You Gotta Wanna Know

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, talk about the mindset many veterans experience during and after the VA claims process — constantly asking, "What comes next?" For those going through the process for the first time, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. But in this conversation, Anthony and Tim explain how the VA process itself can become a roadmap — even if you're not service connected right away. They break down how each step, decision, and piece of feedback from the VA can help you better understand your claim, strengthen your approach, and move forward with more clarity. This episode is just over 12 minutes. Whether you're just starting or have already received a decision, this episode is a reminder that the process isn't just an outcome — it's a guide to getting where you need to be.

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, 23-year veteran, break down the additional benefits that come with being VA service-connected — including medical, state, and everyday savings opportunities many veterans don't fully use. This episode is just over 10 minutes. They cover important benefits like VA healthcare access, property tax exemptions, education programs, and state-specific resources, along with everyday savings through verified veteran discount platforms. If you're service connected and want to make sure you're taking full advantage of what you've earned — from healthcare to housing to education — this episode will help you better understand what's available and where to start.        

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year Army veteran, talk about something many veterans experience but don't always discuss — helping family members understand what comes with being service connected. Not all conditions are visible, and many veterans carry pain, stress, and challenges that aren't always easy to explain. In this conversation, Anthony and Tim share why that disconnect can happen and how communication can help bridge the gap. This episode is just over 15 minutes. They also discuss simple ways to help your family better understand what your day-to-day experience looks like, how to set expectations, and what support can look like in real life. This episode is for veterans and for family members who want to better understand and support their loved one.        

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, walk through a real story of helping a fellow veteran navigate the VA claims process. Tim leads the conversation, breaking down how they approached the claim step by step from establishing service connection to identifying secondary conditions and filing a supplemental claim with stronger supporting evidence. This episode is just over 13 minutes. They discuss what was missed the first time, what changed in the approach, and how understanding the process made a difference in moving the claim forward. If you're feeling stuck, denied, or unsure what to do next, this episode offers a real example of how the right information can help turn things around.

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, a 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, 23-year veteran, explain something many veterans don't even realize they can request — their VA Code Sheet. Your code sheet breaks down every condition connected to your claim and shows how the VA categorized it, including whether conditions are static, involve a bilateral factor, or may be subject to future review. Tim also shares a personal example involving a claim for chronic pain syndrome and how the VA interpreted the claim based on existing service-connected conditions. His experience highlights why understanding how the VA categorizes conditions is so important when filing or reviewing a claim. This episode is just over 14 minutes. If you want a clearer picture of how the VA evaluates your disabilities and how your ratings are structured, this episode explains why requesting your code sheet can be a valuable step.

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, walk through what veterans should expect if they have a C&P exam scheduled for the next day. They cover how to prepare, what to bring, how to communicate your symptoms clearly, and what happens after the exam. In just over 13 minutes,They also discuss timelines for hearing back and how to respond if the VA requests additional information while your claim is still pending. If you're heading into a C&P exam and want to feel more prepared and confident, this episode is for you.

In this episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd, a 9-year Army veteran, and Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, continue the conversation on VA claims by answering some of the most common questions veterans have throughout the process. From understanding timelines and documentation to navigating next steps after filing, this episode helps clarify areas that often cause confusion. If you've ever had questions about your claim or felt unsure about what comes next, this episode provides straightforward insight to help you move forward with more confidence.

In this short Q&A episode of You Gotta Wanna Know, Anthony Boyd and Tim Woods are joined by a special guest — Anthony's brother and a Navy veteran — who shares a few things he wishes he had known before filing his VA claim. In just over 13 minutes, we talk about early mistakes many veterans make, why understanding the process matters, and how preparation can make a difference when starting your claim journey. If you're thinking about filing or are early in the process, this quick conversation may help you avoid a few common pitfalls.

Over the first seven episodes of 2025, we've walked through the VA claims process step by step — from filing your first claim to managing life after service connection. In this recap episode, Tim Woods, a 23-year veteran, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year veteran, revisit the key lessons, common mistakes, and essential takeaways from Episodes 1 through 7. They reflect on why the podcast started, break down the most important points around filing, evidence gathering, C&P exams, VA decisions, and service connection, and tie together how each episode builds on the next. Whether you're new to the show or need a refresher, this episode offers a clear roadmap for navigating the VA claims process with confidence. This episode is designed to help veterans understand where to start, what to revisit, and how to move forward using the information shared throughout the 2025 season so far. At just under 18 minutes, this recap episode is a shorter, focused overview meant to quickly reconnect you with key lessons from Episodes 1 through 7.        

Every veteran has a story behind their VA claim — a journey filled with uncertainty, frustration, lessons learned, and eventually clarity. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, open up about their own claim experiences and how each step shaped what they know today. Anthony shares his own story — navigating service connection, evidence gathering, delays, and the emotional weight of not knowing what would happen next. Tim follows with his story of how his claim unfolded, the mistakes he made early on, the setbacks he faced, and the turning points that finally moved his claim forward.  This episode is a personal look into the real-life journey behind VA claims, offering veterans not just information, but understanding, connection, and reassurance that they're not alone in the process.                      

Becoming service-connected is a major milestone, but it's just the beginning of understanding what benefits, responsibilities, and long-term support are now available to you. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, walk you through what happens after you receive your service-connected rating — from healthcare access and ongoing treatment to managing your disability over time. They break down what to expect with regular check-ins, follow-up appointments, and why staying consistent with your medical care is essential. You'll also learn what "No Future Exams" means, when it applies, and why some conditions are considered static or unlikely to improve based on age or long-term progression. This episode is a little shorter as it solely focuses on helping veterans understand how to manage their condition after becoming service-connected while staying informed, proactive, and confident about the benefits they've earned.                

Understanding what happens after you file your VA claim is just as important as the filing itself. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, break down what the VA's decision really means — whether you receive a rating, get denied, or get referred for more information. They walk you through how to read your rating letter, what to do if your claim is denied, and how Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board Appeals work. You'll also learn what a deferral means, why the VA sometimes sends you for additional exams, and how to respond quickly to protect your effective date. This episode focuses on helping veterans understand the decision phase so they can take the right next steps with confidence — no matter what the VA's response.

Your C&P exam is one of the most important steps in the VA claims process — and for many veterans, also one of the most confusing. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, walk you through what really happens when you go to a C&P exam, from who conducts it to what the examiner is actually evaluating. They break down what to bring, how to talk about your symptoms honestly, and why your prescribed medications, braces, mobility aids, and treatment notes matter. You'll also learn what happens after the exam, how long it usually takes to hear back from the VA, and what to do if the VA requests more information while your claim is still pending. This episode focuses on helping veterans understand the full C&P exam process and the steps to take before and after the evaluation.

After you submit your VA claim, the waiting begins — and for many veterans, this stage feels confusing, slow, and unpredictable. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, walk you through what happens next in the claims process, from evidence gathering and record requests to understanding the stages your claim moves through behind the scenes. They explain what to expect at each step, why the VA may request additional information, and how to prepare for your C&P Exam without missing critical deadlines. You'll also learn the difference between private medical evidence and military/VA medical records — what each one proves, why both matter, and how they work together to strengthen your claim. Focusing on what happens after you file and how different types of medical evidence can impact your claim's outcome.

Filing your first VA claim can feel like navigating a maze- one wrong turn and you're stuck waiting months or even years. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9-year vet, walk you through the essential forms needed to file a claim from your Intent to File and Lay Statment to the primary documentation that keeps your claim moving forward. They break down what each form is for, why it matters, and how to avoid common mistakes when filling them out, whether you're doing it online at va.gov, with a VA Liaison, or by mail. You'll also learn what records to have ready, including your DD214, unit name, dates of service, and medical treatment locations.  This episode runs a bit shorter, focusing more on the key forms and documents every veteran needs to successfully file their claim.

Filing your first VA claim can feel like navigating a maze- one wrong turn and you're stuck waiting months or even years. In this episode, Tim Woods, 23-year vet, and Anthony Boyd, 9yr vet, open up about their real experiences with the claims process from missing documentation to misunderstanding VA communication. They walk through how to prepare properly, why documentation matters, and the key differnces a VA liaison can make when helping you file. You'll walk away knowing what to do before you hit "submit" and before filling with a VA liaison.