🎖️ VALOR

Jacklyn Lucas: A Seventeen-Year-Old at Iwo Jima 

Jacklyn Harold Lucas was born on Valentine's Day, 1928, in Plymouth, North Carolina. After his father passed away when he was eleven, he was sent to a military institute. This place would give him structure but also sharpen something already inside him: a need to prove himself, to be useful, to matter. 

When the war came, that need became urgent. At fourteen, he forged his mother's signature and lied his way into the Marine Corps Reserve because, despite his age, he couldn't stomach the idea of staying home while others fought. 

He went through training and stateside assignments, growing more frustrated with each delay. Finally, unwilling to wait any longer, he stowed away on a ship headed for Iwo Jima, making it to the island just in time for battle.

On Feb. 20, 1945, Lucas and three other Marines were pinned down in a trench when two Japanese grenades landed among them. As if by instinct, he threw himself on one grenade and pulled the other underneath his body. One exploded while the other didn't. His three comrades walked away without a scratch, with Lucas barely surviving.

Over the course of his recovery, he endured twenty-one surgeries and lived the rest of his life with hundreds of metal fragments embedded in his body. He was seventeen years old when then-President Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor. He became the youngest Marine and the youngest servicemember of the entire war to receive it. 

What came after wasn't simple. Lucas went back to school and earned a business degree while also being commissioned into the Army, joining the 82nd Airborne, forcing himself to become a paratrooper despite being terrified of heights. He was made captain but was never allowed to deploy to Vietnam. His civilian life had its successes (marriage, children), but also long periods of personal struggle. He didn't pretend any of it was easy. The weight of Iwo Jima, both the visible scars and the invisible ones, stayed with him. 

When he died from complications of leukemia in 2008, recognition of his actions did not end. In 2023, the Navy commissioned the USS Jack H. Lucas to honor his service and bravery.

Honor veterans like Jacklyn Harold Lucas and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

How Do I Pass My C&P Exam? Veteran’s Guide to Success 

VA relies on a compensation and pension (C&P) exam to assess: 

• Whether a claimed condition is service-connected. 

• The severity of the condition. 

• Whether an existing disability rating should be increased or reduced. 

The findings from the exam directly influence a veteran’s disability rating, which affects compensation and eligibility for VA benefits. 

What to Do to Help Make a C&P Exam Successful 

Veterans can contribute to a smoother and more effective exam by keeping several key principles in mind: 

• Prepare ahead of time by understanding what conditions are being evaluated and bringing relevant records and forms. 

• Be honest and direct when answering questions, including how symptoms affect work, daily activities, and home life. 

• Explain how often “bad days” occur and what limitations the condition causes during normal routines. 

• Avoid minimizing symptoms, even if discussing them feels uncomfortable. 

• Appear as you normally would on a typical day and avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting limitations. 

What Not to Do at a C&P Exam 

Veterans should never lie or exaggerate symptoms during a C&P exam. This includes: 

• Using medical devices that are not normally required. 

• Claiming limitations that do not exist in daily life. 

• Downplaying or overstating symptoms. 

The goal of the exam is to accurately reflect real-world functioning, not to perform or persuade. 

What to Expect During the Exam 

A C&P exam differs from a standard medical appointment. The examiner does not provide treatment or prescriptions. Instead, the exam may involve: 

• Questions about symptoms and daily functioning. 

• Behavioral observation. 

• A limited physical or mental health examination. 

• A review of medical records through a chart review instead of an in-person exam. 

The examiner evaluates the claim file (C-File), which may include medical records, service records, and submitted evidence. 

Scheduling and Attendance 

VA or a VA-contracted provider will contact the veteran by mail or phone with exam details. Veterans should ensure their contact information is current. 

• Exams can be rescheduled if necessary, ideally with at least 48 hours’ notice. 

• Veterans may request a specific examiner gender for certain exams, including mental health and MST-related claims. 

• Missing an exam without notice can delay or negatively affect a claim. 

VA vs. Contracted Exams (QTC) 

C&P exams may be conducted at a VA Medical Center or by a private contractor such as QTC. The exam process itself is generally the same regardless of location. 

Differences are primarily related to scheduling, convenience, and personal comfort rather than exam standards or procedures. 

After the C&P Exam 

Once the exam is completed: 

• The examiner submits a report to VA. 

• VA reviews the report along with all other evidence in the claim file. 

• A decision letter is issued based on the totality of evidence. 

The examiner does not participate in the final decision and cannot provide claim status updates. 

Getting a Copy of the C&P Exam Results 

Veterans cannot obtain exam results directly from the provider. Instead, they must submit a Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act request using VA Form 20-10206. 

What If the Claim Is Denied After a Favorable Exam? 

A claim may still be denied even after a favorable C&P exam due to misinterpretation, conflicting evidence, or administrative error. 

Veterans can respond by: 

• Reviewing the decision letter carefully. 

• Filing a Notice of Disagreement within one year. 

• Submitting additional supporting evidence. 

• Requesting a Higher-Level Review or Supplemental Claim. 

• Appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if necessary. 

Disagreeing With a C&P Exam Experience 

If a veteran believes the exam was conducted improperly or inaccurately, concerns can be reported by: 

• Completing the contractor’s satisfaction survey. 

• Submitting a written statement with the claim. 

• Contacting the exam contractor. 

• Calling VA at 1-800-827-1000. 

Veterans may also submit a second medical opinion from a non-VA provider as additional evidence.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

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Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?

Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.

If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

C&P Exam Success: Tips to Know in Under 2 Minutes 

In this short vlog, Hill & Ponton senior attorney Shelly Mark breaks down how veterans can avoid some of the most common C&P exam pitfalls, starting with preparation.  

Before your exam, she recommends taking time to review the residuals the examiner will ask about, even the ones you might not think much about anymore. Many symptoms become part of daily life over time, which makes them easy to forget in the moment. Looking over the relevant DBQ beforehand can help you recognize and articulate those issues more clearly during the exam. 

Attorney Mark also emphasizes how important it is to be fully honest about how your condition affects your everyday functioning. This isn’t the time to minimize or brush off symptoms. The C&P exam is your opportunity to explain what daily life really looks like for you, including challenges with basic tasks like personal care, remembering medications, handling finances, or staying employed. The clearer you are, the better the examiner can document your limitations, which directly impacts how your claim is evaluated. 

“You really want the examiner to understand how these residuals are impacting you on a daily basis”, attorney Mark stresses. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!