Xterra Health Veteran Disability Services

09/09/2026

September 11 could give veterans an early look at next year’s VA disability COLA increase.

But the official number comes in October, takes effect December 1, and shows up in your January payment.

Watch the estimate if you’re curious. In the meantime, make sure you’re getting the VA disability rating and compensation you’ve actually earned.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/08/2026

The CPAP proves you have sleep apnea. It doesn’t prove what caused it.

That connection can come from the rest of the evidence: your service history, existing ratings, medical records, lay statements, and the medical literature.

The diagnosis is one piece. Connecting it to your service is another.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/08/2026

How much should a nexus letter actually cost? And does paying more mean better medical evidence?

We break down nexus letter costs, free options, what to look for, and what veterans should avoid before paying for help with a VA disability claim.

Check out our blog on Understanding Nexus Letters for VA Disability Claims: Costs and Affordable Options with us here at Xterra Health!

09/07/2026

Your “good” side may be doing more work than you realize.

When pain or an injury causes you to favor one knee, hip, ankle or leg for years, the other side can take on the extra load. Over time, that compensation can create problems of its own.

If you’re already service connected on one side and now have problems on the other, there may be a medical connection worth looking into. And when both sides are service connected, the VA’s bilateral factor can also affect your combined rating.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/04/2026

Hearing loss usually doesn’t happen all at once.

Years around rifle ranges, flight lines, generators, heavy weapons and other constant noise can damage the tiny hair cells inside your inner ear. Once those cells are damaged, they don’t grow back.

You may not notice the full impact right away, but that damage can become much more obvious as you get older and your hearing naturally changes.

If your hearing loss started with years of military noise exposure, it may be worth looking at whether there’s a service connection.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/03/2026

Four years of “WHAT?” apparently wasn’t enough evidence.

But if years of weapons, aircraft, engines, and questionable hearing protection left you turning the TV up to 70, we should probably talk.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/02/2026

Years of rucking, jumping, running on concrete, climbing in and out of vehicles and carrying heavy loads can take a toll long after your service ends.

And sometimes one bad joint doesn't stay one bad joint. A knee injury can change how you walk, putting additional stress on your hips, back or opposite knee. Those conditions may potentially be connected as secondary claims when the medical evidence supports it.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

09/01/2026

Nothing but peace, quiet, and EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

08/31/2026

The VA math isn't fair.

But understanding how the system works gives you a better chance of getting the rating you've earned.

Know your true combined rating. Document your conditions. Build the medical evidence before you file. And when it's time for your C&P exam, be honest about your worst days, not just your best ones.

You already paid the price for these conditions during your service. Make sure the VA has the evidence it needs to accurately evaluate your claim.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.

08/28/2026

Think two 50% VA ratings equal 100%? Not quite.

The VA doesn't simply add your disability ratings together. Instead, each new rating is applied to the percentage of your body that's considered "healthy" after the previous rating.

That's why two separate 50% ratings combine to 80%, not 100%.

Understanding VA math can help you set realistic expectations and avoid a lot of confusion when your decision letter arrives.

Xterra Health is veteran owned, physician led. Reach out today to schedule a consultation for your nexus letter or DBQ.