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Denied benefits don’t mean you’re not disabled — they usually mean your record isn’t saying what the system needs to hear. We sit down with disability law expert, Attorney Nancy Cavey to map a practical route through VA ratings, Social Security’s five-step test, and short- and long-term disability insurance, showing how objective medical evidence turns “I hurt” into “Here’s why I can’t work.” If you’re a veteran juggling C&P exams or a civilian facing an LTD cutoff, this conversation gives you the playbook to build a case that holds up.

Nancy breaks down the crucial differences between systems: VA pays by body-system ratings while Social Security asks whether you can sustain full-time work in the national economy. That shift makes function king — how long you can sit, stand, lift, focus, and show up reliably. We dig into residual functional capacity (RFC) forms, neuropsych testing for TBI, CPET and FCE for fatigue and pain conditions, and imaging like MRIs and CTs to anchor diagnoses.

You’ll learn why “I’m fine” in your chart is fatal, how to replace vague notes with a consistent, detailed history, and what to do when VA clinicians won’t complete forms.

We also cover timing and policy traps that quietly sink claims. From the Social Security date last insured window to LTD offsets and changing definitions of disability, the details matter. Nancy shares field-tested strategies for filing before termination to preserve coverage, coordinating multiple claims without tripping over contradictions, and navigating invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia or ME/CFS when others can’t see what you’re up against. Her three-part checklist—get a lawyer, know each system’s proof, make your records tell the story—turns confusion into a plan.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start winning, listen now, take notes, and share this episode with someone who needs a clear path. Subscribe for more expert guides, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what evidence do you still need to gather?

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DISCLAIMER: The information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare professional before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.