Terms and Conditions | Honor Claims

01Parties and version

These Terms are between Honor Claims LLC, operating as Honor Claims through honorclaims.ai (Company), and the Client identified in the signed Service Agreement. Honor Claims LLC is a separate legal entity. The Agreement records the effective date and incorporated Terms and MBG Policy versions.

02Agreement documents

The Agreement consists of the Service Agreement, the dated Terms, the dated Money-Back Guarantee Policy, and any schedules expressly incorporated into the signed Agreement. Each party receives a retainable copy. A later amendment controls only the provisions it expressly changes. Otherwise, the Service Agreement controls specific purchased services and fees, the MBG Policy controls guarantee eligibility and refunds, and these Terms govern remaining matters.

03Scope of services

Honor Claims provides a fixed educational and support package covering intent to file, VA claims procedures, document-completion requirements and mechanics (not the substance of the client's statements), filing options, and C&P examination preparation. Honor Claims does not provide legal representation, submit claims, determine medical findings, or dictate the substance of client evidence. Independent medical services are separate from this package. The medical-services package is identified by the preferred provider network, currently through Stern Healthworks. The medical package agreed at signing is protected; provider substitutions must supply equivalent services at no added cost.

Educational support is available through [email protected] and the educational appointments or resources included in the signed Agreement. No unlimited individual appointments or continuous case management is promised. The independent medical provider network's current purchase terms govern the medical package's clinical services, provider credentials, service descriptions, prices, appointments and professional consent. Honor Claims' guarantee and approved-refund credit obligations remain governed by these Terms; they do not amend the provider's separate clinical agreement.

04Nonaccreditation and representation

Honor Claims is not VA-accredited and does not represent you before the VA. Honor Claims does not act as your attorney, accredited agent, or VSO representative. You retain control of your claim. Honor Claims does not submit claims or communicate with the VA on your behalf. Educational materials do not replace advice from a qualified legal or medical professional.

05VA independence and free alternatives

Honor Claims is independent of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not control VA decisions or processing. You may apply directly to the VA and may obtain free claims assistance from an accredited Veterans Service Organization. Purchasing Honor Claims services is optional.

13Fees: no contingency or success fee

The Service Agreement states the fixed total price and any agreed payment schedule. Honor Claims does not charge a contingency fee, a success fee, a percentage of back pay, or a percentage or multiple of increased monthly benefits. The amount charged does not rise because you receive a favorable VA decision. Payment is subject to the express cancellation and MBG refund provisions.

Prices are $1,250 paid in full at signing, three monthly installments of $585 ($1,755 total), or six monthly installments of $335 ($2,010 total). The independent medical-services package is separate and is not included in the $1,250 educational and support fee.

14Payment authorization

Only agreed amounts and billing dates are authorized. To qualify for MBG, the entire $1,250 must be paid at signing. Payment-plan purchases never qualify, even after payoff.

For payment plans, the first installment is due at signing; remaining installments are due monthly on that anniversary date, using the last day of a month that lacks that date. A 30-calendar-day grace period applies to each overdue installment. After it expires, access may be suspended until payment is current and a one-time late charge of 5% of that overdue installment, or the lower maximum permitted by applicable law, applies. No fee is charged during the grace period; no recurring late fee is imposed on the same installment. The late fee must be disclosed in the signed Agreement. The 365-day service window continues during suspension. Future installments remain due on their original schedule; the balance is not accelerated solely because an installment is overdue. Stopping participation does not cancel remaining installments.

15Third-party costs

The client is responsible for charges for independently obtained medical opinions, evaluations, examinations, DBQs, diagnostic testing, records, therapy, and related clinical services, except services expressly identified as included in the signed Agreement.

These charges are separate from Honor Claims’ service fee and are not reimbursed under the MBG. Payment does not guarantee a favorable diagnosis, opinion, DBQ, VA decision, or MBG eligibility.

The client must confirm the provider’s qualifications, price, scope of services, and refund terms before purchase. Any expressly promised cost disclosures by Honor Claims remain required.

Responsibility for any refund from an independent provider remains governed by that provider’s purchase terms and applicable law. Honor Claims must identify included or excluded third-party services before purchase.

The veteran also pays all attorney assessment and appeal costs. An approved refund may instead be voluntarily elected as preferred-provider credit under Section 60; this is use of the approved refund, not reimbursement of prior independent expenses.

16Cancellation and ordinary refunds

No voluntary cancellation refund is provided, including before services or access begin. Refunds remain available under the express MBG and where required by applicable law. A client may stop participating, but payment-plan installments remain due as the agreed fixed purchase price. Death or illness alone creates no separate refund entitlement; an already-earned refund remains payable. Illness-related pauses require a written agreement signed by both parties.

29Service term and termination

Regular service access and support last 365 calendar days beginning when the Agreement is signed. Payment suspension does not pause or extend that period. Regular services end at its expiration, but an otherwise valid MBG continues under Section 22. A client may stop participation by written notice without cancelling remaining fixed-price installments. Loss of MBG does not alone end regular services remaining in that period. Honor Claims may restrict performance for substantiated material breach or unlawful conduct subject to applicable law and the specific payment, participation and termination provisions.

19MBG outcome and refund promise

The MBG is fulfilled when an official VA decision received after signing grants any new service connection (including 0%), increases any individual service-connected rating or the combined rating, or grants a new or increased Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) award. No minimum combined-rating or monthly-payment increase is required. The award need not relate to a condition in the Honor Claims program: unrelated and previously pending claims count. Temporary rating increases also count, including awards with a scheduled end date. An unchanged existing 0% rating is not a new connection or increase.

If no qualifying success occurs and the remaining MBG requirements and completion rules are met, the refund base is $1,250, subject to the existing Section 48 policy-change reductions. No payment-processing deduction applies. After approval, the veteran may elect cash, eligible preferred-provider credit or a combination under Section 60. A fourth attempt remains subject to the separate signed waiver in Section 43.

17MBG activation

The MBG is activated by satisfaction of the published contractual criteria and the client's acknowledgment, without discretionary preapproval. At signing, the client must have separated from active duty, have documented Honorable discharges for all completed periods, have a combined VA rating below 80% or no existing rating, not receive TDIU, and pay the entire $1,250. Payment plans never qualify after payoff. Apply the same general condition, evidence and participation requirements to all otherwise eligible starting ratings below 80%. Conditions and evidence must meet their applicable pre-submission requirements; activation does not waive them.

18MBG rating tiers

Starting combined VA rating and TDIU status are measured when the Agreement is signed. Veterans starting at 80% combined or above, or receiving TDIU, are excluded from MBG but may purchase services. Otherwise eligible unrated clients and clients below 80% use the same requirements; there are no additional 0%, 10%–70% or 80% candidate eligibility pathways. A later award is evaluated under Section 19's success definition.

06Client eligibility

You must be at least 18, have legal capacity to contract, and use services lawfully. Services are available to veterans of all discharge types, subject to lawful availability. The MBG requires separation from active duty before signing and documented Honorable discharges for every completed service period at signing. General (Under Honorable Conditions) is not Honorable for this policy. An agreement signed before separation does not later become MBG-eligible; a discharge upgrade after signing does not create eligibility. These are contractual requirements, not VA benefit-eligibility determinations.

20MBG qualifying attempt

A qualifying attempt is a comprehensive, good-faith filing cycle covering all reasonably identifiable conditions or issues with factual support and evidence sufficient for the appropriate VA route at that time. Do not deliberately separate ready, supported conditions solely to accumulate attempts. Unsupported or speculative conditions need not be claimed. Required submissions under different procedural routes may form one documented cycle rather than separate attempts. For MBG eligibility, the cycle must also satisfy Sections 46–47, subject to the policy-change exception in Section 48. The five-condition threshold is an MBG condition, not a minimum number required to submit a VA claim.

Every condition affirmatively claimed in a required MBG attempt must satisfy the medical-evidence requirements, not only the five counted toward the minimum. A diagnosis merely mentioned in records is not a submitted condition. Maintaining five compliant conditions does not excuse a deficient additional submitted condition. The express policy-change exceptions and pending-review protections continue to apply.

All submitted conditions must be decided and all required HLRs completed before an unsuccessful attempt is complete. Deferred issues keep it open. HLR after a denied attempt is part of that attempt, not an additional attempt. Documented unavailability of HLR for a particular decision waives only that decision's HLR requirement. Other attempt requirements remain.

After three unsuccessful qualifying attempts, obtain an assessment by a qualified VA-accredited attorney. If the attorney documents that no supported further claim or appeal remains, the required process is complete. If the attorney recommends a supported Board appeal, pursue it through a Board of Veterans' Appeals decision addressing all appealed issues; filing alone is insufficient and a remand keeps the process pending. A Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims appeal is not required. An earlier attorney assessment is allowed when fewer than three qualifying attempts are supportable; a written assessment confirming no supported further claim or appeal remains permits refund review after available qualifying attempts. A supported Board appeal remains required under the same rule.

If no attorney is available for the required assessment or representation despite documented efforts with three qualified VA-accredited attorneys, the remaining attorney and Board-appeal requirements are waived. Give each attorney enough information to evaluate the request. A written decline counts immediately; an unanswered inquiry counts after 30 calendar days with at least one documented follow-up. Retain the inquiries, supplied information, replies and follow-ups. A VSO fallback is not required for this exception. The veteran pays all assessment and appeal costs under separate attorney arrangements; those costs are excluded from the Honor Claims refund.

42Completed cycles and pending issues

An unsuccessful qualifying cycle completes only when all submitted conditions are decided and all required HLRs are finished; deferred issues and pending HLRs keep it open. Documented HLR unavailability waives only that decision's HLR obligation. Separate forms or decisions within one cycle do not create extra attempts. A qualifying success fulfills MBG without needing further unsuccessful cycles. The five-condition requirement continues under Sections 46–48; there is no general single-condition exception.

21MBG evidence requirements

The requirements titled “MBG Medical Evidence, Provider Qualifications, and Claims-File Requirements” govern every condition submitted in a required MBG attempt. They specify diagnosis currency and continuity, supported favorable opinions, adverse findings, provider qualifications, third-attempt DBQs, records retrieval and costs. A private opinion is an MBG requirement even for a presumptive pathway; a claim for increase requires a supported increase opinion rather than re-establishing existing service connection. HLRs use the existing record and do not require new evidence solely for that review.

The specific Initial PTSD DBQ exception applies: no independently obtained nonpublic Initial PTSD DBQ is required. The private diagnosis and favorable opinion remain required before submission; applicable VA examiner confirmation may occur during processing. The exception does not waive the complete, updated C-file requirement before a subsequent attempt.

46Five qualifying conditions — evidence and severity

To preserve Money-Back Guarantee eligibility, your first qualifying submission must include a written list of at least five distinct qualifying conditions, each independently meeting every applicable MBG requirement.

Each condition counted toward MBG eligibility must independently satisfy every applicable qualifying-condition requirement in this Agreement, including the required diagnosis, medical evidence, provider qualifications, nexus opinion, and documented severity supporting the applicable compensable rating or increase. These requirements apply equally to original conditions, additional original conditions, and substitutions. Merely identifying or submitting a condition does not make it qualifying. Only conditions meeting these requirements count toward the five-condition minimum or the remaining-condition count used to calculate a policy-change reduction.

For a condition not yet service-connected: Medical evidence must support an evaluation of at least 10% under the applicable diagnostic code and rating criteria in 38 C.F.R. Part 4, using the criteria in effect at submission. If the lowest compensable evaluation under the applicable code exceeds 10%, the evidence must support that higher minimum.

For an already service-connected condition claimed for increase: Medical evidence must support an evaluation higher than the condition’s existing individual rating. An existing compensable rating alone does not satisfy this requirement.

Supporting documentation: The records must document the symptoms, clinical findings, functional limitations, or treatment requirements supporting the applicable evaluation. A separate supporting summary may identify the diagnostic code and explain how the documented findings meet its criteria. Medical records need not quote the regulation verbatim.

A diagnosis alone, an unsupported percentage estimate, or repetition of rating criteria without supporting clinical evidence is insufficient. Evidence supporting one condition cannot satisfy the requirements for another condition.

Counting distinct qualifying conditions: For this contractual five-condition minimum, conditions affecting one limb count together as one; left and right limbs may count separately if each independently qualifies. Cervical and thoracolumbar spinal conditions may count separately, but nerve conditions associated with a spinal condition count with that underlying spinal condition. All mental-health diagnoses count together as one. Hearing loss and tinnitus count together as one. Distinct diagnoses within the same body system may otherwise count separately when each independently meets all requirements. These counting groups do not waive evidence requirements for any separately claimed issue and do not determine how VA rates disabilities.

Effect on services and the guarantee: These requirements apply only to MBG eligibility. You may continue receiving services and pursue claims involving fewer than five qualifying conditions or conditions that do not meet this threshold.

This evidence threshold does not determine or promise the rating VA will assign. A new service connection rated at 0% still satisfies the Agreement’s defined MBG success outcome, even though the evidence required for entry must support a compensable evaluation.

The diagnosis requirement includes both the 12-month currency and 36-month diagnostic-continuity standards in Section 49, including its problem-list exclusion and pending-review rules. These standards apply independently to every counted original, additional, or substitute condition.

49Current diagnosis, diagnostic continuity and historical supporting facts

1. Requirement for each qualifying condition

Each condition counted toward MBG eligibility must independently satisfy the diagnosis, continuity, and documentation requirements below. These requirements apply equally to original conditions, additional original conditions, and substitutions.

Meeting this section alone does not establish eligibility. Each condition must also satisfy all other applicable MBG requirements, including provider qualifications, nexus evidence, and documented severity.

2. Current diagnosis within 12 months before submission

Each qualifying condition must have a documented diagnosis established or expressly reaffirmed by a provider meeting the Agreement’s applicable qualification and licensing requirements.

The assessment establishing or reaffirming that diagnosis must occur within the 12 calendar months immediately preceding each applicable initial, supplemental, or increased-rating claim submission used toward a required MBG attempt. The assessment and its documentation must exist before submission.

The submission date is the date shown on the VA receipt or other reliable submission confirmation.

3. Diagnostic continuity — no gap exceeding 36 months

Beginning with the first documented diagnosis, the condition must be maintained in the clinical record through dated provider assessments establishing or expressly reaffirming that the diagnosis remains applicable. No interval between qualifying assessments may exceed 36 calendar months.

A recent reaffirmation does not, by itself, cure an earlier gap exceeding 36 months. Records produced later may establish that a qualifying assessment actually occurred during an apparent gap. A retrospective statement alone does not replace a missing assessment.

For a recently diagnosed condition, the continuity period begins with its first documented diagnosis. Three years of diagnostic history is not required before submission. A new provider, revised diagnostic label, or newly issued record does not, by itself, restart the continuity period for the same underlying condition.

4. What constitutes a qualifying assessment

A dated, signed or electronically authenticated clinical record must identify the condition and show that the provider assessed it and confirmed that the diagnosis remains applicable.

Reaffirmation may occur during an appropriate examination, follow-up visit, or documented clinical review sufficient for the provider to make that determination. A new diagnostic test is not required solely to satisfy this provision unless medically necessary to establish or reaffirm the diagnosis.

A condition’s appearance on a medical problem list is not sufficient, even if the list was recently updated. A separate documented clinical assessment must establish or expressly reaffirm the diagnosis. A billing code, copied diagnosis, or client-reported history alone also does not satisfy this requirement.

5. Historical supporting facts

The original diagnosis, service event, exposure, symptoms, treatment history, and other supporting facts may date from the beginning of military service onward. They need not have arisen within the preceding 12 months.

Historical facts may be documented or medically evaluated later, provided the evidence identifies their factual basis and satisfies the applicable MBG pathway. Later documentation of historical facts does not substitute for the qualifying assessments required by the 36-month continuity rule.

This section does not require the condition to have first been diagnosed during service. It does not independently establish a connection to service or replace the required provider nexus opinion, which must be obtained and documented before the applicable submission. Relevant pre-service records must still be disclosed when required under the Agreement.

6. Pending claims, reviews, and later submissions

A diagnosis that satisfied these requirements at submission does not become untimely solely because VA processing or an associated review remains pending. An HLR or Board appeal of that submission does not, by itself, restart the 12-month requirement or require submission of evidence that the selected review process does not permit.

Before a later initial, supplemental, or increased-rating claim submission, the condition must again satisfy both the 36-month diagnostic-continuity requirement and the 12-month diagnosis-currency requirement.

7. Documentation and determination

The client must identify the supporting clinical records, assessment dates, providers, and submission confirmation for each counted condition. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted.

Any determination that this section was not satisfied must identify the affected condition, the specific deficiency—including any assessment gap or untimely assessment—and the supporting records or missing documentation. Documentation supplementation and disputed determinations are governed by the Agreement’s refund-review and dispute-resolution procedures.

8. Effect on MBG eligibility and services

These are Honor Claims MBG requirements, not requirements for permission to submit a VA claim.

A condition that does not satisfy this section cannot count toward the required five qualifying conditions. The resulting effect on MBG eligibility is governed by the Agreement’s continuing-eligibility and policy-change provisions. Failure to meet this section does not, by itself, terminate services during the remaining contractual service period.

50MBG Medical Evidence, Provider Qualifications, and Claims-File Requirements

1. Five-condition minimum; every submitted condition must comply

To preserve MBG eligibility, the client must maintain at least five distinct qualifying conditions through the required attempts, subject to the Agreement’s express policy-change substitution and reduced-refund provisions.

Every condition submitted as part of a required MBG attempt must independently satisfy all applicable medical-evidence requirements for that attempt. If five conditions are submitted, all five must comply. If eight are submitted, all eight must comply. Meeting the five-condition minimum does not excuse missing evidence or another unmet requirement for an additional submitted condition.

A submitted condition means a condition affirmatively included as a claimed issue in a submission constituting a required MBG attempt. A condition merely mentioned in supporting medical records is not, for that reason alone, a submitted condition.

For this contractual five-condition minimum, conditions affecting one limb count together as one; left and right limbs may count separately if each independently qualifies. Cervical and thoracolumbar spinal conditions may count separately, but nerve conditions associated with a spinal condition count with that underlying spinal condition. All mental-health diagnoses count together as one. Hearing loss and tinnitus count together as one. Distinct diagnoses within the same body system may otherwise count separately when each independently meets all requirements. These counting groups do not waive evidence requirements for any separately claimed issue and do not determine how VA rates disabilities.

These are Honor Claims MBG requirements, not prerequisites for permission to submit a VA claim. The client may pursue claims without satisfying them, but doing so does not preserve MBG eligibility. Loss of MBG eligibility does not, by itself, terminate services during the remaining contractual service period.

2. Current diagnosis and diagnostic continuity

Every submitted condition must have a documented diagnosis established or expressly reaffirmed by a provider meeting the applicable qualifications and licensing requirements.

The assessment must occur within the 12 calendar months immediately preceding the applicable initial, supplemental, or increased-rating claim submission. The assessment and its documentation must exist before submission.

Beginning with the first documented diagnosis, no interval between qualifying provider assessments may exceed 36 calendar months. Each assessment must establish or expressly reaffirm that the diagnosis remains applicable.

A recent reaffirmation does not cure an earlier gap exceeding 36 months. Records produced later may establish that a qualifying assessment actually occurred during an apparent gap; a retrospective statement alone does not replace a missing assessment.

For a recently diagnosed condition, continuity begins with its first documented diagnosis. Three years of diagnostic history is not required. A new provider, revised diagnostic label, or newly issued record does not, by itself, restart the continuity period for the same underlying condition.

3. What constitutes a qualifying assessment

A dated, signed or electronically authenticated clinical record must identify the condition and show that the provider assessed it and confirmed that the diagnosis remains applicable.

Reaffirmation may occur during an appropriate examination, follow-up visit, or documented clinical review sufficient for the provider to make that determination. New diagnostic testing is not required solely for reaffirmation unless medically necessary.

A condition’s appearance on a medical problem list is not sufficient, even if the list was recently updated. A separate documented clinical assessment is required. A billing code, copied diagnosis, or client-reported history alone is also insufficient.

4. Historical supporting facts and severity

Historical facts may be documented or medically evaluated later if the evidence identifies their factual basis. Later documentation does not replace the qualifying assessments required to establish diagnostic continuity.

A diagnosis during military service is not required by this general provision. Relevant pre-service records must still be disclosed when required, and condition-specific eligibility requirements remain applicable.

For a condition not yet service-connected, medical evidence must support at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code and rating criteria in 38 C.F.R. Part 4 in effect at submission. If the lowest compensable evaluation exceeds 10%, the evidence must support that higher minimum.

For an already service-connected condition claimed for increase, medical evidence must support an evaluation higher than its existing individual rating.

Records must document relevant symptoms, findings, functional limitations, or treatment requirements. A diagnosis alone, unsupported percentage estimate, or repetition of rating language without supporting clinical evidence is insufficient.

This evidence threshold does not promise the rating VA will assign. A new service connection rated at 0% still satisfies the Agreement’s defined MBG success outcome.

5. Favorable medical opinion required before submission

For every submitted condition for which service connection is sought, the client must obtain a signed or electronically authenticated favorable opinion before the applicable claim submission.

The provider must affirmatively conclude that the asserted medical relationship is at least as likely as not, or express an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion, supported by individualized medical reasoning. Exact wording is not required when the conclusion clearly meets or exceeds that standard.

The opinion must identify the condition, relevant history, records reviewed, applicable connection theory, and medical basis for its conclusion. Depending on the condition, the opinion must support:

• Direct connection: The condition began during service or was caused by an identified in-service event, injury, disease, or exposure.

• Aggravation during service: A preexisting condition was aggravated by military service beyond its natural progression.

• Secondary causation: The condition was caused by an identified service-connected condition, including its treatment where applicable.

• Secondary aggravation: An identified service-connected condition, including its treatment where applicable, caused additional disability or worsening beyond natural progression. The opinion must explain the incremental worsening and its medical basis.

• Presumptive or another applicable pathway: The opinion must identify the diagnosis and supporting service-related facts and affirmatively support the medical relationship required for MBG eligibility.

Where relevant to the asserted secondary relationship, the reasoning must explain whether the additional disability or worsening would have occurred but for the service-connected condition. Merely inserting “but for” or “at least as likely as not” without supporting reasoning is insufficient.

An opinion stating only that a connection is possible, cannot be ruled out, or would require speculation does not satisfy this requirement. An unfavorable opinion or an opinion that discusses the relationship without reaching the required favorable conclusion is also insufficient.

If no qualifying provider supplies a medically supported favorable opinion, the condition does not qualify for MBG purposes. Including that condition in a required MBG attempt without the required opinion ends MBG eligibility, even if five other conditions satisfy all requirements.

Providers must exercise independent clinical judgment. Nothing in this Agreement requires or authorizes an unsupported favorable conclusion.

6. Presumptive conditions and claims for increase

Presumptive conditions: When the applicable requirements are met, VA may grant presumptive service connection without an individualized medical nexus opinion. Nevertheless, Honor Claims requires the favorable provider opinion described above as a separate contractual condition of MBG eligibility. This requirement does not change VA’s eligibility or filing rules.

Already service-connected conditions claimed for increase: A new opinion establishing service connection is not required. The provider must instead affirmatively support the claimed worsening and the medical findings supporting an evaluation higher than the existing individual rating.

7. Later opinions and adverse medical findings

For a later supplemental attempt, an unchanged copy of an opinion previously considered by VA is insufficient. A new or substantively updated opinion must address relevant evidence and unresolved medical issues. Merely re-dating or re-signing an unchanged opinion does not satisfy this requirement.

The client must obtain and provide relevant prior decisions, claims-file records, C&P examination reports, and other adverse medical evidence to the evaluating provider.

The opinion must identify and substantively address each relevant adverse medical finding affecting the condition, including findings concerning diagnosis, causation, aggravation, severity, or alternative causes.

A general statement of disagreement is insufficient. The provider must explain the medical basis for disagreeing with, distinguishing, or otherwise addressing the finding.

A contrary opinion does not, by itself, disqualify the condition when the required favorable opinion substantively addresses the relevant adverse findings. The existence of medical disagreement alone is not failure to satisfy this requirement.

8. Complete C-file after the first attempt

If the defined MBG success outcome has not occurred after completion of the first attempt, including its required Higher-Level Review proceedings, the client must obtain the complete VA claims file before submitting the second attempt.

The file must include the records associated with the first attempt and its completed reviews, including relevant C&P examination reports, medical opinions, decisions, and supporting evidence.

A records request, request acknowledgment, benefits-summary letter, verbal summary, or selection of documents alone does not satisfy the complete-file requirement.

The client must retain documentation identifying the records source, date obtained, and scope of the production. Known relevant omissions must be obtained before the second submission. An omission the client could not reasonably identify does not, by itself, establish noncompliance.

The complete file must be made available to the providers preparing the second-attempt opinions. Those opinions must identify the relevant records reviewed and address applicable adverse medical findings.

9. Updated complete C-file after the second attempt

If the defined MBG success outcome has not occurred after completion of the second attempt, including its required Higher-Level Review proceedings, the client must obtain an updated complete C-file before submitting the third attempt.

The updated file must include records associated with the second attempt and its completed reviews. Reusing the earlier file without obtaining intervening records is insufficient. An earlier complete production supplemented by the complete intervening records may satisfy this requirement.

The updated file must be made available to the providers preparing the third-attempt opinions and DBQs. Relevant adverse medical findings must be addressed.

10. Records-access methods and third-party timelines

The client may obtain the required complete or updated claims file through a VA records request, assistance from an appropriately authorized VA-accredited VSO representative, or another lawful records-access method. No particular retrieval method is required, provided the records satisfy the completeness and currency requirements and are available for required provider review.

The VSO engaged under the Agreement’s separate VSO-submission requirement may assist with records access and coordination. A representative’s ability to view the electronic claims folder does not, by itself, establish that the required complete records have been obtained and made available for provider review.

The client is responsible for arranging retrieval and confirming receipt before the next submission.

Honor Claims does not control or guarantee the processing, access, retrieval, or delivery timelines of VA, a VSO, or another independent records source and is not responsible for delays attributable to those parties.

11. Filing before obtaining the required C-file

A pending request or third-party delay does not waive the requirement to obtain the complete or updated C-file before the next qualifying submission.

The client may choose to submit the second or third attempt before obtaining the required file, including to preserve a VA deadline. Doing so ends MBG eligibility. Obtaining the file after submission does not retroactively restore eligibility.

These requirements do not extend any VA deadline or instruct the client to delay a filing. The client remains responsible for filing and review deadlines. Services continue during the remaining contractual service period.

12. Provider qualifications — attempts one and two

For mental-health conditions, the provider must be a licensed psychologist holding a PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology, or a licensed MD or DO practicing within psychiatry.

For physical-health conditions, the provider must be a licensed nurse practitioner, physician assistant, MD, or DO whose authorized scope of practice includes the assessment and opinion provided.

Every provider must have relevant clinical training and experience evaluating or treating the condition and addressing the medical relationship discussed in the opinion. A title or degree alone is insufficient.

13. Provider qualifications and DBQs — attempt three

For every submitted condition, the required opinion and applicable DBQ must be completed and signed by an MD or DO holding current board certification in a specialty relevant to that condition, with relevant clinical experience.

The specialty, certifying board, and current certification must be identifiable and verifiable. Board eligibility alone is insufficient.

A physician’s signature alone does not cure an inadequate examination, incomplete DBQ, or unsupported opinion. Inclusion on an Honor Claims provider list does not waive these requirements.

Initial PTSD DBQ exception

A private PTSD diagnosis and favorable medical opinion must be obtained before submission to satisfy this MBG pathway. When the applicable VA evidentiary route requires additional confirmation from a VA or VA-contracted examiner, that confirmation may occur during VA’s processing of the claim.

The client is not required to independently obtain a nonpublic Initial PTSD DBQ. The client must participate in required VA examinations and request and obtain the resulting examination reports when available for subsequent medical review and MBG documentation.

A VA examination that has not yet been scheduled, or a report that remains unavailable despite a documented request, does not by itself constitute failure to obtain a private Initial PTSD DBQ before submission. This exception does not waive the requirement to obtain the complete, updated claims file before a subsequent attempt.

An applicable publicly available PTSD Review DBQ must be obtained when appropriate to the clinical and adjudicative circumstances. It must not be used merely to substitute for an unavailable Initial PTSD DBQ. The appropriate examination type depends on the circumstances, not solely on the number of claim attempts. The private provider must document the basis for applying the Initial PTSD DBQ exception.

For the third attempt, the required private mental-health opinion must be obtained from a board-certified psychiatrist who is an MD or DO with relevant experience. Any independently obtained DBQ must satisfy the applicable MBG provider requirements. These private-provider requirements do not impose additional credential requirements on an examiner selected by VA.

This specific Initial PTSD DBQ exception controls over any general requirement to independently obtain an applicable DBQ before submission. It does not waive the private favorable opinion, diagnosis, provider, C-file, or other applicable MBG requirements.

No additional unavailable-DBQ exceptions apply. Only the express Initial PTSD DBQ exception is permitted.

14. Licensing

Each provider must hold an active license authorizing the services provided in the state where the client is physically located when receiving those services. Services must fall within the provider’s authorized scope of practice.

The provider must also satisfy any additional qualifications applicable to the particular examination or DBQ.

15. In-person examination and telehealth

For attempt three, a DBQ requiring hands-on examination, physical testing, or direct measurements must be supported by an in-person examination including those components. The completing physician must identify the examination date, method, and source of findings.

Actual range-of-motion measurements must be obtained during an in-person examination using the appropriate measurement method. Virtual observation, client self-measurement, or an unsupported estimate does not substitute for required measured findings.

Where a DBQ requests a medically supported estimate, such as functional loss during flare-ups, the provider must identify it as an estimate and explain its basis. An estimate must not be represented as a measurement actually obtained.

Telehealth may be used when the provider can appropriately evaluate the condition and complete required components through that method, consistent with professional standards and the particular DBQ. Required in-person examination or testing must still be obtained and documented.

16. Pending claims, reviews, and later submissions

Evidence that satisfied diagnosis-timing requirements at submission does not become untimely solely because VA processing or an associated review remains pending.

An HLR or Board appeal does not, by itself, restart the 12-month diagnosis requirement. These provisions do not require submission of new evidence in a review process that does not permit it.

Before a later initial, supplemental, or increased-rating claim submission, every included condition must again satisfy applicable requirements, including the 12-month diagnosis-currency and 36-month diagnostic-continuity standards.

The submission date is the date shown on the VA receipt or other reliable submission confirmation.

17. Client responsibility for costs

These charges are separate from Honor Claims’ service fee and are not reimbursed under the MBG. Payment does not guarantee a favorable diagnosis, opinion, DBQ, VA decision, or MBG eligibility.

The client must confirm the provider’s qualifications, price, scope of services, and refund terms before purchase. Any expressly promised cost disclosures by Honor Claims remain required.

18. Independent medical judgment and outcomes

Independent providers are responsible for their clinical assessments, findings, opinions, and documentation. VA determines the acceptance, evidentiary weight, and effect of those documents.

Honor Claims does not guarantee a favorable provider opinion, VA acceptance of a document, service connection, a rating increase, or compensation.

An unfavorable outcome does not, by itself, establish failure by Honor Claims to perform its services. These provisions do not eliminate an otherwise valid MBG refund, excuse expressly promised company obligations, or exclude responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded for Honor Claims’ own statements or conduct.

19. Verification and disputed determinations

The client must substantiate compliance through clinical records, provider credentials, applicable license and certification information, dated opinions and DBQs, examination documentation, claims-file production records, and submission confirmations.

Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted. Any denial based on these requirements must identify the affected condition, the specific unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation.

Refund review and disputed determinations follow the Agreement’s refund-review and dispute-resolution provisions. Honor Claims’ initial determination does not bind a court or arbitrator.

The veteran pays independent attorney assessment and appeal costs. Approved-refund provider credit under Section 60 may fund eligible prospective network services but does not reimburse earlier third-party expenditures.

51Qualifying Connection Pathway — Documented In-Service Diagnosis

A condition qualifies under this MBG pathway only when all of the following requirements are met:

Documented diagnosis during service. Service treatment records must identify a clear diagnosis made during the applicable period of military service. A symptom report, problem-list entry, suspected diagnosis, or instruction to rule out a condition does not, by itself, satisfy this requirement.

Onset during service. The records and required provider opinion must support that the condition first arose during the applicable period of service. Any relevant evidence suggesting pre-service onset must be identified and medically addressed. A condition determined to have preexisted service does not qualify under this pathway and must satisfy a separately available aggravation pathway.

Current diagnosis and documented continuity. A qualified provider must establish or expressly reaffirm the current diagnosis within 12 calendar months before the applicable submission. Beginning with the first documented diagnosis, there must be no interval exceeding 36 calendar months between qualifying provider assessments.

Each assessment must document that the provider evaluated the condition and confirmed that the diagnosis remained applicable. A condition’s appearance on a problem list alone is insufficient. A recent reaffirmation does not cure an earlier gap exceeding 36 months.

Supported favorable medical opinion. Before submission, a provider meeting the applicable qualifications must affirmatively conclude that the current condition is at least as likely as not the continuation, residual, or medically explained progression of the condition diagnosed during service. An equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion is acceptable.

The opinion must identify the in-service diagnosis, explain its relationship to the current condition, and address relevant intervening injuries, illnesses, alternative causes, and adverse medical findings. If the diagnostic name has changed, the provider must explain why the diagnoses concern the same underlying condition or a medically related residual or progression. Similar symptoms or diagnostic names alone are insufficient.

Compensable severity. The medical evidence must support at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria in effect at submission. If the applicable diagnostic code’s lowest compensable evaluation exceeds 10%, the evidence must support that higher minimum. The diagnosis alone does not establish compensable severity.

Application to the MBG minimum. Each condition counted under this pathway must independently meet these requirements and all applicable MBG medical-evidence requirements. The client must have at least five distinct qualifying conditions, which may qualify through this pathway or a combination of available MBG pathways. Every additional condition submitted in a required MBG attempt must also satisfy the applicable requirements.

Including any condition in a required MBG attempt that fails the applicable medical-evidence requirements ends MBG eligibility, even when five other conditions qualify. Failure to satisfy this particular pathway does not disqualify a condition that fully satisfies another available MBG pathway. The Agreement’s express policy-change exceptions remain applicable.

Pending reviews and later submissions. Timeliness is measured at the applicable claim submission. A pending VA decision, HLR, or Board appeal does not, by itself, make a previously timely assessment untimely. A later claim submission must again meet the applicable currency and continuity requirements.

Effect on services and filing. Failure to meet this pathway does not prohibit the client from pursuing a VA claim or continuing services during the remaining contractual service period. It means the condition does not qualify under this MBG pathway. Another expressly available MBG pathway may apply. These are contractual MBG criteria, not a statement of universal VA eligibility requirements.

52Qualifying Connection Pathway — Hostile-Activity or Deployment-Related Mental-Health Conditions

Purpose and application

A diagnosed mental-health condition may qualify under this MBG pathway when the client documents the relevant service circumstances through at least one route below and satisfies the applicable diagnosis, medical-opinion, severity, and other MBG requirements.

These are Honor Claims’ requirements for MBG eligibility. They are not VA filing requirements, do not guarantee that VA will accept a stressor or award benefits, and do not prevent the client from pursuing a claim that does not meet this MBG pathway.

1. Evidence establishing the service circumstances

The client must provide evidence satisfying at least one of these alternative routes:

A. Previously accepted VA stressor finding. A written VA adjudicative finding expressly accepts the occurrence of the relevant in-service event or stressor. The client must provide the finding and enough associated documentation to identify the accepted event. A medical record or examination report merely repeating the client’s account does not, by itself, establish that VA has accepted the stressor.

B. Documented combat participation. Official military records establish the client’s personal participation in combat, including a Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, or another award or official record establishing such participation. The client must provide an account of the claimed stressor consistent with the documented circumstances of that service. A deployment or campaign medal alone does not establish personal combat participation.

C. Documented hostile incident. Official records document a hostile incident, and associated personnel, deployment, unit, or other official records establish the client’s presence with the affected unit or at the relevant location and time. Supporting records may include incident reports, operational records, casualty records, individual award citations, or Hostile Fire Pay records attributable to the relevant circumstances. The records must connect the client’s service to the incident; presence somewhere in the same country or theater alone is insufficient. No single document must establish every fact when the records collectively establish the connection.

D. Fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Official records establish service at a location, during a period, and under circumstances consistent with the client’s account of actual or threatened hostile military or terrorist activity. The client must describe the relevant events or circumstances and their personal experience of them. Examples include actual or potential improvised explosive devices, incoming rocket or mortar fire, small-arms fire, or attacks on military aircraft.

Deployment records, duty assignments, personnel records, and Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay records may support this route. Location or pay entitlement alone is insufficient to satisfy the MBG requirement without a consistent account and the required medical evidence.

For PTSD relying on this fear-based evidentiary route, the required confirmation by a VA or VA-contracted psychiatrist or psychologist must establish that the claimed stressor is adequate to support the PTSD diagnosis and that the client’s symptoms relate to that stressor. A private provider’s opinion does not replace that confirmation. This VA-specific confirmation may occur during claim processing; it is not an additional private document required before submission. Its absence solely because VA has not yet provided the examination does not itself establish client noncompliance. An adverse medical finding is evaluated under the applicable favorable-opinion and adverse-finding requirements rather than treated automatically as a participation failure.

The special PTSD stressor rules are not represented as applying to MDD, GAD, or other non-PTSD diagnoses. Those diagnoses must independently meet the favorable medical-opinion requirements connecting the diagnosed condition to the documented service circumstances.

2. Treatment of pay, duration, and awards

There is no minimum deployment duration under this pathway. Evidence of a qualifying incident during a shorter period may satisfy the applicable documentary route.

Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay are supporting evidence and are not both required. Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay is not required and does not independently establish qualifying hostile exposure.

Pay evidence must identify the underlying period of entitlement. Delayed, corrected, or retroactive payment is evaluated according to the service period it covers, rather than the payment date.

Campaign medals, deployment awards, and general service citations may help establish location, dates, or duties. They do not independently establish personal combat participation or the medical relationship between service and a diagnosed condition.

3. Diagnosed condition and favorable medical opinion

Before submission, the client must have a documented mental-health diagnosis and a supported favorable opinion from a provider meeting the MBG’s applicable qualification and licensing requirements.

The opinion must conclude that the diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not caused by the identified in-service events or circumstances, or express an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion, and explain the medical basis for that conclusion.

The provider must identify the relevant events, explain their relationship to the diagnosis, and address relevant adverse medical findings, alternative causes, and pre-service or intervening circumstances. An opinion stating only that a relationship is possible, cannot be ruled out, or would require speculation does not qualify.

Where medically applicable, the provider may explain that the condition would not have developed but for the identified service events. “But for” terminology is not a substitute for a supported favorable medical conclusion and is not required as a formulaic phrase. This direct-causation provision does not waive the reasoning required for a secondary relationship under the general medical-evidence requirements.

A preexisting condition claimed to have been aggravated by service must satisfy the applicable aggravation pathway rather than being treated as newly caused by service under this pathway.

4. Current diagnosis and supporting history

The diagnosis must be clinically assessed or reaffirmed within the 12 calendar months before each applicable initial, supplemental, or increase submission. The assessment and its documentation must exist before submission. From the first documented diagnosis onward, the supporting records must contain qualifying clinical assessments with no gap exceeding 36 months.

A problem-list entry, billing code, screening result, suspected diagnosis, or historical reference alone does not satisfy this requirement. A recent assessment does not cure an earlier undocumented gap. Records obtained later may establish that an assessment actually occurred during the relevant period; a retrospective statement alone does not replace a missing assessment.

A newly diagnosed condition does not require a three-year treatment history. A diagnosis made after discharge may qualify when the evidence and favorable opinion establish the required relationship to service. A change of provider or diagnostic label does not by itself restart the continuity period.

The submission date is established by the VA receipt or other reliable submission confirmation. An assessment timely at submission does not become untimely solely because a VA decision, HLR, or Board appeal remains pending. A later initial, supplemental, or increase submission must again satisfy the applicable requirements.

5. PTSD examinations and DBQs

6. Severity, counting, and continuing eligibility

The medical evidence must support at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria in effect at submission, or the lowest compensable evaluation when the applicable criteria begin above 10%. A diagnosis, deployment record, or combat award alone does not establish compensable severity.

Multiple mental-health diagnoses, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD, count together as one qualifying condition toward the five-condition MBG minimum. Every condition affirmatively submitted must satisfy the applicable MBG medical-evidence requirements, including conditions submitted beyond the minimum five. Merely mentioning another diagnosis in medical records does not make it a submitted condition.

A new service connection evaluated at 0% still satisfies the agreement’s MBG success definition, even though eligibility requires evidence supporting compensable severity.

The client remains responsible for obtaining the required records, opinions, evaluations, and applicable DBQs at the client’s expense, except services expressly identified as included in the signed Agreement. Requirements for updated claims files, subsequent opinions addressing adverse findings, and submission through a qualifying VSO continue to apply.

Failure to satisfy this pathway does not prohibit submission or automatically end services during the remaining contractual service period. It affects MBG eligibility, subject to another qualifying pathway or an expressly applicable MBG exception.

7. Evaluation and disputed determinations

The client must provide the documentation supporting eligibility. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted. Honor Claims will evaluate the records against the stated criteria and identify in writing any affected condition, unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation.

A finding that VA accepted a stressor does not by itself establish a qualifying diagnosis, favorable nexus, compensable severity, or satisfaction of every MBG requirement. Conversely, an adverse VA decision does not by itself prove that the client failed to satisfy this contractual pathway.

Disputes concerning MBG eligibility remain subject to the agreement’s refund-review and dispute-resolution processes. Honor Claims’ initial eligibility determination does not replace the authority of the court or arbitrator resolving the dispute.

53Qualifying Connection Pathway — PACT Act Presumptive Condition

Qualifying diagnosis and service

A condition qualifies under this MBG pathway when:

1. Before the applicable claim submission, the client has a documented diagnosis of a condition covered by a presumption of service connection established or expanded under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, commonly known as the PACT Act, including applicable amendments and implementing statutes and regulations.

2. Official records establish that the client meets the service requirements for the specific presumption applicable to that diagnosis. These include the required location, service dates, qualifying activity or exposure, and any applicable duration, diagnosis-timing, manifestation, or other condition-specific requirements.

3. VA has expressly acknowledged or conceded the qualifying service or exposure applicable to that presumption in a written decision, favorable finding, exposure memorandum, or other official claims-file determination.

A diagnosis associated with one presumptive category and service qualifying under a different category do not satisfy this requirement unless the governing law connects that diagnosis to that service.

Evidence of VA acknowledgment

The client must provide the official VA record identifying the accepted service or exposure and sufficient supporting records to establish its applicability to the diagnosed condition.

A general acknowledgment of toxic exposure does not, by itself, establish eligibility for every presumptive condition. A toxic-exposure screening, registry enrollment, healthcare eligibility determination, or record merely repeating the client’s reported history is not sufficient by itself.

VA need not have already granted service connection. A grant of new service connection is evaluated under the Agreement’s MBG success definition.

For a client whose qualifying service or exposure has not yet been acknowledged by VA, the diagnosis and supporting service records must exist before submission. Eligibility under this pathway remains conditional until the required VA acknowledgment is documented. VA’s processing delay alone is not a client participation failure.

Medical evidence required for MBG eligibility

Every condition submitted under this pathway must independently satisfy the applicable MBG medical-evidence requirements, including:

• A qualifying diagnosis assessed or reaffirmed within 12 calendar months before submission.

• Documented diagnostic continuity without a gap exceeding 36 calendar months between qualifying assessments, beginning with the first documented diagnosis.

• A supported favorable provider opinion obtained before submission, affirmatively concluding that the diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not related to the identified qualifying service or exposure, or expressing an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion.

• Medical evidence supporting at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable rating criteria, or the lowest compensable evaluation if that minimum exceeds 10%.

• Applicable provider qualifications, licensing, adverse-finding responses, later-attempt evidence, DBQ, and claims-file requirements.

A problem-list entry alone does not establish the required diagnosis or reaffirmation.

VA may grant presumptive service connection without an individualized medical nexus opinion. The favorable provider opinion required here is a separate Honor Claims MBG eligibility condition, not a VA filing requirement.

Relevant adverse medical findings must be substantively addressed. An adverse finding or alternative risk factor does not automatically disqualify the condition when the required evidence otherwise satisfies this pathway and the applicable MBG requirements.

Applicable law and later changes

The diagnosis and service requirements are determined under the applicable statutes and regulations legally governing the claim at the time of the relevant submission, including applicable effective-date and transition provisions. Honor Claims does not maintain a separate contractual list of qualifying diagnoses or locations.

Later changes affecting an otherwise qualifying condition are handled under the Agreement’s express policy-change substitution and reduced-refund provisions. Updating an external government webpage does not independently amend the signed Agreement or automatically terminate MBG eligibility.

Effect on eligibility and services

Each condition counted toward the five-condition minimum must independently qualify under this or another available MBG pathway. Every additional condition affirmatively submitted must also satisfy its applicable MBG requirements.

Failure to satisfy this pathway does not prohibit the client from submitting a claim or continuing services during the remaining contractual service period. It means the condition does not qualify under this pathway unless the outstanding requirements are met or another applicable pathway is satisfied.

The client must substantiate compliance. Any denial of MBG eligibility must identify the affected condition, unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation, subject to the Agreement’s refund-review and dispute-resolution procedures.

54Qualifying Connection Pathway — Other Presumptive Conditions

Qualifying diagnosis and service

A condition qualifies under this MBG pathway when:

1. Before the applicable claim submission, the client has a documented diagnosis of a condition covered by an applicable statutory or regulatory presumption of service connection.

2. Official service records and supporting medical evidence establish the requirements for the specific presumption applicable to that diagnosis. These may include qualifying service dates, location, duration, activity, exposure, prisoner-of-war status, or manifestation of the condition within a specified period and at a specified level of severity.

3. VA has expressly acknowledged the qualifying service, exposure, status, or other facts necessary to apply that presumption in a written decision, favorable finding, exposure memorandum, or other official claims-file determination. The acknowledgment must address the facts relevant to the particular presumption; a generic exposure finding is insufficient.

This pathway supplements the PACT Act pathway. A condition that satisfies either pathway need not independently satisfy both, but the same condition does not count twice toward the MBG minimum.

Matching the condition to the applicable presumption

The diagnosed condition must match the presumption applicable to the client’s documented circumstances. A diagnosis covered by one presumptive category and service qualifying under another do not satisfy this requirement unless the governing law connects them.

Where the presumption requires manifestation within a specified period or at a specified severity, the records must establish that requirement. The date of diagnosis and the date of manifestation are evaluated according to the governing law; they are not automatically treated as the same date.

A condition described as associated with an exposure, potentially related to service, or eligible for additional medical development is not necessarily presumptive. Eligibility for healthcare, screening, registry participation, or a VA examination does not by itself establish a presumption of service connection.

Evidence of VA acknowledgment

The client must provide the official VA record identifying the accepted qualifying facts and sufficient supporting records to establish their applicability to the diagnosed condition.

VA need not have already granted service connection. A grant of new service connection is evaluated under the Agreement’s MBG success definition.

If VA has not yet acknowledged the qualifying facts, the diagnosis and supporting evidence must exist before submission. Eligibility under this pathway remains conditional until the required VA acknowledgment is documented. VA’s processing delay alone is not a client participation failure.

Medical evidence required for MBG eligibility

Every condition submitted under this pathway must independently satisfy the applicable MBG medical-evidence requirements, including:

• A qualifying diagnosis assessed or reaffirmed within 12 calendar months before submission.

• Documented diagnostic continuity without a gap exceeding 36 calendar months between qualifying assessments, beginning with the first documented diagnosis.

• A supported favorable provider opinion obtained before submission, affirmatively concluding that the condition is at least as likely as not related to the identified qualifying service or exposure, or expressing an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion.

• Medical evidence supporting at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable rating criteria, or the lowest compensable evaluation if that minimum exceeds 10%.

• Applicable provider qualifications, licensing, adverse-finding responses, later-attempt evidence, DBQ, and claims-file requirements.

For a presumption based on post-service manifestation, the opinion must also address the medical evidence establishing the required manifestation period and severity.

A problem-list entry alone does not establish the required diagnosis or reaffirmation. A recent assessment does not cure an earlier gap exceeding the permitted diagnostic-continuity interval. The Agreement’s pending-review protections remain applicable.

Diagnosed and undiagnosed illnesses

This MBG pathway requires a documented diagnosis. Symptoms attributed solely to an undiagnosed illness do not satisfy that contractual requirement, even where VA permits a claim or award under an undiagnosed-illness presumption.

A diagnosed medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness is not excluded merely because its cause is medically unexplained. It must independently satisfy the applicable presumption and all MBG requirements.

This distinction concerns MBG eligibility only and does not restrict the client’s ability to pursue VA benefits.

Applicable law and later changes

The diagnosis and qualifying circumstances are determined under the statutes and regulations legally governing the claim at the time of the relevant submission, including applicable effective-date and transition provisions. Honor Claims does not maintain a separate contractual list of presumptive diagnoses, locations, or qualifying service categories.

Effect on eligibility and services

Failure to satisfy this pathway does not prohibit submission or automatically end services during the remaining contractual service period. It means the condition does not qualify under this pathway unless the outstanding requirements are met or another applicable pathway is satisfied.

The client must substantiate compliance. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted. Any denial of MBG eligibility must identify the affected condition, unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation, subject to the Agreement’s refund-review and dispute-resolution procedures.

55Qualifying Connection Pathway — Toxic-Exposure Direct Connection

Qualifying exposure, diagnosis, and medical opinion

A condition qualifies under this MBG pathway only when all three requirements are satisfied:

1. VA-conceded toxic exposure risk activity. VA has expressly acknowledged the client’s participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during military service in a written decision, favorable finding, TERA memorandum, or other official claims-file determination.

2. Documented diagnosis before submission. Before the applicable claim submission, the client has a documented diagnosis of the condition claimed as resulting from the acknowledged toxic exposure.

3. Supported favorable nexus opinion before submission. Before the applicable claim submission, a provider meeting the MBG qualification and licensing requirements has issued a signed or electronically authenticated opinion affirmatively concluding that the diagnosed condition is at least as likely as not caused by the identified in-service toxic exposure, or expressing an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion, with individualized medical reasoning.

This pathway addresses direct service connection based on toxic exposure where the client is not relying on an applicable presumption of service connection.

Documentation of conceded TERA participation

The client must provide the official VA acknowledgment and supporting records identifying the exposure or activity on which the medical opinion relies. Available records should establish the relevant duties, location, service period, and exposure circumstances.

The exposure addressed by the provider must correspond to the exposure or activity acknowledged by VA. A generic concession does not independently establish every substance, exposure level, or circumstance asserted by the client.

A toxic-exposure screening, registry enrollment, healthcare eligibility determination, or medical record merely repeating the client’s reported history is not sufficient by itself to establish the required VA concession.

VA need not have already conceded medical causation or granted service connection. A grant of new service connection is evaluated under the Agreement’s MBG success definition.

If VA has not yet documented its acknowledgment, the diagnosis, supporting exposure evidence, and favorable nexus opinion must nevertheless exist before submission. Eligibility under this pathway remains conditional until the required acknowledgment is documented. VA’s processing delay alone is not a client participation failure.

Content of the favorable medical opinion

The provider must:

• Identify the diagnosed condition and the relevant toxic exposure or activities.

• Identify the records reviewed and the factual basis for the exposure history.

• Explain why the identified exposure is at least as likely as not a cause of the diagnosed condition.

• Address the timing of exposure, onset, and diagnosis, including any medically relevant latency.

• Consider the client’s total potential exposure across applicable military deployments and the combined effects of relevant toxic exposure risk activities, explaining their significance where medically applicable.

• Address relevant adverse C-file findings, C&P opinions, alternative causes, and material pre-service or post-service exposures.

The opinion must distinguish documented facts from assumptions and explain any material uncertainty. Exact exposure measurements are not required when unavailable, but the provider must explain whether the available evidence supports the favorable conclusion despite that limitation.

General literature showing a possible association, without applying it to the client’s circumstances, is insufficient. An opinion stating only that a relationship is possible, cannot be ruled out, or would require speculation does not qualify.

Where medically applicable, the provider may explain whether the condition would have developed but for the identified exposure. Particular wording does not replace the required favorable conclusion and supporting reasoning.

If a qualified provider cannot medically support the required favorable conclusion, the condition does not qualify under this MBG pathway. Nothing requires or authorizes a provider to issue an unsupported opinion.

Other applicable medical-evidence requirements

Every condition submitted under this pathway must independently satisfy the applicable MBG requirements, including:

• Diagnosis assessed or reaffirmed within 12 calendar months before submission.

• No gap exceeding 36 calendar months between qualifying assessments, beginning with the first documented diagnosis.

• Evidence supporting at least a 10% evaluation under the applicable rating criteria, or the lowest compensable evaluation if that minimum exceeds 10%.

• Applicable provider qualifications, licensing, updated opinions, adverse-finding responses, DBQs, and claims-file requirements.

A problem-list entry alone is insufficient. A newly diagnosed condition does not require a three-year history, and the Agreement’s pending-review protections remain applicable.

The existence of another risk factor or an adverse medical opinion does not automatically disqualify the condition. The required favorable opinion must substantively address relevant contrary evidence and remain medically supportable.

A preexisting condition claimed to have been aggravated by toxic exposure must satisfy the applicable aggravation pathway rather than being treated as newly caused under this pathway.

Effect on MBG eligibility and services

These are contractual MBG requirements. They do not prohibit the client from submitting a claim without this documentation or continuing services during the remaining contractual service period.

The client is responsible for obtaining and documenting the required evidence and paying independent medical and records costs, except services expressly included in the signed Agreement.

The Agreement’s policy-change protections, refund-review procedures, and dispute-resolution provisions remain applicable. Any denial based on this pathway must identify the affected condition, unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted.

56MBG Qualifying Pathway — Aggravation of an Existing Condition

Required evidence

A condition qualifies under this MBG pathway only when the client provides, before the applicable claim submission:

1. A documented diagnosis satisfying the applicable MBG diagnosis requirements.

2. Medical documentation establishing the condition’s baseline severity before the claimed aggravation.

3. Medical documentation establishing worsening from that baseline.

4. A supported favorable provider opinion connecting the additional disability to military service or to an identified service-connected condition, including its treatment where applicable.

The evidence must support one of the two routes below.

Aggravation during military service

For a condition that existed before the applicable period of military service, the records must establish its baseline severity before that period and an increase in the underlying disability during service.

The provider must affirmatively conclude that it is at least as likely as not that the identified service circumstances aggravated the condition beyond its natural progression, or express an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion, and explain the medical basis.

The opinion must identify the relevant service events, duties, injuries, illnesses, or exposures and distinguish additional disability attributable to service from the condition’s expected natural course.

A temporary increase in symptoms, without evidence supporting an increase in the underlying disability, is insufficient for this contractual pathway.

Aggravation by a service-connected condition

For a condition worsened by another condition, VA must have established service connection for the condition alleged to have caused the worsening. The client must provide the applicable VA decision or equivalent official record.

The condition being aggravated need not have existed before military service. It must have existed before the claimed aggravation.

The provider must affirmatively conclude that it is at least as likely as not that the identified service-connected condition, including its treatment where applicable, caused additional disability or worsening beyond natural progression, or express an equivalent or stronger favorable conclusion.

The opinion must explain whether the additional disability would have occurred but for the service-connected condition or its treatment. The service-connected condition need not be the sole cause, but the provider must identify and explain its contribution.

A conclusion that the service-connected condition did not originally cause the other condition does not, by itself, address whether it aggravated that condition. The provider must expressly address aggravation.

This route does not impose a blanket requirement that the worsening be permanent. The records and opinion must identify actual additional disability or functional impairment attributable to the aggravation.

Baseline documentation

The baseline must be supported by dated medical records describing the condition before the claimed worsening. Relevant documentation may include examinations, treatment records, diagnostic testing, medication history, symptom frequency and severity, and functional limitations.

For aggravation during service, relevant evidence includes entrance examinations and available pre-service medical records.

For secondary aggravation, baseline evidence may also consist of the earliest medical evidence created between the onset of aggravation and the medical evidence establishing current severity, where permitted by the governing VA rules. The provider must explain what that evidence establishes and any limitations.

A client’s unsupported estimate, the absence of treatment alone, or a provider’s unexplained statement that the baseline was “normal” or “0%” is insufficient.

The provider must identify the baseline records and explain the baseline findings. If the available evidence cannot medically establish a baseline, the condition does not satisfy this MBG pathway.

Documentation of worsening

The records must permit a meaningful comparison between baseline and subsequent severity. They must identify the changes in symptoms, clinical findings, treatment needs, or functional limitations supporting the claimed aggravation.

A changed diagnosis, additional appointment, or medication change does not establish aggravation by itself. The provider must explain its medical significance and relationship to the claimed worsening.

The opinion must address relevant alternative causes, intervening events, natural progression, and adverse C-file or C&P findings. Merely stating that worsening occurred after service or after another diagnosis is insufficient to establish causation.

An opinion stating only that aggravation is possible, cannot be ruled out, or would require speculation does not qualify.

Diagnosis, severity, and continuing evidence requirements

The existing MBG diagnosis rules apply, including:

• A qualifying assessment or reaffirmation within 12 calendar months before each applicable submission.

• No gap exceeding 36 calendar months between qualifying assessments, beginning with the first documented diagnosis.

• A documented clinical assessment rather than a problem-list entry alone.

• No automatic restart of diagnostic continuity because the provider or diagnostic label changes.

• The applicable protections for evidence that was timely when submitted while a decision or review remains pending.

Historical baseline records need not have been created within the preceding 12 months. They establish the earlier severity; the current assessment establishes the present diagnosis and severity.

The medical evidence must support compensable additional disability attributable to aggravation: at least a 10% evaluation, or the applicable higher minimum, after any baseline or natural-progression deduction required by the governing VA rules. Evidence that the condition is compensable overall does not alone establish that the service-attributable worsening is compensable.

VA determines the actual evaluation. A new service connection assigned at 0% still satisfies the Agreement’s defined MBG success outcome.

Applicable provider qualifications, licensing, later-attempt opinions, adverse-finding responses, DBQs, and claims-file requirements remain in effect.

Scope and effect

These are Honor Claims’ contractual MBG evidence requirements. They do not redefine VA’s presumptions of soundness or aggravation, alter VA’s legal burdens of proof, or require the client to concede pre-service onset where that fact is disputed.

A condition already service-connected and claimed only for a higher evaluation is evaluated under the applicable increased-rating requirements.

Each condition counted toward the five-condition minimum must independently qualify. Every additional condition affirmatively submitted must also satisfy its applicable MBG requirements. The same condition cannot be counted more than once because more than one connection theory is asserted.

The client is responsible for obtaining and documenting the required evidence and paying independent medical and records costs, except services expressly included in the signed Agreement.

Failure to satisfy this pathway does not prohibit submission or automatically end services during the remaining contractual service period. Another available MBG pathway may apply.

The Agreement’s policy-change protections, refund-review procedures, and dispute-resolution provisions remain applicable. Any denial must identify the affected condition, unmet requirement, and supporting facts or missing documentation. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted.

57Secondary service connection checklist

For secondary causation, identify a documented service-connected underlying condition, the distinct claimed secondary diagnosis and the supported causal relationship, including treatment effects where applicable. Before submission, provide the favorable individualized opinion, current diagnosis, continuity, severity, provider qualifications and adverse-finding responses required by Sections 46, 49 and 50. The underlying connection must be established. Secondary aggravation uses Section 56 and Section 50's supported incremental-worsening standard. Apply Section 46's counting groups; do not count the same condition twice merely because multiple theories support it. No additional stricter medical standard is created.

58Increase for an existing service connection checklist

For an increase, identify the existing service-connected condition and current individual rating; provide documented symptoms, findings and functional limitations supporting a higher evaluation, together with a favorable supported increase opinion before submission. Apply existing diagnosis, continuity, severity, provider, DBQ, C-file and adverse-finding requirements in Sections 46, 49 and 50. Do not require re-establishing service connection or a new nexus opinion solely for an increase. Apply the same rules at all otherwise MBG-eligible starting ratings below 80%.

44MBG requirement: VSO submission

To maintain Money-Back Guarantee eligibility, each required claim package and Higher-Level Review must be submitted on your behalf by a VA-accredited VSO representative through a qualifying state, county, local, or nationally recognized veterans service organization.

You may select a qualifying VSO independently or through relationships made available by Honor Claims.

Self-submission—including through VA.gov, a physical or online fax service, mail, or in-person delivery—and submission through an attorney or claims agent do not satisfy the earlier-attempt MBG requirement. A qualifying VSO may use any submission method accepted by VA for the applicable filing.

You must retain documentation identifying the submitting VSO representative and confirming submission.

This provision establishes an Honor Claims MBG eligibility requirement. It does not establish a VA filing requirement or determine entitlement to VA benefits.

At the required final attorney stage, a qualified VA-accredited attorney may submit and handle the supported Board appeal. That stage is an express exception to VSO-only submission and prohibited outside representation. Section 42's documented three-attorney exception waives the remaining attorney/Board requirement; it does not waive earlier VSO-submission requirements.

45Client responsibility for maintaining MBG eligibility

You are responsible for satisfying and documenting the Money-Back Guarantee requirements incorporated into your signed Agreement. This includes obtaining required records and medical evidence, selecting providers who meet the applicable qualifications, arranging qualifying submissions, meeting deadlines, maintaining required communication, and retaining proof of compliance.

Unless expressly included in your signed Agreement, Honor Claims does not undertake ongoing monitoring, auditing, deadline tracking, or individual reminders concerning MBG eligibility. You should not assume that Honor Claims has reviewed every action, document, provider, or submission for compliance.

Enrollment, payment acceptance, receipt of documents, general assistance, and continued services do not, by themselves, confirm that you have satisfied every MBG requirement or waive an unmet requirement.

Any refund determination must be based on the applicable written requirements and supporting facts. This provision does not excuse Honor Claims from performing expressly promised services, providing accurate information about its MBG policy, or honoring refunds owed under the Agreement. It does not override applicable rights arising from Honor Claims’ own statements or conduct.

This allocation of client responsibility does not displace the specific written-notice, explanation, and refund-review obligations Honor Claims undertakes in Section 48.

47Maintaining five qualifying conditions

To preserve MBG eligibility, at least five distinct qualifying conditions identified in the written list accompanying your first qualifying submission must continue to meet the applicable MBG requirements and remain actively pursued through each required qualifying claim-and-review cycle, unless the defined MBG success outcome has already occurred, subject to the qualifying substitutions and reduced-refund exception in Section 48.

If your first submission includes more than five qualifying conditions, additional original qualifying conditions may satisfy the continuing minimum. Omitting an additional original condition from a later attempt does not, by itself, end MBG eligibility while at least five original qualifying conditions remain actively pursued. This does not excuse deficient evidence for any condition actually submitted or cure noncompliance in an earlier attempt.

Separate filings and pending issues: The five conditions need not appear on every individual form or submission. Each condition must be pursued through the procedurally appropriate filings and reviews applicable to that issue. A condition awaiting a VA decision, deferred determination, or pending review is not considered abandoned solely because it cannot yet proceed to the next stage.

A VA denial alone does not disqualify a condition. The condition must continue to satisfy the Agreement’s applicable medical-evidence, documentation, and participation requirements. This provision does not require duplicate filings or submission of new evidence in a review process that does not permit it.

Client documentation: When requesting an MBG refund, you must substantiate compliance by identifying the qualifying conditions and providing supporting records for each required cycle, including relevant medical evidence, submission confirmations, decisions, and review records. You may identify records already held by Honor Claims rather than resubmit them.

Providing missing proof of an action completed on time is different from completing a required action after its deadline. Missing documentation will be handled under the Agreement’s refund-review procedure.

Fewer than five qualifying conditions: If fewer than five original conditions remain qualifying and actively pursued, MBG eligibility ends, except to the extent Section 48 expressly permits qualifying substitutions or a reduced refund because of a VA law or policy change.

Any denial based on this requirement must identify the affected conditions, the specific unmet requirements, and the supporting facts. Loss of MBG eligibility does not, by itself, terminate services during the remaining contractual service window.

Every condition counted under this section must independently meet Section 46 and all other applicable qualifying-condition requirements. Section 48 permits a fully qualifying substitute to take the place of an original condition affected by a qualifying policy change; no retroactive inclusion in filings predating that substitution is required.

Diagnostic currency and continuity are measured as specified in Section 49. A pending review does not itself make previously timely evidence untimely; a later claim submission must again meet both standards.

48VA policy-change substitutions and reduced MBG

1. Qualifying change

A qualifying change is an officially published change in VA law, regulation, or applicable adjudication policy that takes effect after your first qualifying submission and applies to an identified qualifying condition. The change must cause that condition to no longer meet the Agreement’s MBG eligibility requirements, after considering applicable effective-date provisions, grandfathering protections, and alternative supported pathways.

A proposed change, an individual VA denial, a difference of medical opinion, missing documentation, or a change that does not apply to your claim does not qualify under this provision.

2. Qualifying conditions and substitutions

Additional qualifying conditions identified in your first qualifying submission may satisfy the continuing five-condition minimum. When a qualifying change affects an original condition, you may substitute another condition that independently meets every applicable MBG requirement. The substitution must be documented in an updated written condition list, supported by the required medical evidence, and pursued through the appropriate submission and review process. The counting rules in Section 46 apply; multiple diagnoses counted as one condition cannot be counted separately as substitutions.

You will have at least 60 calendar days after written notice identifying the affected condition and the applicable change to provide substitution documentation. A longer period may be established in an amendment signed by both parties. This contractual period does not extend any VA deadline.

A substitute need not have appeared in an earlier filing made before the substitution became necessary. All requirements applicable to its subsequent pursuit remain in effect.

3. Refund calculation

If at least five qualifying conditions remain after counting additional original conditions and qualifying substitutions, no reduction applies under this section.

If fewer than five remain solely because of qualifying changes, the otherwise payable MBG refund is reduced by 20 percentage points for each condition below five: five or more remaining = 100%; four = 80%; three = 60%; two = 40%; one = 20%; none = no MBG refund.

A condition may be counted as lost only once, regardless of how many changes affect it. No reduction applies for an affected condition replaced by a qualifying substitute. These percentages apply to the otherwise payable MBG refund amount, not VA benefits or third-party expenses.

The calculation is based on the qualifying conditions remaining when the refund request is decided, after the substitution period has expired. A condition whose qualifying pathway has been restored before that determination will not be treated as lost solely because of the earlier change.

4. Remaining requirements and services

A qualifying change does not itself create an immediate right to a refund. The Agreement’s defined success outcome and all other applicable refund requirements continue to apply.

You must complete the required attempts and reviews for the remaining qualifying conditions. You are not required to make a filing or pursue a review that the qualifying change has made legally unavailable. Honor Claims must identify in writing which requirements remain applicable and which are excused by the change.

This exception does not excuse unrelated noncompliance. A reduction or loss of MBG coverage under this section does not, by itself, terminate services during the remaining contractual service period.

5. Documentation and determination

You are responsible for substantiating your compliance with the MBG requirements and the eligibility of any proposed substitute. You may identify records already held by Honor Claims rather than submit them again.

Honor Claims is responsible for substantiating any reduction it applies under this section. Its written determination must identify: (a) the official authority and effective date of the change; (b) why it applies to your claim; (c) each affected condition and the specific requirement it can no longer satisfy; (d) why applicable protections, additional original qualifying conditions, or proposed substitutions do not prevent the reduction; and (e) the remaining qualifying-condition count and resulting refund calculation.

Honor Claims will provide its determination within 30 calendar days after receiving a complete refund request and expiration of any applicable substitution period. If information is missing, Honor Claims will identify the missing information in writing and provide at least 30 calendar days to supplement it. Providing proof of timely compliance does not excuse an action that was itself untimely.

Honor Claims’ determination is the initial contractual review, not a binding adjudication of a disputed claim. Any unresolved dispute is governed by Section 33. Nothing here makes Honor Claims’ interpretation conclusive or restricts rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be waived.

10Participation and communications

Complete the purchased program steps, attend or timely reschedule appointments, maintain a working contact channel, and provide necessary information and VA decisions. Section 11's response rule continues for necessary guarantee-related requests after regular services end while the guarantee remains active.

Complete the assigned education and preparation in Section 62 and the VA response, examination and pursuit requirements in Section 63. Documented exceptions and determination procedures in Section 64 control. Ordinary questions, honest complaints, or reasonable use of included support do not independently end MBG.

11Inactivity

Thirty consecutive calendar days without a substantive response to a documented necessary service or guarantee-related request requiring a response automatically ends MBG coverage. No additional outreach or warning is required. Waiting for VA alone, without an outstanding necessary request, is not nonresponse. The rule continues after regular services end while the guarantee remains active. Loss of coverage does not alone terminate remaining regular services. Restoration, and any illness-related pause of participation or response requirements, requires a written agreement signed by both parties.

07Accurate information

You are responsible for supplying truthful, complete and accurate records and statements, correcting errors, and notifying Honor Claims of material changes. You must not exaggerate symptoms, fabricate evidence, omit material facts, or submit information you know is false. Honor Claims may rely on information you supply but remains responsible for its own contractual obligations.

A substantiated material false statement or substantiated deliberate concealment of material records, including prior denials, ends MBG coverage. An innocent error corrected promptly does not automatically end coverage. Any adverse determination must identify the material statement or concealment and its factual basis.

08Veteran responsibility for all deadlines

You are solely responsible for identifying, calculating, monitoring, and meeting every deadline applicable to your VA matter, including intent-to-file expiration, claim submission, evidence requests, examinations, decision reviews, appeals, and preservation of effective dates. You must monitor VA correspondence and obtain qualified assistance when a deadline is unclear. Honor Claims does not maintain your legal deadline calendar or undertake to file or respond for you.

09Reminders and receipt

An optional reminder from Honor Claims does not transfer responsibility for a deadline. Sending records to Honor Claims is not submission to the VA and does not extend, suspend, or preserve a VA deadline. You are responsible for confirming VA receipt and retaining submission records. Nothing here excuses Honor Claims from its express contractual duties or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

22MBG time limits

Regular services last 365 calendar days from signing. Expiration of regular services does not end an otherwise active MBG while required claims, reviews or appeals are completed. The client continues meeting guarantee requirements, including necessary communications. VA waiting alone does not cause loss of coverage. Refund eligibility requires the completed unsuccessful process in Sections 20 and 42, including the permitted early attorney-assessment or documented attorney-unavailability exceptions. Section 23 governs refund deadlines. Section 43 governs an optional fourth attempt and waiver.

24MBG exclusions and rights

MBG is unavailable at signing for combined ratings of 80% or above, TDIU, payment-plan enrollment, signing before active-duty separation, any completed service period without a documented Honorable discharge, or failure to satisfy the published requirements. Subsequent disqualifying events include substantiated material false statements, deliberate material-record concealment, automatic nonresponse under Section 11, substantiated criminal conduct that actually prevents completion of the required process, prohibited outside engagements under Section 59, final payment reversal under Section 23, and a signed fourth-attempt waiver.

An allegation alone does not establish criminal conduct; an adverse determination must identify the facts and actual effect on completion. A truthful review, lawful complaint or marketing opt-out alone does not void the guarantee. Accredited VSO assistance and the expressly permitted final-stage attorney assessment/appeal remain allowed. Nonwaivable rights remain unaffected.

Failure to complete required education, C&P preparation or procedural pre-filing review under Section 62, and missed required VA response/filing deadlines, unexcused failure to attend or participate in required VA examinations, or abandonment under Section 63, automatically end coverage, subject to Sections 63–64's express exceptions. Every automatic exclusion requires the documented written determination in Section 64. No new cure period is created by that notice.

62Required education, procedural review and C&P preparation

To maintain MBG, complete the program's assigned education before the applicable filing, complete a procedural document review before each required qualifying claim submission, and complete assigned C&P preparation before a required VA examination. Education or preparation may be satisfied by an included individual/group session or assigned educational materials with a recorded acknowledgment of completion. Keep dated completion records.

Procedural review checks document completion, required fields, signatures, required attachments and submission requirements. Honor Claims does not approve or draft the substance of the client's statements, determine which factual assertions to make, supply medical findings, or act as an accredited representative. The client and qualifying accredited representative retain filing responsibility. A procedural check does not certify all evidence or MBG eligibility.

Honor Claims must identify assigned materials or an included completion route with reasonable opportunity to complete it before the relevant event. If the company fails to make the included route or review available despite timely documented efforts, Section 64 applies; the client should not miss a VA deadline merely to wait for Honor Claims. This exception does not waive Section 50's independently required pre-submission medical evidence or C-file requirements. Required guarantee education cannot be conditioned on purchasing an undisclosed additional service.

63VA responses, examinations and completion — automatic MBG exclusions

Required VA responses: The veteran must monitor VA correspondence and respond by the applicable required deadline, retaining confirmation of submission. Missing a required response deadline without a timely response or VA-approved extension automatically ends MBG, subject to Section 64. Document the request, applicable deadline and actual noncompliance. A record absent from Honor Claims' file alone is not proof that the veteran failed to respond. A timely request for an extension is not itself an approved extension; rely on the documented approval and its deadline.

Required examinations: An unexcused failure to attend a required VA or VA-contracted C&P examination, or refusal to participate in its required evaluation, automatically ends MBG. Provider/VA cancellation, erroneous scheduling information or missing notice must be investigated rather than treated as a substantiated client failure. Coverage is preserved when VA accepts good cause and permits rescheduling, provided the veteran attends and participates in the replacement examination. While a timely documented good-cause/rescheduling request is pending, do not treat the missed appointment as finally unexcused. This examination exception does not create a general illness pause of company-response duties or regular services; those require the bilateral written agreement already specified.

Abandonment: Voluntarily withdrawing a required claim or appeal, missing its required filing/review deadline without an applicable approved extension or legally recognized exception, or refusing to pursue the required process automatically ends MBG. A documented withdrawal necessary to correct a filing or pursue the appropriate procedural route is excepted if the replacement action is timely pursued and supported by the accredited representative's records. Existing documented unavailable-HLR, early attorney-assessment and three-attorney exceptions remain effective. Do not require an unsupported claim or appeal to be filed. Applicable pending-review protections continue.

These are Honor Claims contractual guarantee rules, not a statement that every missed examination or response automatically disqualifies a veteran from VA benefits. Section 64 governs every automatic exclusion. Private medical-credit cancellations and no-shows are governed separately by Section 61.

64Documentation and exceptions for automatic guarantee exclusions

For every automatic MBG exclusion, Honor Claims must issue a written determination identifying the exact incorporated contractual rule, the event and date on which it applies, supporting facts and evidence, and the effect on remaining regular services and accrued rights. Give the determination through the designated working contact channel and retain its delivery record. A company label or an allegation alone is insufficient.

The notice documents an otherwise substantiated exclusion and creates no additional cure period. Consider reasonably available timely submission confirmations, extensions, VA-accepted good cause, corrections and other express exceptions before concluding a failure occurred. The client's dispute rights under Section 33 remain; the initial determination does not bind a court or arbitrator. Coverage is not automatically forfeited while the underlying client-failure finding is unsubstantiated.

A failure caused by Honor Claims' breach of an expressly promised obligation cannot be used by Honor Claims to deny the guarantee to the extent that breach caused the failure. This does not excuse unrelated client noncompliance, waive independent medical/C-file requirements automatically, extend a VA deadline, or require the company to perform services it never promised. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted. Nonwaivable rights and statutory refunds control. Express restoration by bilateral written agreement remains available where otherwise permitted.

65Relevant missing service and personnel records

The client must identify relevant gaps in service treatment, personnel, deployment and related records, make reasonable documented efforts to obtain the missing records through lawful official channels or an accredited representative, and supply obtained records for the required provider review. Keep requests, responses and official unavailability notices.

Officially unavailable records do not by themselves automatically end MBG when reasonable efforts are documented. Each claimed condition must still meet the applicable evidence standard; alternate records count only if they actually satisfy it. This missing-service-records provision does not waive the existing complete/updated C-file requirements, pre-submission timing or early-filing consequences in Section 50. Honor Claims does not guarantee official records-retrieval timelines.

59Outside claims services and representation

During the active MBG period, engaging another paid claims coach, claims agent or attorney for any VA disability matter ends MBG, even for conditions outside the Honor Claims program. Accredited VSO assistance is allowed. The required final-stage VA-accredited attorney assessment and supported Board appeal, including the authorized early assessment, are express exceptions. This restriction affects the contractual guarantee, not the client's right to seek professional help or continue remaining purchased regular services.

43Optional fourth attempt and MBG waiver

A fourth attempt is optional, not a prerequisite to the required attorney stage or refund eligibility. Before electing it, the client and Honor Claims must sign a separate amendment expressly waiving the MBG for this engagement regardless of the fourth outcome. Silence or continued use is not an election. The fourth attempt adds no service entitlement, fees, or extension; only support remaining within the original 365-day service window is included. If elected, all submitted conditions and required HLRs must finish; completing it does not restore the waived guarantee. Nonwaivable rights remain.

23MBG refund procedure

Send a refund request to [email protected] within 90 calendar days after receipt of the final Board decision completing the required unsuccessful process, or receipt of the attorney's written assessment finding no supported further claim or appeal remains. For the three-attorney exception, the 90 days starts when the third qualifying attorney effort is complete, not when Honor Claims later confirms it. No qualifying success may have fulfilled the guarantee.

Include applicable VA decisions, qualifying-attempt/HLR records, attorney assessment or three-attorney-effort documentation, submission confirmations, and reasonably available evidence of applicable eligibility, participation and medical requirements. Records already held by Honor Claims need not be resubmitted. Identify any requirement asserted to be waived, inapplicable, unenforceable or prevented by Honor Claims.

A timely initial request preserves the 90-day filing deadline. If required records are missing, Honor Claims sends a written list; the veteran has 30 calendar days after receiving it to supplement. Honor Claims issues a written approval or denial within 30 calendar days after the request is complete. A denial identifies the specific unmet requirement and supporting facts; Section 33 provides dispute rights. Approved cash refunds are issued within 30 calendar days after approval, less any credit expressly elected under Section 60. No credit election means the approved amount is paid in cash. Refund payment method must be confirmed with the recipient; any legally required method controls.

During a payment dispute, coverage is suspended but the request, supplementation, review and payment deadlines continue running. Coverage restores if Honor Claims retains the full payment; a final reversal returning any portion to the veteran ends coverage. No duplicate recovery is permitted. Section 48's special substitution, review and supplementation periods control where inconsistent with the general procedure.

Cash-refund timing and the 30-day credit-election deadline must be administered together so a timely credit election does not delay the approved cash portion beyond its deadline.

60Approved-refund provider credit

This section governs approved-refund credit; the separate optional documentation-purchase benefit and its MBG waiver are governed by Section 66. After approval of an otherwise payable MBG refund, the veteran has 30 calendar days from approval to authorize in writing cash, eligible preferred-provider credit, or a combination. The credit reduces only the approved cash amount elected; no election means cash. The cash portion remains due within 30 days after approval. Section 48 reductions are applied before allocating the approved refund. The written credit election is final; unused credit cannot be converted back to cash. Credit is nontransferable.

Credit may fund eligible nexus letters, DBQs and evaluations in the preferred provider network, currently via Stern Healthworks. The agreed medical-services package is protected; substitutions must provide equivalent services at no added cost. Credit can be split across eligible services. The veteran pays accepted prices above available credit. The original written election authorizes later bookings without a separate written credit authorization for each use; disclose service prices and obtain acceptance of any amount exceeding credit before booking.

Credit expires 12 months from written election. Booking before expiration preserves the credit committed to that booking through the scheduled service; it does not extend unrelated unused balance. Documented provider-network inability to supply an eligible service extends the affected credit. When the service becomes available again, Honor Claims must give written availability notice; the veteran has until the later of the original expiration date or 30 calendar days after documented receipt of that notice to book. A timely booking preserves the affected credit through the scheduled service. Provider cancellation or renewed provider unavailability continues the provider-delay protection; restoration for another reason does not create a fresh extension. Restored credit receives no new extension, subject to that existing provider-delay exception.

A completed evaluation is charged regardless of findings, including inability to medically support a favorable letter or DBQ. Restore the credit allocated to an undelivered letter/DBQ; evaluation charges remain. Package prices may be used; provider terms must disclose the evaluation/document allocation determining restoration. Clinical independence and no outcome guarantee remain.

Apply Section 61's cancellation/no-show rules. Provider cancellations restore full booking credit without fees and allow rebooking, including an expiration extension where needed for provider delay. Ordinary veteran cancellations or restored credit do not create a fresh expiration period. Cash paid directly to an independent provider is governed by that provider's purchase terms and law.

61Provider-credit appointments, cancellations and no-shows

For appointments booked with approved-refund provider credit, cancellation less than 48 hours before the scheduled appointment incurs a $90 fee deducted from available credit. Cancellation at least 48 hours beforehand permits rebooking or returning the booking amount to the credit balance. A missed appointment without cancellation incurs $340 ($250 plus $90), replacing the earlier $90 no-show proposal. Deduct the applicable fee, restore any remaining booking allocation subject to the existing expiration, and bill the veteran for any fee shortfall if available credit is insufficient. Provider cancellation restores all booking credit without a fee. Disclose these rules before booking; no duplicative cancellation and no-show charge applies to the same appointment. Provider-credit fees remain subject to applicable law; any independent provider's separate fee must be identified and reconciled rather than silently added.

66Optional documentation-purchase credit and MBG waiver

Clients who purchase Honor Claims services paid in full or through an installment plan may elect a preferred-provider medical-documentation benefit. The total benefit for one engagement is capped at $1,250 and may not exceed eligible Honor Claims service payments actually collected, less credit already used or committed under this benefit. Unpaid future installments do not create available credit. Payment-plan clients remain ineligible for the MBG even after payoff; this benefit does not cancel or reduce their remaining service installments.

The benefit applies up to $300 toward each of the first four eligible medical documents and up to $50 toward a fifth, limited in each case by the available balance and the accepted document price. It is not a single $1,250 payment toward one document. Eligibility, the medical-services package and provider purchase details are governed by the preferred provider network source, currently Stern Healthworks. At the current $850 price per eligible document, sufficient credit reduces the veteran's payment to $550 for each of the first four documents and $800 for the fifth. Future providers and prices may change; disclose the actual provider, eligible document, price, credit and remaining client payment before each purchase. Honor Claims does not receive or promise Operation Veterans Edge's standing discounts, and this benefit cannot be stacked with OVE discounts.

The client chooses this option when purchasing the first eligible document, rather than when initially purchasing Honor Claims services. Before applying the first credit, the client and an authorized Honor Claims representative must sign a separate written election identifying the engagement, available benefit, allocation and applicable version. IF AN ACTIVE MBG EXISTS, THIS ELECTION WAIVES THE ENTIRE MBG FOR THE ENGAGEMENT, EVEN WHEN THE FIRST PURCHASE USES ONLY $300 OR LESS. The election must conspicuously state that waiver and be signed before credit is applied. Payment-plan clients have no MBG to waive. Browsing the website, completing the /mbg guide, making an inquiry or purchasing a document without the signed election does not itself constitute this waiver.

This documentation-purchase benefit does not require an approved refund. It is distinct from the approved-refund allocation under Section 60, which retains its own approval, election and cash-payment requirements. No service dollar may be recovered or allocated twice, and using this benefit does not create a cash-refund entitlement. Credit is nontransferable and cannot be redeemed for cash or used to offset Honor Claims service fees or installments. Nonwaivable rights and any separately earned statutory remedy remain.

Section 60's 12-month expiration from written election, timely-booking protection, documented provider-delay extensions, clinical-charge allocation and restoration rules also apply to this credit; Section 61 governs credit-funded appointment cancellations and missed appointments. Keep an itemized balance showing payments collected, credits committed or used, fees and restored amounts. Provider prices, evaluation/document allocations and any amount payable by the veteran must be accepted before booking. A restored credit does not restart the expiration period or automatically restore a waived MBG; any restoration of MBG requires a bilateral signed amendment as otherwise permitted by these Terms.

Independent providers determine medical findings and whether a nexus letter, DBQ or other document is clinically supportable. A completed evaluation may be charged regardless of its findings under the disclosed provider allocation. Purchasing medical documentation does not guarantee a favorable opinion, VA award or rating. This election adds no Honor Claims service entitlement or extension. It applies to purchases incorporating this version; an existing Agreement changes only through the bilateral written amendment required by Section 35.

30Effect of termination

Ending participation does not cancel the agreed fixed purchase price or remaining scheduled installments and creates no voluntary cancellation refund. It does not erase an already-earned refund, nonwaivable rights, or an otherwise continuing MBG under Section 22. Guarantee disqualification and regular-service expiration have the effects expressly stated in these Terms; ending services does not alter VA deadlines or transfer responsibility for them.

12Deliverables and technology

You must review informational outputs for factual accuracy before using them. Where automation or AI is used, outputs may contain errors and do not constitute a medical diagnosis, clinician-signed opinion, VA determination, or legal representation. Actual technology use and data handling will be disclosed consistently with the Privacy Policy.

25No promised VA decision

The VA alone determines service connection, ratings, benefits, effective dates and processing times. Illustrations and past outcomes are not promises. The MBG is a contractual refund remedy if its conditions are met; it is not a promise that the VA will grant a claim. This disclaimer does not cancel Honor Claims’ express MBG obligations.

26Personal use and intellectual property

Honor Claims retains ownership of its preexisting tools and educational materials. You may use purchased materials for your own matter and share relevant materials with your accredited representative, attorney, healthcare professional, or the VA as needed. You may not commercially resell the program or unlawfully access its systems. You retain ownership of the records you provide.

You may not reverse engineer protected nonpublic systems or tools, commercially extract or replicate proprietary processes, use another person's credentials or access restricted systems without authorization, or falsely present Honor Claims materials as work of an accredited attorney, agent, VSO or clinician. This does not prohibit lawful use of public sources, rights that cannot be restricted, or sharing your records and relevant purchased materials with your treating providers, accredited representatives or VA for your own matter.

27Privacy and confidential information

Honor Claims will handle personal, service, and health information under the Privacy Policy at https://honorclaims.ai/privacy, identified by version/date in your signed Agreement, and applicable law. Data access and disclosure must be limited to authorized purposes. These Terms do not authorize public use of your medical history, identity, image, or testimonial. Any such permission requires a separate consent.

The Privacy Policy explains information practices; these Terms at https://honorclaims.ai/terms govern the service and guarantee contract. Neither document silently amends an existing signed Agreement. The client's contractual acknowledgments are recorded in the Agreement. Marketing, SMS and any separately required sensitive-data authorizations remain distinct from those acknowledgments.

28Conduct and reviews

Both parties will communicate respectfully. Threats, harassment, fraud, or unlawful system access may justify appropriate restrictions. Nothing prohibits honest reviews, lawful complaints, cooperation with regulators, or seeking professional advice. A good-faith disagreement is not itself abusive conduct or grounds to deny a refund.

Honor Claims may impose documented, proportionate restrictions on excessive or abusive support use, including consolidating repeated requests, scheduling responses through the designated email channel or restricting threatening contact. Restrictions must identify the conduct and permit a reasonable way to access remaining purchased services where lawful and practicable. Ordinary questions, requests for clarification, truthful reviews or complaints do not by themselves justify restrictions or loss of MBG. A reasonable-use restriction does not create an unstated guarantee exclusion.

31Liability

[PROPOSED FOR LEGAL REVIEW] To the fullest extent permitted by law, Honor Claims LLC's aggregate liability arising from the affected engagement shall not exceed the fees actually paid by the client for that engagement. Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive and exemplary damages are excluded only to the extent lawfully excludable. This does not automatically classify lost or anticipated VA benefits as excluded damages. These limits do not reduce an expressly owed MBG refund or apply to fraud, willful misconduct, gross negligence, nonwaivable statutory remedies, legally protected attorney-fee or cost awards, sanctions, or arbitration charges Honor Claims must pay. No provision limits liability that cannot lawfully be limited.

32Indemnification

[FOR FINAL LEGAL REVIEW] The client is responsible for third-party losses only to the extent caused by the client's fraud, unlawful conduct or infringement through supplied materials. This indemnity excludes losses caused by Honor Claims' own misconduct and creates no fee-shifting entitlement for direct disputes between Honor Claims and the client, which remain governed by Sections 33.9–33.10.

Honor Claims must provide prompt written notice identifying the third-party claim and supporting information; delay reduces the client's obligation only to the extent it materially prejudices the defense. The client may control the defense with qualified counsel reasonably acceptable to Honor Claims; Honor Claims may participate at its own expense. If a material conflict exists or the client fails to assume an appropriate defense after reasonable notice, Honor Claims may control its defense, with recovery limited to reasonable costs lawfully within this indemnity. Both parties reasonably cooperate. No settlement may admit fault by, impose a nonmonetary obligation on, or fail to fully release the other party without that party's written consent; consent may not be unreasonably withheld where its rights are protected. Nonwaivable rights and mandatory consumer protections control.

33Dispute resolution

Disputes follow the process in Sections 33.1–33.12: written notice and 90-day negotiation, eligible individual small-claims proceedings, and binding individual arbitration for other covered disputes. Fairfax County, Virginia is the selected venue, subject to mandatory law and consumer rules. MBG eligibility belongs in the MBG provisions; limits of liability belong in Section 31.

33.1Scope and governing law

This dispute-resolution section applies to disputes between you and Honor Claims LLC arising from the Agreement, services, payments, marketing, cancellation, or the Money-Back Guarantee. Virginia law governs, subject to controlling federal law and nonwaivable consumer protections. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the arbitration agreement where applicable. This section does not govern your claims or appeals before the VA.

33.2Fairfax County venue

Subject to mandatory law and applicable consumer arbitration rules, eligible small-claims proceedings shall be brought in the Fairfax County General District Court, Small Claims Division. Permitted court proceedings shall be brought in a court with jurisdiction in Fairfax County, Virginia, or the federal district court serving Fairfax County. Arbitration shall be conducted remotely or, if an in-person hearing is necessary, at a location permitted by applicable consumer rules. No provision requires travel that controlling law or those rules prohibit.

33.3Written notice and 90-day negotiation

Before initiating a covered proceeding, the complaining party shall send written notice identifying the parties, transaction, disputed conduct, requested resolution, and reasonably available supporting records to [email protected], or to the client's last designated contact address. Both parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute for 90 calendar days after receipt. Additional information does not restart the period. Either party may proceed earlier if the other expressly declines negotiation. A protective filing or request for urgent relief is permitted when needed to preserve a deadline or right; applicable tolling remains available.

33.4Denied MBG refunds and documentation

An MBG denial must identify the applicable eligibility or participation requirement and the facts supporting denial. The client may dispute that determination through this section. The applicable MBG policy governs refund eligibility; this section does not add new eligibility conditions. Each party shall identify its position and reasonably available supporting information. A client may explain why a requirement was satisfied, waived, inapplicable, unenforceable, or prevented by Honor Claims. Honor Claims' internal determination does not bind a court or arbitrator.

33.5Small claims first; arbitration fallback

After the negotiation period, individual disputes within the jurisdiction of the designated small-claims court shall proceed there, subject to statutory removal and appeal rights. Other covered, arbitrable disputes shall proceed through binding individual arbitration. No party must abandon part of a claim to fit the small-claims limit or file an ineligible claim there first. Another forum requires a written agreement signed by both parties, except for proceedings allowed by this section or required by law.

33.6Arbitration procedure

Arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its applicable Consumer Arbitration Rules before one neutral arbitrator. The parties shall have a fair opportunity to present evidence. The arbitrator shall apply applicable substantive law and privileges and issue a reasoned written award. Legally available relief remains subject only to enforceable limitations in this Agreement. If the administrator is unavailable, the parties may agree in writing to a lawful substitute; otherwise a court shall determine the appropriate next step under applicable law. Unavailability caused by a party's nonpayment does not eliminate remedies for that default.

33.7Removal and appeals

Statutory rights to remove a small-claims case before judgment or appeal a judgment are preserved. If a case is removed before judgment, a party may request arbitration of an otherwise arbitrable dispute; the court determines enforceability and any order compelling arbitration. Removal does not automatically transfer the case to arbitration. A statutory appeal proceeds through the Virginia courts unless the parties subsequently sign an agreement to arbitrate that dispute.

33.8Individual proceedings and jury waiver

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, COVERED DISPUTES SHALL PROCEED ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT AS A CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. No class arbitration or joint merits adjudication is authorized without both parties' signed agreement. This does not prohibit administrative coordination of separate individual cases required by applicable rules or waive nonwaivable public remedies. ARBITRATION HAS NO JUDGE OR JURY. For permitted court proceedings, any waiver of jury trial applies only to the extent valid and enforceable under applicable law.

33.9Attorney fees, court costs and expenses

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and controlling AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules, each party bears its own attorney, expert, witness, travel and other litigation expenses. This Agreement creates no prevailing-party entitlement to recover such expenses from Honor Claims. It preserves fee or cost awards required by nonwaivable law and sanctions or cost recovery authorized by applicable law or controlling rules. Honor Claims may request relief for patently frivolous or harassing claims, abusive proceedings or failure to comply with arbitral orders; the court or arbitrator, not Honor Claims alone, determines whether relief is warranted. Losing a claim or making a good-faith complaint does not itself establish frivolousness. This provision controls over inconsistent general collection or indemnity language for direct disputes.

33.10Arbitration charges

The client pays the consumer filing fee assigned to the client under the applicable AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules and fee schedule, subject to required waivers, reductions and applicable law. Honor Claims pays only the administration, hearing and arbitrator charges assigned to it by applicable law and controlling AAA rules; this Agreement does not voluntarily assume charges assigned to the client or the client's attorney fees. Honor Claims shall timely pay its required charges. Honor Claims may request reallocation of arbitration fees, arbitrator compensation and expenses when authorized by applicable law or when the arbitrator finds a claim or counterclaim was filed for harassment or is patently frivolous, as permitted by the controlling AAA rules. No automatic 50/50 division applies. The parties shall use one arbitrator, seek proportionate discovery and the least costly fair procedure permitted by the rules, and use remote or documents-only proceedings where appropriate and authorized, without restricting a required hearing or legally available relief. Existing eligible small-claims options remain. Remedies for failure to pay required arbitration charges are preserved.

33.11Permitted court and government proceedings

This section does not prohibit eligible small-claims proceedings, statutory removal or appeal, proceedings to compel arbitration or enforce, confirm, modify or vacate an award as allowed by law, necessary urgent or provisional relief, claims that cannot lawfully be arbitrated, or complaints to government agencies. These exceptions do not require the other party's consent.

33.12Survival, severability and acknowledgment

This section survives termination of the Agreement. An unenforceable provision shall be severed only to the extent permitted by law without rewriting the parties' essential agreement. An invalid class-arbitration waiver does not authorize class arbitration; any affected claim shall proceed in a court where required by law. Changes require a written agreement or amendment signed by both parties. The signed Agreement shall contain a conspicuous acknowledgment of arbitration, applicable individual-proceeding restrictions, and any enforceable jury waiver. There is no contractual opt-out from this arbitration provision. Nonwaivable rights and the express exceptions in this section remain unaffected.

34Entire agreement

The documents identified in Section 02 contain the parties’ agreement for this purchase. Prior proposals or discussions do not add obligations unless included in those documents. This clause does not waive rights arising from fraud, unlawful misrepresentation, or rights that cannot be waived.

35Amendments signed by both parties

No change, addition, deletion, waiver, or replacement of this Agreement, these incorporated Terms, or the incorporated MBG Policy is effective unless set out in a written amendment or replacement agreement that identifies the affected agreement and is signed by both you and an authorized representative of Honor Claims. Electronic signatures and counterparts may be used as permitted by law.

36No unilateral or informal changes

A website update, posted policy, oral statement, support message, routine email, invoice notation, or continued use does not amend an existing Agreement. An electronic exchange qualifies only if it expressly constitutes the amendment and bears both parties’ signatures. New versions may be offered for new agreements but do not change existing clients’ terms without Section 35 compliance.

37Notices and signatures

Send contractual notices and refund requests to [email protected]; Honor Claims sends notices to the client's designated working email/contact address. A receipt-based period begins on documented actual receipt; a bounced message does not establish receipt. Preserve delivery and acknowledgment records. Electronic signatures must show intent to sign and identify the signer; both parties receive the completed record. Ordinary notices and scheduling communications do not amend the Agreement.

38SMS and contact preferences

If you separately opt in to text messages, message frequency varies and carrier charges may apply. Reply STOP to stop texts and HELP for help, or contact [email protected]. Marketing consent is not required to purchase. Opting out of SMS does not itself void the MBG if you maintain an agreed working service channel.

39General provisions

Unenforceable provisions will be treated as required by applicable law without invalidating the remaining lawful provisions. Delay in enforcing a right is not itself a waiver. No assignment may expand your obligations or reduce accrued refund rights. Events outside reasonable control may excuse delay only to the extent permitted by law; they do not automatically eliminate an earned refund.

The parties are independent contracting parties; the Agreement creates no employment, partnership, joint venture, fiduciary or agency relationship. Independent clinicians and accredited representatives remain responsible for their own professional services and are not made Honor Claims representatives merely by inclusion in a network. No third party acquires rights under this Agreement unless expressly stated or required by law.

Accrued payment obligations, applicable personal-use/IP restrictions, confidentiality, lawful liability limits, third-party indemnity, dispute resolution, and provisions expressly intended to continue survive termination to the extent applicable. An active MBG and provider-credit rights survive regular-service expiration as specified in Sections 22,23,60 and 66, subject to their stated expiration and waiver rules. Survival does not revive a guarantee validly waived or ended. Headings aid navigation and do not change the substantive provisions.

40Client acknowledgment

I acknowledge the fixed educational/support scope; separate independent medical services and costs; the 365-day regular-service window from signing; and my responsibility for VA filings and deadlines. MBG requires separation before signing, Honorable discharges for every completed service period at signing, starting combined rating below 80% without TDIU, and the full $1,250 paid at signing. Payment plans never qualify. At least five conditions must qualify under the contractual counting rules, and every submitted condition must meet applicable evidence requirements.

Any new connection including 0%, individual or combined rating increase, or new/increased SMC after signing can fulfill the guarantee even on unrelated or previously pending claims; temporary increases count. Required attempts, HLRs, attorney assessment/Board appeal and express exceptions apply. The veteran pays independent medical and attorney costs. Regular services ending does not alone end an active guarantee; participation and response requirements continue. A fourth attempt is optional and requires a separate signed guarantee waiver.

The $1,250 refund base is subject to Section 48 policy-change reductions, including to zero. Refund request, supplementation, review and payment deadlines apply. Approved-refund provider credit is optional under Section 60. The separate documentation-purchase benefit under Section 66 is available for paid-in-full and installment purchases, capped at $1,250 and eligible payments actually collected, using up to $300 on each of the first four eligible documents and $50 on a fifth. Electing it at the first document purchase through a separate signed election waives any entire active MBG, even if only part of the benefit is used. Payment plans have no MBG to waive. The signed Agreement records my acknowledgment of the individual AAA arbitration provisions, no contractual opt-out, and the stated legal exceptions.

41Execution

Execution takes place in the signed Service Agreement, which records the client, authorized company signer, signing dates, incorporated Terms and MBG versions, starting rating, discharge information, payment arrangement and service period.