🎙️ “Autoimmune Disease and VA Disability: What Veterans Need to Know”
Written in the same trusted, veteran-focused tone that matches your Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting brand.
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🎙️ Show Notes: Autoimmune Disease and VA Disability — What Veterans Need to Know

Hosted by: Leah Bucholz, Founder & CEO of Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode, Leah Bucholz explains how autoimmune diseases — such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and others — can qualify for VA disability benefits.

Many Veterans live with autoimmune disorders triggered or worsened by service-related stress, environmental exposures, or other medical conditions. Leah outlines how these diseases are rated, the different ways they can be service-connected, and what the medical literature says about the link between military service and immune system dysfunction.

This episode helps Veterans and their advocates understand how to build stronger, evidence-based VA claims for autoimmune conditions.

🩺 Key Topics Covered

[00:00] — Welcome & Introduction
Leah introduces the topic and shares why autoimmune disease claims can be complex but highly important for Veterans seeking accurate VA ratings.

[01:00] — What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Overview of what autoimmune conditions are, and examples commonly seen in Veterans: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disorders, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

[02:30] — How the VA Rates Autoimmune Diseases
Explanation of how the VA uses different diagnostic codes to rate each condition based on the affected organ system — for example, lupus under DC 6350, rheumatoid arthritis under DC 5002, and multiple sclerosis under DC 8018.
Discussion of factors that determine rating levels: symptom frequency, flare-ups, organ involvement, and overall impairment.

[05:00] — Service Connection Pathways
Leah covers the four main ways autoimmune diseases may be connected to military service:

1. Direct connection — condition began during active duty.
2. Presumptive connection — conditions like multiple sclerosis within seven years post-service.
3. Secondary connection — autoimmune condition caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability (e.g., PTSD, GERD).
4. Aggravation — pre-existing autoimmune disease worsened by service factors like stress or exposure.

[08:00] — Medical Literature and Research
A look at peer-reviewed studies showing how environmental toxins, chronic stress, and infections can influence autoimmune activity — and how these factors are often present in military populations.

[10:00] — Working with Accredited Legal Professionals
Why Veterans should seek help from VA-accredited attorneys, agents, or Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) who understand autoimmune claims and how to present complex medical evidence effectively.

[12:00] — Final Thoughts
Leah closes with encouragement for Veterans: autoimmune claims are challenging, but with medical evidence and the right advocacy, success is achievable.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Autoimmune diseases can be rated under multiple systems depending on the organs affected.
• Veterans may qualify for direct, presumptive, secondary, or aggravated service connection.
• Research supports links between military stress and environmental exposure and autoimmune conditions.
• Accurate, detailed medical opinions are critical for strong VA claims.
• Accredited legal professionals can help ensure your claim is properly supported and presented.

🧭 Resources Mentioned

• VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR §4)
• VA Accreditation Search Tool: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/

• Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting: [insert website URL]
• Journal of Autoimmunity (2015) — environmental triggers and immune dysfunction
• Environmental Health Perspectives (2016) — military exposures and autoimmune disease

📞 Connect with Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting

Visit [insert website URL] to learn more about independent, evidence-based medical opinions that help strengthen Veterans’ VA disability claims.

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🔖 Episode Keywords (SEO-formatted)

autoimmune disease VA disability, autoimmune VA claim, VA rating autoimmune, lupus VA disability, rheumatoid arthritis VA claim, multiple sclerosis VA rating, thyroid disorder VA claim, immune system VA disability, VA medical nexus, autoimmune Veterans benefits, VA disability process, VA claim help