When Daniel Inouye was discharged in May 1947, his right arm was gone, and his chest bore wounds that should have killed him. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team lieutenant had personally destroyed three German machine gun nests on a fortified ridge in Italy, shot through the stomach at 40 yards and still advancing, before a rifle grenade struck his right elbow and the blunt force tore his arm off at the joint.

The grenade hadn't even detonated. He pried it from his own severed hand, threw it into the bunker, and didn't lose consciousness until he was shot in the leg. Back stateside in full uniform, a barber in Oakland refused to cut his hair. "We don't cut Jap hair," he said.

The Medal of Honor Inouye had earned wouldn't reach him for another 55 years, his Distinguished Service Cross left unupgraded while the institutional machinery that had once classified him an "enemy alien" took its time correcting the record.

He eventually received it from President Clinton in 2000, alongside 19 other Asian American veterans of the 442nd. Some of them didn't live to see it. Even heroes sometimes have to fight the system twice.

Read Daniel Inouye's full story at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society below.

Are You Being Rated on Your Full Picture?

The VA often assigns ratings based on individual symptoms rather than on how multiple conditions compound. A veteran might receive 30% for depression, 20% for back pain, and 10% for tinnitus, but the combined impact on daily life could justify a much higher overall rating. The difference between 70% and 100% disability is more than $2,100 per month.

Secondary Conditions Can Change Everything

Many veterans don't realize their original service-connected injury may have triggered additional problems. Chronic back pain may lead to depression and sleep disorders. Hearing damage may cause anxiety in social situations. PTSD can manifest as digestive issues, headaches, and relationship problems. Each secondary condition deserves its own rating, provided it is properly documented and claimed. See what your rating could be worth when all conditions are properly evaluated.

Protected Ratings Give You Room to Push Back

Veterans who've held a rating for five years or more have protections most don't know about. The VA cannot reduce a protected rating without clear evidence of actual improvement, not just better paperwork. That means you can often pursue increases without risking what you already have.

Steps You Can Take Now

Learn More

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

This weekly livestream goes beyond Q&A. In addition to answering your questions about VA disability law and the claims process, our legal team now features more information about the claims process than ever before. Comments open 1 hour before the Livestream starts, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were you prescribed Dupixent (dupilumab) and later diagnosed with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)?

Recent studies have linked long-term Dupixent use to an increased risk of CTCL, a rare skin cancer. If you took Dupixent for at least one month and were diagnosed with CTCL—or a subtype like Mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome—after your first dose, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Find out if you qualify. The case review is free and confidential.

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

Protected ratings shield veterans from reductions while opening doors to increases, but the rules are more nuanced than most realize. This eleven-minute breakdown explains exactly when these protections kick in and how to use them strategically when pursuing higher ratings.

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!