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Truth Veteran

Editorial Policy and Sourcing Standards

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Sourcing and primary research standards

Truth Veteran adheres to strict regulatory research standards. Every guide, benefit breakdown, and disability rating explanation published on our site is written and reviewed by the Truth Veteran Benefits Desk and grounded in primary legal and governmental authorities. We do not rely on secondary summaries, forum discussions, or unverified claims.

The Truth Veteran Benefits Desk consults the following primary sources when drafting and reviewing content:

  • Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR): We cite the specific regulatory sections, rating schedules, and diagnostic codes governing disability evaluations, including Part 3 (Adjudication) and Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities).
  • Title 38 of the United States Code (38 U.S.C.): We reference the underlying federal statutes governing veteran benefits, eligibility, and statutory compensation rules.
  • Official publications on VA.gov: We cite official benefit rate tables, eligibility requirements, and administrative guidance published by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): For topics involving military retired pay, Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP), and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), we reference official DFAS guidance and rules.

Editorial independence and ethics

Truth Veteran is an independent publishing platform. We maintain complete autonomy over our editorial coverage and research priorities. We do not accept sponsored content, paid promotional placement, or commercial compensation from claims consultancies, claims preparation firms, or legal practices.

The Truth Veteran Benefits Desk operates under the following core ethical commitments:

  • No claims assistance for a fee: We do not prepare, present, or prosecute claims for VA benefits, and we will never charge fees for benefits advice. We advocate for veterans utilizing free services provided by accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) or licensed professionals recognized under 38 U.S.C. Section 5904.
  • Clear non-affiliation: We explicitly state our non-affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and all government agencies across our educational resources and our about page.
  • No speculative outcome claims: We never promise specific rating increases, back pay figures, or claim approval guarantees. All disability ratings depend on individual military records, medical evidence, and regulatory criteria evaluated by the VA.

Calculator privacy and integrity

Our interactive calculators, including tools for estimating disability ratings and back pay, are built with strict computational standards. Calculations are modeled directly on statutory formulas, such as the combined ratings table in 38 CFR 4.25 and published compensation schedules.

To safeguard user privacy, all calculator processing occurs exclusively within the user’s web browser. Our servers do not collect, process, or retain any numerical inputs, medical conditions, or dates entered into these interactive tools. For full details on our data practices, review our privacy policy.

Auditing, updates, and corrections

VA compensation rates, diagnostic criteria, and presumptive condition lists change over time. The Truth Veteran Benefits Desk reviews and updates guides when statutory changes, rule updates, or annual cost-of-living adjustments take effect. Every guide displays its publication and update dates.

When an error, misinterpretation, or outdated rule is reported, the Truth Veteran Benefits Desk checks the matter against primary sources and updates the affected guide. Readers and advocates are encouraged to report factual errors or outdated citations to our research desk at [email protected] or through our contact page.