1. Not Affiliated With the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Salty & Rated (saltyandrated.com) is an independent personal educational project created by Timothy Quintana ("Salty"), a U.S. Navy veteran rated 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) who separated after honorable service. This website, its tools, its calculators, and its social media channels are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or any other government agency.
2. No Individual Claims Assistance (38 U.S.C. § 5901–5905)
Under federal law (Title 38 of the United States Code, Sections 5901 through 5905, and Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 14), no individual may prepare, present, or prosecute a claim before the VA unless they are officially accredited by the VA.
Salty & Rated does not provide direct claims assistance, file claims on behalf of veterans, represent veterans before the VA, review private medical records, or charge fees of any kind for claims guidance. Everything provided on this site is general public education and personal perspective on publicly available government records.
If you need assistance with an individual disability claim, please contact a VA-accredited representative. Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) provide free assistance:
- Search the VA Office of General Counsel (OGC) Accredited Representatives Directory
- Find an accredited VSO through VA.gov (VFW, DAV, American Legion, state VA departments, etc.)
- VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711)
3. Estimates and Educational Purpose Only
Our tools (including the VA Disability Rating Calculator and the AI Prompt for Claims Research) are automated educational aids based strictly on publicly published government regulations and rate tables:
- 38 CFR § 4.25: The Combined Ratings Table ("VA Math").
- 38 CFR § 4.26: Bilateral Factor provisions.
- VA.gov Published Rate Tables: Official monthly compensation schedules published by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
All calculations, projections, and AI-generated prompts are estimates for informational planning only. They do not constitute official VA ratings, adjudication decisions, or entitlement determinations. Actual disability ratings and monthly compensation awards are determined solely by the VA following official review and formal adjudication.
4. No Medical Advice
Nothing on this site or in related content is medical advice or diagnosis. Ratings criteria, diagnostic codes, and Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) are discussed strictly as regulatory standards. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding physical or mental health conditions, treatment, and medical documentation.