ROAD TO 90%
Ben Fradsen’s Journey as an OTH Discharge Veteran with VetComm US
For many veterans, the fight doesn’t end when they take off the uniform. For Ben Fradsen, an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge veteran, that fight stretched on for years—marked by denial letters, unanswered claims, and the quiet frustration that so many veterans know all too well.
This is the story of how Ben went from 70% to 90% VA disability, reclaimed benefits he was told he didn’t deserve, and proved that with the right support, persistence pays off.
How We Got in Contact with Ben
Ben’s path crossed with VetComm after years of trying to navigate the VA system largely on his own. Like many veterans, especially those with an OTH discharge, Ben had already been conditioned to expect resistance.
He had filed claims before.
He had been denied before.
And like countless others, he had been made to feel like giving up was the easiest option.
But Ben didn’t give up—and when he connected with VetComm, the approach changed entirely.
Getting to Know Ben’s Story
Like many unrated veterans, Ben is not someone who lacked discipline, intelligence, or drive. In fact, his story is one of resilience on an extraordinary level.
Before ever seeking help, Ben exhausted nearly every option available to him. He filed claims, appealed decisions, and continued pushing forward despite repeated denials. Even with extensive medical documentation—including migraine treatments, participation in multiple clinical trials, ongoing medication, and formal accommodations—his claims were still denied time and time again.
After years of navigating the process alone, being told his conditions “weren’t severe enough,” Ben finally reached a point many veterans reach: he realized the issue wasn’t a lack of evidence, it was the lack of the right support.
That’s when VetComm stepped in.
Filing a New Claim: What Changed?
Instead of refiling blindly or repeating the same mistakes, VetComm took a strategic, evidence-driven approach.
What VetComm Did Differently:
Reviewed Ben’s full medical and service record
Identified where the VA was contradicting documented evidence
Built a clear paper trail that connected symptoms, diagnoses, and service
Filed the claim correctly the first time
When denied again, immediately pursued a Higher-Level Review
That Higher-Level Review changed everything.
In a decision letter dated just days later, Ben’s migraine rating was increased from 0% to 50%.
That single correction moved him from 70% to 90% overall disability.
Why Veterans Without Support Often Give Up
During the conversation, Ben shared a reality many veterans quietly live with:
“Veterans who don’t have support don’t feel heard. And after enough time being ignored, they start to believe that being ignored is just their lot in life.”
This is especially true for:
OTH discharge veterans
Veterans with mental health conditions like PTSD
Veterans who’ve been denied multiple times
The VA system often relies on fatigue, missed deadlines, confusion, and anxiety. Veterans often walk away—not because they don’t deserve benefits, but because the system wears them down.
VetComm exists to stop that cycle.
Raising Awareness for OTH Discharge Veterans
One of the most important aspects of Ben’s story is this:
An OTH discharge does NOT automatically disqualify a veteran from VA benefits.
Many OTH veterans are never told this.
They assume they have no options.
They never file—or stop filing altogether.
Ben’s success proves that OTH veterans can and do win claims when those claims are handled correctly.
More Than a Rating: Stability Changes Everything
Ben shared something critical toward the end of the conversation:
Receiving the correct VA rating didn’t just increase his compensation—it gave him stability.
That stability allowed him to:
Focus on healing instead of survival
Build a nonprofit to help others
Pursue education and creative projects
Become a public speaker and advocate
Benefits aren’t just money.
They are breathing room.
They are traction.
Watch Ben Fradsen Share His VA Disability Story
What Ben’s Story Means for Other Veterans
Ben is highly capable. Intelligent. Resilient. Motivated.
And he still needed help.
If you’re a veteran who is:
Underrated
Not rated at all
Sitting on old denials
Carrying an OTH discharge
Feeling stuck or worn down
You are not alone and your situation is not hopeless.
Final Takeaway
Ben’s road to 90% wasn’t about luck.
It was about strategy, persistence, and the right support.
If you’ve been told “no” before, that doesn’t mean the answer is final.
It means the approach needs to change.
If you’re seeking guidance with filing your VA claim, Contact us to get started. Today can be your turning point.
