TLWE: Please excuse me momofssll, but this "sister" evidently thinks she knows it all, just because her husband served, and uncle sits on a board; Sad she didn't serve perhaps she may truly understand some things about the military and Veterans. I know for a fact that a V.A. doctor's diagnosis, does not out-weigh a civilain doctor, your talking out of school on this one. You need to consult with your uncle on that, if he is what you say he is, he can set you straight. Don' try to make someone believe you already have! As far as the military goes don't even try to school me on the military; I spent more than a few years in service myself, my uncles, aunt's, brother's, brother-in-law's, nephew, niece's, 1st, cousin's have served in every major military campaign in every branch of the military, except the Coast Guard, from WW II through present day Iraq, my brother was killed in service, my niece just came out of Baghdad in Janurary 2004, she was in Baghdad before Jessica Lynch was captured. I could go on with military service all night, but you wouldn't fully understand, just because your husband served, does not give you the true understanding, my wife was with me when I served also, she doesn't fully understand either. You had to be there sister. I'm trying to give this family some option when the military cuts him loose with next to nothing thank you, and I know that's what they will do, more likely than not. I know that a civilian doctor has no say in the rating system, however his word of total disability, means exactly that. And it has just as much weight as any V.A. M.D. It sounds like you're suggesting that he will get out with a medical disabilty and start making near an executives salary? I have attempted to make some realistic suggestions, for a family in crises, not giving false hope.