Why File for VA Disability | "I'm Good" and Other Lies Veterans Tell Themselves with Doug Nordman... | The Military Money Manual Video

Did you know even a 0% rating can unlock important benefits for you and your family?

Why do so many veterans delay or avoid filing for VA disability compensation? It’s not about the money—it’s often about identity, pride, and a labyrinth of red tape. Doug Nordman joins Spencer to break the silence and stigma surrounding VA disability claims, while sharing personal stories, tough truths, and practical advice every veteran—and their family—needs to hear.
🎯 Episode Highlights

1. The Hidden Costs of “I’m Good”


• How military culture conditions veterans to downplay symptoms

• The long-term impact of this mindset on health and family

2. Navigating the VA Disability Labyrinth


• What to expect from the C&P (Compensation & Pension) exam

• Why VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) are your best allies

• The importance of documenting everything—early and often

3. Doug’s Personal Story


• Why he waited over a decade after retirement to file

• Lessons learned from his own claim process and a friend’s 100% disability case

4. Caring for Aging Veterans


• The power of a DD-214 and why every family should locate it

• Benefits many don’t know exist until it's too late

• The “miscellaneous folder” tragedy every child of a veteran should avoid

5. The Financial Independence Veteran’s Dilemma


• What if you don’t need the money? Why filing still matters

• VA benefits as a tool for long-term care planning and protecting your family

6. Zero Percent Can Still Mean Everything


• How even non-compensable ratings unlock valuable benefits

• Real-life stories of minor conditions leading to major support later
Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Doug blog: Military Financial Independence (link

• DD-214 resource: National Archives eVetRecs Request (link

• Learn about the PACT Act (link

• The Military Guide Page (link on Facebook

• Forums & communities:

• Mr. Money Mustache (link

• Bogleheads (link

• ESI Money Millionaire Interviews (link

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor (link  sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call.

Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp (link  to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE!

If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual (link  or email [email protected].

If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon (link  or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com (link .

I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (link , the American Express® Gold Card (link , and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (link  in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 (link .

Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 (link .

The Platinum Card® from American Express (link  and the American Express® Gold Card (link  waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.