🎖️ VALOR

Chris Kyle: The American Sniper 

Christopher Scott Kyle was born April 8, 1974, in Odessa, TX, and grew up in a family shaped by hard work and the outdoors. His father bought him his first rifle when he was eight, and Kyle spent his early years hunting and helping raise cattle alongside his younger brother, Jeff. After graduating high school in Midlothian, TX, in 1992, he chased a rough-and-tumble path as a professional bronco rider and ranch hand until a serious arm injury forced him to pivot. He attended Tarleton State University for two years, studying Ranch and Range Management.

Kyle first approached a Marine recruiting office but was directed by a Navy recruiter toward the SEALs. He enlisted in the Navy on Aug. 5, 1998, completed basic training in 1999, and earned a BUD/S slot in Coronado, California, despite concerns over pins in his arm. He graduated with BUD/S Class 233 in March 2001, completed SEAL Qualification Training that summer, and joined SEAL Team 3's sniper element.

Across four tours in Iraq, Kyle became known for steady overwatch under pressure in the war’s most dangerous urban fights. He received awards for valor and combat, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars with “V” device, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals with “V” device, among other honors. His service made a lasting impact on those he supported and protected, especially the units below his position. 

After leaving the Navy in 2009, Kyle returned to Texas with his wife, Taya, and their two children. He stayed connected to the military community through training and veteran-focused efforts, including supporting programs that provided fitness equipment and coaching to veterans and families in need. In 2012, he published American Sniper, a memoir that brought his story to a national audience and spent 37 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. A film adaptation, American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, was released the following year.

On Feb. 2, 2013, Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were tragically shot and killed at a shooting range near Chalk Mountain, Texas, by Eddie Ray Routh, a former Marine. Routh had been in and out of mental hospitals for years and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the case became a grim reminder of how badly things can go when serious mental illness and unresolved trauma collide. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.  

Kyle’s legacy remains closely tied to his years of service, and it isn’t just the battlefield record; it’s the full arc: Iraq tours, combat decorations, American Sniper putting his story in front of the country, and a real effort to stay involved with veterans afterward. 

Honor veterans like Chris Kyle and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Filing Claims for Secondary Conditions 

Secondary disabilities might not be the first thing you think of when filing a claim, but they are often the key to getting the full compensation you deserve. 

To put it succinctly, a secondary disability is a new or pre-existing condition that was caused or made worse by an injury already linked to your service. Because these secondary issues can sometimes be more severe than the original injury, they can significantly impact your overall rating. 

How VA Categories Work 

There are two main ways VA looks at these connections: 

• Direct Secondary Connection: This is when your service-connected illness directly leads to another problem. For instance, if you have service-connected diabetes that eventually causes high blood pressure or vision loss, those new issues are secondary. 

• Connection by Aggravation: This is slightly different. It applies when a primary disability worsens an unrelated condition. A common example is having a service-connected foot injury that forces you to walk differently, which then severely aggravates a back condition that wasn't originally caused by your service. 

What You Need to Win Your Claim 

Winning a secondary claim requires more than just a hunch; you need a clear paper trail. To have the best shot at success, VA generally looks for these three things:

• Primary Diagnosis: You must have an existing disability that VA has already service-connected and acknowledged in your records. 

• Current Diagnosis: You need a formal diagnosis for the new or aggravated condition. You cannot file based on the possibility of getting sick; the condition must be active. 

• Nexus Letter: A medical professional must provide a statement that officially links the two conditions, explaining exactly how the first one caused or worsened the second. 

Filing and Strengthening Your Case 

If you notice new symptoms or your doctor mentions you are developing a related issue, it is time to start gathering evidence. While you can start the process while seeking a diagnosis, having those medical records ready will make everything go much faster.

Keep in mind that if your secondary condition isn't one of the VA conditions typically associated with your primary injury, you will need a very strong nexus letter and possibly some medical studies to back you up.

Also, remember that if a condition is genetic, you can only claim that your service-connected injury made it worse, not that it caused it. 

Staying on top of your treatment and keeping your representative in the loop is the best way to avoid simple mistakes that can lead to long delays. 

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

Attorney Insight on VA Claims for Tinnitus 

In this video blog, Hill & Ponton principal attorneys Brian Hill and Carol Ponton explain what it really takes to win a VA tinnitus claim. While many veterans recognize tinnitus as persistent ringing in the ears, attorney Ponton emphasizes that success hinges on clearly linking the condition to military service.

The attorneys note that during a compensation and pension exam, VA looks for specific details. Veterans should be ready to explain when and how the ringing began, ideally tying it to a distinct in-service event. Attorney Ponton shares an example of a veteran who linked the onset to a specific explosion at a bridge site, making service connection far easier to establish.

They also offer a reality check on ratings, that being how tinnitus is capped at 10 percent, whether it affects one ear or both, and appealing beyond that is usually unnecessary.

However, veterans with severe symptoms may have another path forward. If tinnitus causes secondary conditions like depression or anxiety, those mental health issues can be rated separately, potentially as high as 70 or 100 percent.  

Attorney Ponton notes that success here requires medical evidence from a qualified professional showing how tinnitus has affected mental health. 

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!