🎖️ VALOR

Tammy Duckworth: The Black Hawk Pilot Who Brought the Battle for Veteran’s Rights to Washington  

Ladda Tammy Duckworth’s journey is one of international roots, unflinching service, profound sacrifice, and enduring public impact. Born on March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand, she was raised across Southeast Asia and Hawaii as the daughter of a US military veteran father and a Thai Chinese mother. From her upbringing in global settings, attending international schools in Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta, and later moving to Honolulu as a teenager, Duckworth developed fluency in multiple languages and an awareness of diverse cultures that would shape her commitment to service and leadership.

After finishing university with a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Hawaii and a master’s in international affairs from George Washington University, she entered military service, inspired in part by a family legacy of service. She joined the US Army Reserve in 1992, later shifting into the Illinois Army National Guard as a helicopter pilot. Duckworth was among the first women to fly combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In November 2004, during her deployment to Iraq, the Black Hawk helicopter she was piloting was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by insurgents. The impact severely damaged both her legs and much of her right arm. Despite these grievous injuries, she displayed remarkable composure by controlling the aircraft and protecting her crew. Evacuated in critical condition, she began a long recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. For her sacrifice and courage, she was awarded the Purple Heart and other distinctions, later rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring from military service in 2014.

What followed her military service is a legacy in public policy and veteran advocacy, breaking many barriers along the way. Duckworth first worked in state-level veterans affairs in Illinois, then moved into a federal role in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eventually, she entered elected office: two terms in the US House and, from 2017 onward, the US Senate. She is the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee from the Iraq War, and the first US Senator born in Thailand.

Throughout her career, Duckworth has consistently championed veterans’ rights, disability issues, and inclusion, bringing the perspective of someone who has deeply felt the cost of service into every role she has held. Her impact has been tangible as she has influenced legislation and built institutions that improve care and representation for service members and veterans.

Tammy Duckworth’s story shows how a life shaped by international roots, a family tradition of service, and personal resilience led her from the skies over Iraq to the halls of Congress. Her sacrifice in combat and her refusal to step back afterward have made her both a symbol and an advocate for veterans and Americans with disabilities. Whether piloting helicopters in war or shaping national policy, she has carried forward the same determination, leaving a legacy of courage, leadership, and public service.

Honor veterans like Tammy Duckworth and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

How to Get 100% VA Disability Rating Benefits 

A 100% service-connected VA disability rating is the highest rating available and provides the maximum level of monthly compensation and benefits. VA may assign a 100% rating for a single, extremely severe condition or for multiple service-connected disabilities that, when combined, severely limit daily functioning. 

Some veterans qualify automatically based on diagnosis, while others reach 100% through combined ratings or unemployability. 

Disabilities That Consistently Qualify for a 100% Rating 

Certain conditions almost always meet the criteria for a 100% VA disability rating, including: 

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 

• Loss of use of both feet. 

• Loss of use of both hands. 

• Loss of use of one hand and one foot. 

• Anatomical loss of both eyes or permanent total blindness. 

• Paraplegia or quadriplegia. 

Depending on severity, VA may also award a 100% rating for: 

• Severe spinal cord injuries with paralysis or major mobility loss. 

• Advanced Parkinson’s disease with cognitive or physical decline. 

• Advanced degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and inability to work or walk. 

• Congestive heart failure with metabolic equivalents score (METs) of 3.0 or less. 

• Severe lung disease requiring oxygen or showing very low pulmonary function scores. 

• Severe mental health conditions, including psychotic disorders or major depressive disorder with persistent suicidal ideation and inability to function independently. 

In some cases, VA may designate the rating as Permanent and Total (P&T), while in others it may require future exams. 

Using Combined Ratings to Reach 100% 

Many veterans reach 100% through multiple disabilities rather than a single condition. VA uses a “whole person” formula, not simple addition, meaning each new rating builds on what remains of overall functioning. 

Examples commonly include combinations of: 

• PTSD with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. 

• Traumatic brain injury residuals with seizures, depression, and vertigo. 

• Gulf War–related conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and IBS. 

Ways to Receive Compensation at the 100% Level 

There are two primary paths: 

• Schedular 100% rating: A single condition or combined conditions reaching 100% under VA’s rating system. 

• TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability): Pays at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions prevent substantially gainful employment, even if the combined rating is lower. 

Building a Strong 100% VA Claim 

Veterans pursuing a 100% rating should focus on: 

• Comprehensive medical records showing severity and progression. 

• Nexus opinions linking conditions to service. 

• Personal statements explaining day-to-day limitations. 

• Filing claims for additional service-connected conditions when appropriate. 

• Staying consistent with medical treatment and follow-ups. 

Appeals, Reviews, and Ongoing Rights 

VA may deny or underrate claims, but veterans have options, including Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board appeals. VA can also reduce a rating if it believes a condition has improved, and veterans have the right to challenge that decision with new evidence. 

A 100% rating or entitlement to TDIU also unlocks additional benefits beyond monthly compensation, including full VA health care, housing and loan advantages, retirement pay coordination, and access to base privileges and state-level benefits.

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

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us every Tuesday at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

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

How Do You Get Unemployability While Working? 

Hill & Ponton attorneys Stacey Clark and Ursula Mecabe recently sat down to clarify one of the most confusing aspects of TDIU: what VA actually means by "substantially gainful employment." As Attorney Clark points out, if you can’t maintain a steady job, you might be eligible for the 100% pay rate. However, there is a big catch. VA doesn't count "marginal employment" as gainful work, and this distinction is often where these claims are won or lost. 

So, how does VA define marginal employment? Attorney Mecabe explains that the easiest way to look at it is through your wallet. If your earnings fall below the federal poverty line, VA generally considers that work marginal. In these instances, your Social Security records are your best friend. 

But she is also quick to mention that income isn't the only factor. You can still qualify for TDIU while making more money if you work in a "sheltered" or "protected" environment. These are jobs with special accommodations that you just wouldn’t find in a typical competitive workplace.

One thing both attorneys want you to keep in mind is that this aspect of the law remains somewhat unclear. There is no single, perfect definition of a protected work environment, so results can vary from case to case. They also stress that TDIU isn't a "set it and forget it" benefit. 

VA keeps a close eye on your earnings and might try to cut off benefits if your income looks too high. Their best advice is to stay on top of your paperwork, answer every VA request, and never assume your status is permanent. 

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!