🎖️ VALOR

Jessica Lynch: The Soldier Who Survived and Spoke the Truth 

Jessica Lynch was born on April 26, 1983, in Palestine, WV, a small town where she grew up with her parents, Greg and Deadra, and her siblings. She was known for her determination and quiet strength from a young age. After graduating from Wirt County High School in 2001, she joined the U.S. Army alongside her best friend, Lori Piestewa, seeking new opportunities and a chance to serve her country. Lynch trained as a supply clerk and was assigned to the 507th Maintenance Company in Fort Bliss, Texas.

In early 2003, Lynch deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On March 23 of that year, her convoy made a wrong turn near Nasiriyah and was ambushed by Iraqi forces. Her unit was overwhelmed, and several soldiers, including Piestewa, were killed in the firefight. Lynch was severely injured when her vehicle crashed, suffering multiple broken bones and spinal fractures before being captured and taken to an Iraqi hospital.

For nine days, she remained a prisoner of war, receiving limited medical care and being uncertain of her fate. On April 1, 2003, U.S. Special Operations Forces launched a daring nighttime rescue mission after receiving intelligence about her location. The raid, captured on night-vision video, marked the first successful rescue of an American POW during the Iraq War and made Lynch a national symbol of courage and survival.

After being airlifted to safety, Lynch underwent extensive surgeries and physical therapy to recover from her injuries. She was later awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal. Though the media portrayed her as a heroic fighter, Lynch later clarified that she had been knocked unconscious during the ambush and credited her fallen comrades for their bravery. Her honesty and humility earned widespread respect, as she used her platform to advocate for truth, veterans’ healthcare, and women in the military. 

Jessica Lynch was honorably discharged from the Army in 2003 and returned to West Virginia to rebuild her life. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education and became a motivational speaker, sharing her story of perseverance and integrity. Her legacy endures not just as a rescued POW, but as a reminder of the resilience of service members who face the unimaginable and continue to rise above it.

Honor veterans like Jessica Lynch and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

VA Disability for Depression Secondary to Chronic Pain 

Veterans living with chronic pain syndrome often experience serious mental health effects, including depressive disorder. When depression develops as a result of ongoing pain, it may qualify as a secondary service-connected condition for VA disability benefits. 

Understanding the Connection 

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting longer than six months. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), long-term pain can cause emotional stress, loss of mobility, and social isolation, leading many veterans to develop depression. The VA recognizes this link and allows veterans to claim depression as secondary to chronic pain. 

VA Ratings for Depression Secondary to Chronic Pain 

The VA rates depression based on occupational and social impairment, with percentages ranging from 0% to 100% depending on severity. Factors considered include: 

• The veteran’s ability to maintain relationships. 

• The veteran’s ability to perform daily activities. 

Filing a VA Claim 

To file a claim for depression secondary to chronic pain, veterans should: 

• Gather Medical Evidence: Include treatment records, medical opinions, and documentation showing how chronic pain led to depression. 

• Submit a Fully Developed Claim (FDC): This process allows all evidence to be submitted upfront, often speeding up the review. 

• Attend a C&P Exam: The VA may schedule an exam to assess the severity of depression and confirm its connection to chronic pain. 

Example of a Successful Claim 

In one case, a veteran with chronic pain provided: 

• Consistent medical records linking chronic pain and depression. 

• A nexus letter from a physician confirming that depression was caused by pain. 

• Statements from family members describing daily struggles and emotional changes. 

The VA approved the claim, awarding a combined disability rating that accounted for both physical and mental health effects. 

Tips for Veterans 

A strong claim depends on detailed medical documentation and clear evidence connecting depression to chronic pain. Veterans can also work with a VA-accredited representative to ensure their claim is fully supported and filed correctly. 

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

Secrets of the Mental Health DBQ 

In this video, Hill & Ponton video producer Nate Flemming sits down with Dr. Alexander Williams from the University of Kansas to walk veterans through the Mental Health Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), the form used for every mental disorder except PTSD and eating disorders, which have their own specialized forms.

Dr. Williams explains that this DBQ covers a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and panic disorder. While the accuracy of a veteran’s diagnosis is important for treatment, he clarifies that VA disability ratings are based on the level of occupational and social impairment, not the specific mental health diagnosis itself. 

They discuss how the form addresses secondary service connection, such as anxiety caused by service-connected tinnitus, and how examiners evaluate multiple diagnoses when symptoms overlap. Dr. Williams notes that it’s often difficult to separate which symptoms stem from which disorder, and examiners will record that when appropriate.

The conversation also highlights the social and occupational impairment section, which heavily influences disability ratings. The greater the impairment listed, the higher the potential rating, but the examiner’s role is only to document, not decide compensation. The VA rater ultimately determines the veteran’s percentage based on all evidence, not just the examiner’s opinion. 

Dr. Williams further explains the detailed questions during these exams, which cover family background, education, employment, behavior, and substance use history. These questions help determine whether symptoms developed or worsened because of military service. He stresses that the process can feel clinical but it is not therapy; the examiner’s goal is to collect information, not provide treatment. 

Regarding behavioral observations, veterans are advised to come as they are rather than trying to appear better than they feel. Honesty about hygiene, mood, and day-to-day struggles helps the examiner understand the full impact of the condition. Dr. Williams reassures viewers that financial competency or firearm ownership findings are rare and only raised in serious safety situations.  

He concludes by emphasizing that every examiner has their own approach, but all are required to gather the same information for the VA. Veterans can review the form beforehand and ask clarifying questions during the appointment. Dr. Williams can be reached at disabledveteranbenefits.com for those seeking independent evaluations. 

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!