exam — and put them to work.

You have the right to bring a support person. If your spouse, partner, or family member has already written a lay statement, bring them. They can fill out the After Action Report in real time while you focus on answering questions — and they can help you find the right words when you are struggling under pressure.

The examiner is one person filling out a form. You and your witness are two people with documented, consistent accounts of the same appointment. If the exam report does not match what happened, you have two witnesses who can say so.

Prompt 5 — Communication Reference Sheet

Build me a one-page communication reference sheet for my [CONDITION] C&P exam. This is what I will hold during the exam because I have difficulty communicating under pressure. Keep it short enough for one page. Use plain language I can read quickly under stress. Include: - My top 3 to 5 symptoms with specific severity and frequency numbers - My functional limitations — what I cannot do, stated plainly - My worst episode description — one or two sentences I can read out loud - A reminder to stop range of motion testing when pain starts, not when forced to stop - A sentence I can say if the examiner tries to end early without covering my flares - A sentence I can say if I need a moment to collect myself Format so the most important things are at the top. I should find any section in under 5 seconds. Replace [CONDITION] before running.

Prompt 6 — After Action Report (AAR)

After every C&P exam, document what happened while it is fresh. Examiners sometimes skip sections, fail to review records, or document findings that do not match what happened. An inadequate exam can be challenged under 38 CFR 4.2 — but you need documentation of what was wrong.

Prompt 6 — Build a Blank AAR for My Upcoming Exam

I have a C&P exam scheduled for [CONDITION] on [DATE]. Build me a blank After Action Report form that I — or my witness — can fill out during and immediately after the exam. The AAR should cover: - Logistics: date, time, location, examiner name and credentials, whether it started on time - Records review: did the examiner mention reviewing my records? Did I have to show them anything they did not already have? - Physical testing: what range of motion or physical tests were done, what were the results, was painful motion documented? - Topics covered: which symptoms were asked about, which were not - Flares: did the examiner ask about my worst days, or only about today? - Examiner behavior: anything notable — rushed, dismissive, or thorough - What I said vs. what I think was written: any gaps - Deficiency flags: anything skipped, rushed, or handled incorrectly - Immediate next steps: what I need to do before the rating decision Format as a checklist and fill-in form — easy to complete quickly after the exam. Replace [CONDITION] and [DATE] before running.

Prompt 6B — AAR Review After the Exam

I just completed my C&P exam for [CONDITION]. Here is what happened: [DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED] Review my description and tell me: 1. Were there procedural deficiencies — things the examiner was required to cover that they did not? 2. Does anything suggest the exam may be inadequate under 38 CFR 4.2? 3. What should I do right now — before the rating decision — to protect my claim? 4. Should I contact my VSO or attorney about anything specific? 5. Is there additional evidence I should submit immediately to supplement what the examiner may have missed? Replace [CONDITION] and fill in what happened before running.

Prompt 6C — Practice C&P Exam

The best thing you can do in the days before a C&P exam is run through it. This prompt turns Claude into the examiner — working through the actual DBQ section by section, asking the same questions a contractor will ask in the room. Run it 2 to 3 days before your exam.

How to use this: Answer the way you would in the real room. After the session, Claude tells you where your answers were strong, where they were vague, and what to tighten before you walk in. Then update your reference sheet. Run it more than once — the second run after updating your sheet is where you solidify the answers.

Prompt 6C — Practice C&P Exam

I have a C&P exam coming up for [CONDITION] on [DATE]. I want to do a full practice exam. Play the role of a C&P examiner conducting this exam using the actual DBQ for [CONDITION]. Work through the DBQ section by section, asking the questions the examiner will likely ask — exactly as a real examiner would. Do not coach me while the practice is running. Just ask and wait. After I answer each question, move to the next without commenting. Continue until we have covered the full DBQ. When finished, come out of examiner mode and give me: 1. STRONG ANSWERS — which were specific, complete, and well-documented. What made them work. 2. WEAK ANSWERS — which were vague, too short, minimized symptoms, or missed something the DBQ required. Quote what I said and show a stronger answer. 3. MISSED INFORMATION — anything the DBQ requires that I did not address at all. 4. COMMUNICATION PATTERNS — did I use vague words? Describe today instead of my worst days? Push through pain without noting it? Flag every pattern that would hurt me in the real exam. 5. UPDATED REFERENCE SHEET — based on what I struggled with, update my communication reference sheet so those answers are pre-loaded. Do not be easy on me. If an examiner would have moved on without getting what they needed, do the same. Replace [CONDITION] and [DATE] before running.

Prompt 7 — Reduction Defense

If the VA sends you a proposed rating reduction, you have a limited window to respond — typically 60 days. Upload the letter immediately and run this prompt.

Prompt 7 — Reduction Defense

I received a proposed rating reduction from the VA. I have uploaded the letter. Please: 1. Tell me exactly what they are proposing to reduce and by how much 2. Identify their stated reason for the reduction 3. Identify any procedural errors under 38 CFR 3.344 — the sustained improvement standard 4. Compare the evidence they cited against what is actually in my records — is their characterization accurate? 5. Help me draft a formal rebuttal that addresses each point in their letter 6. Tell me what additional evidence I should gather and submit before my deadline My deadline to respond is [DATE]. Walk me through what needs to happen and in what order. Replace [DATE] before running.

Audit Prompt 7 — Strengthen the Rebuttal

Review the reduction rebuttal we drafted. - Does it address every specific point in the VA's proposed reduction letter? - Have we cited 38 CFR 3.344 and the sustained improvement standard explicitly? - Is there any evidence in my records that directly contradicts the VA's claim of improvement? - Are there procedural deficiencies in how the reduction was proposed — missing notice requirements, reliance on a single exam, failure to consider the full longitudinal record? - What is the strongest argument and what is the weakest? How do we strengthen the weak point? Revise the rebuttal with anything that needs to be added or tightened.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) — Benefits Most Veterans Never File

Special Monthly Compensation is paid above and beyond your regular disability rating. It is not based on your combined percentage — it is based on specific conditions or functional losses. Many veterans who qualify have never been told about it.

Category	What Qualifies	Who This Typically Applies To
SMC-K	Loss or loss of use of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction); anatomical losses under 38 CFR 3.350(a)	Veterans with service-connected spinal conditions, or medications (antidepressants, antihypertensives, opioids) with documented ED as a side effect
SMC-L	Loss or loss of use of both feet, both hands, or one of each; OR need for regular aid and attendance	Veterans with severe bilateral lower extremity or neurological conditions, or those requiring daily caregiver assistance
SMC-S (Housebound)	Rated 100% for one condition AND additional 60%+ from unrelated conditions; OR substantially confined to home	Veterans with a single 100% condition (including TDIU) plus significant additional ratings
SMC-T	Need for regular aid and attendance by a licensed healthcare provider	Veterans requiring nursing-level care at home due to service-connected disabilities

SMC-K and erectile dysfunction — the most overlooked claim in the VA system.

SMC-K pays a flat monthly amount on top of your regular compensation. It requires only that the condition is documented in your VA medical record and connected to service or to a service-connected medication. Many veterans on antidepressants, antihypertensives, opioid pain medications, or with spinal conditions qualify and have never filed.

Prompt — SMC Eligibility Assessment

Based on my memory file, current ratings, and uploaded records, assess my eligibility for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). For each category — K, L, S, and T — tell me: 1. Whether I appear to qualify based on my current ratings and documented conditions 2. What specific evidence in my records supports qualification 3. What additional documentation I would need 4. What the current monthly payment amount is for this category 5. How to file — the specific form and what supporting evidence to attach Pay particular attention to SMC-K for erectile dysfunction — including whether any of my current medications have documented ED as a side effect. And SMC-S — whether my ratings structure meets the 100% plus 60% threshold. If I qualify for any SMC category, calculate what my total monthly compensation would be with SMC added. Use current VA rates. Evaluate every category. Do not skip one because it seems unlikely.

Prompt — SMC-K Claim Development

I want to develop an SMC-K claim for loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. Based on my records and memory file: 1. Is my ED documented in my VA medical record? When was it first noted? 2. Is it connected to a service-connected condition — spinal, neurological, or other rated disability? 3. Is it a documented side effect of any medication I take for a service-connected condition? 4. What is the strongest connection theory — direct secondary, medication-induced, or both? 5. What additional documentation do I need? Then help me: - Draft a personal lay statement documenting the condition and its connection to service - Identify what my VA provider needs to document in my record - Draft a secure message to my provider requesting the appropriate documentation Tell me the current SMC-K monthly payment amount and what my total compensation would be if this claim is granted.

Prompt 8 — Long-Term Claims Strategy

Once your immediate claims and defenses are in motion, step back and build the full picture.

Prompt 8 — Long-Term Claims Strategy

Based on everything we have worked on — my memory file, records, current ratings, and active claims — help me build a long-term strategy. Cover: - What my current combined rating is and what I need to reach my goal - Which active claims have the highest impact and strongest evidence right now - Which claims need more development before they are ready to file - What order I should file things in and why - What I need to protect versus what I can push to increase - Any risks — rating reductions, claim interactions, or evidence gaps - Realistic timeline: what is achievable in the next 6 months, 12 months, and beyond Be direct about what is realistic. I want a plan, not encouragement.

Audit Prompt 8 — Evolve the Strategy

It has been [TIME PERIOD] since we built my claims strategy. Here is what has changed: [DESCRIBE — new ratings, new records, exam results, denials, approvals] Review my original strategy and update it: - What changed and how does it affect the plan? - Are there opportunities we did not see before? - Are there risks that have emerged that need to be addressed first? - What is my next concrete action — the single most important thing to do right now? Replace [TIME PERIOD] and fill in what has changed before running.

Prompt 9 — Master File Audit and Evolution

Run this periodically to review everything Claude has helped you build. As your records grow, your situation changes, and new ratings come in, earlier documents can become outdated. This prompt evolves your entire file.

Prompt 9 — Master File Audit

I want to audit everything we have built so far and make it stronger. Review all documents we have worked on — lay statements, witness statements, roadmaps, and strategy. Then tell me: 1. What has changed in my records or situation since these documents were written that affects their accuracy or strength? 2. Which document is currently the weakest link — and what would it take to fix it? 3. Are there any inconsistencies between documents that could create credibility problems? 4. Is there any new evidence in my recently uploaded records that should be incorporated? 5. What is the single most important thing I could do right now to move my claims forward? After the audit, give me a prioritized action list — no more than 5 items — ranked by impact.

Run this every time something significant changes — a new rating decision, a new C&P exam, new imaging, a proposed reduction, or any major change in your health or work situation. Your file is not static. Neither is your strategy.

Part 2 Your VA Care — How It Connects to Your Claims

Getting the rating you deserve and getting the care you need are two different things — but they feed each other. Treatment records are evidence. Doctor's notes are evidence. Referrals are evidence. The way you communicate with your VA care team directly affects what ends up in your file, and what ends up in your file directly affects your claims.

This section covers what you need to know. A full set of prompts for navigating VA healthcare — secure messaging, referrals, specialty care, and the benefits most veterans never claim — is in the VA Care Guide.

Secure Messaging Is Evidence

Every message you send through MyHealtheVet becomes part of your permanent VA medical record.

When you send a secure message describing your symptoms, it is timestamped, provider-received, and filed. It goes into the Blue Button report that VA raters and C&P examiners review. A message saying "my back pain has been at a 7 or 8 for the past three weeks and I am having trouble walking to the mailbox" creates a dated notation in your record that no examiner can ignore.

Write your symptoms down. Send them in. Do it consistently. The VA Care Guide has prompts to help you write secure messages that are clinically specific and designed to build your claims record.

What Supports Your Claims — A Short List

What It Is	Why It Matters for Your Claims
Consistent treatment visits	A condition you treat regularly is harder to argue has improved. Gaps in treatment are used to suggest your condition is not as severe as claimed.
Secure messages documenting symptoms	Timestamped, provider-received symptom reports that go directly into your medical record and Blue Button report.
Specialist referrals and notes	A specialist's clinical findings carry more weight than a primary care note. Neurology, orthopedics, audiology, and mental health notes are among the most useful.
Imaging and diagnostic studies	MRIs, X-rays, EMGs, sleep studies, and audiograms are objective evidence raters cannot easily dismiss.
Mental health treatment records	Active mental health treatment is the single strongest support for a PTSD claim. Diagnosis plus treatment notes is the foundation.
Assistive device prescriptions	A VA-prescribed cane, CPAP, brace, or hearing aid is objective evidence of functional limitation.
Primary care notes describing limitations	When your PCP notes that you reported difficulty walking, pain with activity, or inability to perform tasks, that note goes into your file.

See the VA Care Guide for the full set of prompts covering secure messaging, appointment preparation, specialist referrals, imaging requests, mental health access, assistive devices, and the benefits most veterans leave on the table.

Recovery Get Back on Track — If You Got Off Course

This process has a recommended order. But life happens. You may have jumped ahead, skipped a step, or come back after a long break. This prompt helps Claude figure out where you are and get you moving in the right direction.

Get Back on Track Prompt

I have been using this VA Claims Builder guide but I got off track. Help me figure out where I stand and get back on course. Ask me the following questions, one at a time: A) Have I completed the Project Setup guide — memory file uploaded, Priority 1 records in my Project? 1. Yes, setup is complete and my memory file is loaded 2. I did the memory builder but never saved or uploaded the file 3. No, I have not done setup yet 4. I am not sure what the Project Setup guide is B) Have I run Prompt 1 (Claims Map) yet? 1. Yes — I have a claims map with status tags and rating ranges 2. I started it but did not finish 3. No 4. I do not know what that is C) Have I run the PTSD assessment (Prompt 1B)? 1. Yes — I have my PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores 2. I started but did not finish 3. No — I am not sure it applies to me 4. I skipped it intentionally D) What am I trying to do right now? 1. I have a C&P exam coming up and need to prepare 2. I received a proposed reduction and need to respond 3. I am trying to build a lay statement for a specific condition 4. I want to assess my PTSD symptoms and document my stressors 5. I want to understand what my realistic rating picture looks like 6. I want to check whether I qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) 7. I just want to know where to start 8. Something else — I will explain E) How long since I last worked on my claims in this Project? 1. This is my first or second session 2. Less than a week 3. A few weeks 4. More than a month — I need to catch up After I answer all five questions, tell me: 1. Exactly where I am in the process 2. What I missed or should go back and complete before moving forward 3. The specific prompts to run in order — starting right now. Use these routing rules: - D=1 (C&P exam): Prompt 4 (roadmap) → Prompt 4B (print checklist) → Prompt 6C (practice exam) - D=2 (proposed reduction): Prompt 7 immediately — flag any deadline - D=3 (lay statement): Prompt 2 then Prompt 3 - D=4 (PTSD): Prompt 1B then Prompt 1C - D=5 (rating picture): Prompt 1 with full P&T reality check - D=6 (SMC): SMC Eligibility Assessment prompt - D=7 or D=8: Ask one follow-up question to determine the right starting point 4. Whether there is anything time-sensitive to deal with first

About VeteranUnlocked — Read Before You Begin

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These guides are free. The prompts are free. The frameworks are free. They are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC). No one is permitted to charge veterans for access to this content. If someone is selling these guides or the prompts inside them, they are in violation of the license.

This is not legal advice. This is not medical advice. VeteranUnlocked is an educational resource built by a veteran to help other veterans navigate the VA system using AI tools. VA claims decisions are made by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Medical decisions are made between you and your providers.

Claude can make mistakes. Every document it produces should be reviewed by you for accuracy before you submit it to the VA, share it with your VSO or attorney, or send it to a provider. You are responsible for the accuracy of what you file.

VeteranUnlocked is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Anthropic, or any VSO or claims organization. What we are is a veteran who figured this out and decided to share it. Use it, verify it, work with your VSO, and get what you earned.