🎖️ VALOR

From Migrant Worker to Medal of Honor: The Unbreakable Roy Benavidez 

Roy P. Benavidez was born on Aug. 5, 1935, in Lindenau, TX, to a family of Mexican and Yaqui Indian heritage. Orphaned by age seven, he and his brother found refuge with extended family in El Campo, TX. At just 15, Benavidez left school to support his family, spending long days picking cotton and sugar beets in the Texas fields. 

After working as a migrant farm laborer, Benavidez enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1952 and transitioned to active duty with the U.S. Army in 1955. His military journey took him from Korea to Germany, where he completed Military Police training and joined the elite 82nd Airborne Division.   

In 1965, Benavidez deployed to Vietnam as an advisor. During his first tour, a land mine explosion left doctors convinced he'd never walk again. Refusing to accept that verdict, he pushed through grueling rehabilitation and fought back to active duty. 

Then came May 2, 1968, the day that would define his legacy forever. 

Hearing a desperate distress call near Loc Ninh during his second Vietnam tour, Benavidez didn't hesitate. He voluntarily boarded a helicopter to rescue a Special Forces team surrounded by enemy combatants, beginning six hours of combat that would test every limit of human endurance. 

Despite taking rounds in the leg, face, and even the head, Benavidez refused to surrender to his wounds or abandon his fellow soldiers. He managed to pull many of his comrades to safety, direct air support while under intense enemy fire, and even recovered sensitive documents from casualties. His actions alone are credited with saving at least eight men. Initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, his bravery and valor were later recognized when he was presented the Medal of Honor by then-president Ronald Reagan in 1981. 

After his medical retirement in 1976, Roy Benavidez refused to fade quietly into civilian life. Instead, he turned his battle-tested grit into a mission of service beyond the uniform. He travelled the country, stepping into classrooms, drill halls, and community centers, not to talk about glory but about grit, the price of freedom, the value of persistence, and the duty of standing firm when everything in you wants to give up.   

Benavidez himself became the proof of his message. His scarred body and unbreakable should remind Americans that courage doesn’t end when you leave the service. It bleeds into how you live, what you teach, and the example you set. 

Beyond motivational speaking, Benavidez became a fierce advocate for veterans' rights, using his platform to ensure fellow servicemen and women received the recognition and care they'd earned. 

Roy Benavidez passed away on Nov. 29, 1998, but his legacy of extraordinary heroism and dedication to his brothers-in-arms inspires new generations of Americans.

Honor veterans like Roy Benavidez and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Urinary Incontinence and VA Disability Benefits 

Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control that can range from mild leakage to frequent, urgent episodes. For veterans, this condition is often service-connected as a secondary disability, linked to issues such as spinal injuries, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease. 

Why It Matters for VA Disability 

The VA recognizes urinary incontinence as a ratable condition because of its impact on daily life and overall health. Ratings are based on severity, frequency, and the need for absorbent materials or medical devices. Accurately documenting these factors can differentiate between a low rating and full compensation. 

How the VA Rates Urinary Incontinence 

Voiding Dysfunction (use of absorbent materials): 

• 20%: Pads changed less than twice per day 

• 40%: Pads changed 2–4 times per day 

• 60%: Pads changed more than 4 times per day or use of a medical appliance 

Urinary Frequency: 

• 10%: Daytime voiding every 2–3 hours or waking twice nightly 

• 20%: Daytime voiding every 1–2 hours or waking 3–4 times nightly 

• 40%: Daytime voiding less than once per hour or waking 5+ times nightly 

Obstructed Voiding: 

• 0%: Occasional dilatation 1–2 times per year 

• 10%: Hesitancy, weak stream, or UTIs due to obstruction 

• 30%: Catheterization required 

Building a Strong Claim 

• File urinary incontinence as secondary to your service-connected condition. 

• Provide medical records linking the condition to your disability. 

• Submit a statement (VA Form 21-4138) documenting pad use, accidents, and daily challenges. 

• Ask your spouse, roommate, or caregiver to provide a buddy statement confirming your symptoms. 

Key Takeaway 

Urinary incontinence is common among veterans but often overlooked in claims. You can secure the VA rating you deserve by clearly documenting severity, frequency, and impact. Don’t minimize your symptoms, accurate reporting ensures fair compensation and recognition of how this condition affects your life.

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

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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

Urinary Incontinence and VA Disability Benefits

In this informative video, Hill & Ponton Attorney Rachel Cheek explains how VA rates urinary dysfunction disabilities. Attorney Cheek clarifies that VA treats urinary dysfunction and kidney problems as separate conditions. Kidney issues are assessed through lab results, while urinary dysfunction is rated based on symptoms.

Attorney Cheek explains that VA does not assign separate ratings for both urinary frequency and incontinence. Instead, your symptoms are rated, and only the higher rating applies. This means VA must look at all the evidence and give you the rating that most accurately reflects the more severe of your symptoms.

For instance, if someone reports waking up several times to urinate each night but also needs to change absorbent materials four or more times per day, VA will base the rating on the absorbent material requirement, since that is the more severe symptom. In such a situation, the veteran should be rated at 60%.

Because of this, it is crucial to list every symptom you experience, whether it is nighttime frequency, urgency, or the need for absorbent pads, so the VA can correctly determine which rating level you qualify for. Leaving symptoms out can result in a lower rating than you deserve.

Attorney Cheek notes that veterans requiring suprapubic catheters qualify for a 100% rating under a separate diagnostic code. She also encourages veterans with frequent nighttime urination to apply for additional sleep impairment ratings.

This detailed breakdown helps veterans understand the VA's evaluation criteria and advocate effectively for appropriate disability ratings based on their specific symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.

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!