Terms of Service & Liability Waiver

Vet-Rate.org Legal Framework

Last Updated: January 18, 2026

By using Vet-Rate.org, you accept these terms in full

Introduction

Vet-Rate.org is a free, privacy-first educational platform designed to help United States veterans understand VA disability rating criteria, organize their claim documentation, and navigate the complex veterans benefits system.

This Terms of Service agreement establishes the legal framework governing your use of this platform. These terms are designed to protect both you (the veteran user) and the operators of this service by clearly defining what Vet-Rate.org is, what it is not, and the inherent limitations of self-help legal technology.

Please read these terms carefully. They contain important information about your legal rights, remedies, and obligations, including mandatory liability waivers and disclaimers.

1. Non-Accreditation Clause (38 U.S.C. § 5901)

CRITICAL LEGAL DISCLOSURE:

Vet-Rate.org and its operators are NOT:

  • An accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) under 38 U.S.C. § 5902
  • A licensed attorney or law firm
  • A VA-recognized claims agent under 38 C.F.R. § 14.627
  • A representative authorized to practice before the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Affiliated with, endorsed by, or operating under the authority of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

What Vet-Rate.org Is:

This platform is a self-help educational tool that provides:

  • Access to publicly available VA rating criteria and schedules
  • Organizational tools for documenting symptoms and evidence
  • Templates for structuring claims arguments
  • Educational resources about VA claims processes
  • Research assistance for medical and legal terminology

Your Responsibility:

You remain solely responsible for : filing your own claims, verifying the accuracy of all information, making legal decisions, and ensuring compliance with VA regulations. Vet-Rate.org does not file claims on your behalf, represent you before the VA, or make legal determinations about your eligibility.

Recommendation for Complex Cases:

For complex claims, appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or cases involving legal nuances, it is strongly recommended to work with an accredited representative. Find one at: VA.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp

2. Not Medical Advice or Diagnosis

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:

No feature of Vet-Rate.org-including but not limited to the Nexus Letter Builder, Symptom Database, Secondary Conditions Scout, or any AI-generated content-constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.

What These Tools Do:

The medical-related features are organizational and educational tools that:

  • Help you articulate symptoms using medically-recognized terminology
  • Identify potential secondary conditions based on VA medical literature
  • Organize your symptom documentation for presentation to healthcare providers
  • Provide templates for structuring medical evidence requests
  • Reference publicly available medical research and VA guidelines

What These Tools Do NOT Do:

  • Diagnose medical conditions or diseases
  • Provide medical opinions about causation or etiology
  • Substitute for examination by a licensed healthcare professional
  • Offer treatment recommendations or medical care plans
  • Determine medical eligibility for VA benefits

?? Medical Evidence Requirements:

VA claims require medical opinions from licensed healthcare professionals. You must obtain proper diagnoses, nexus opinions, and medical evidence from qualified physicians, nurse practitioners, or other licensed medical providers. AI-generated content or tool suggestions cannot substitute for these requirements.

Healthcare Provider Relationship: Nothing in Vet-Rate.org creates a physician-patient relationship, therapist-client relationship, or any professional medical relationship. Always consult with your own healthcare providers for medical advice.

3. Artificial Intelligence Limitations & Accuracy Disclaimer

AI-GENERATED CONTENT WARNING:

Portions of this application utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text, suggest language, organize information, and provide research assistance. AI systems can and do make errors.

Known AI Limitations:

Legal Citations:

AI may cite case law that is outdated, overturned, misapplied, or completely fabricated. All legal citations must be independently verified through official sources.

Medical Terminology:

AI may use medical terms imprecisely, suggest inappropriate diagnostic criteria, or misunderstand symptom relationships. Medical content requires healthcare professional validation.

Regulatory Interpretation:

VA regulations and policies change frequently. AI training data may not reflect the most current guidance, policy memos, or regulatory amendments.

Contextual Misunderstanding:

AI may fail to understand the unique context of your situation, leading to suggestions that are technically correct but practically inapplicable to your specific case.

"Hallucinations":

AI can generate plausible-sounding but entirely false information, including fake statistics, non-existent studies, or fabricated legal precedents.

YOUR CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITY:

? Independently verify all AI-generated content

? Cross-reference legal citations with official sources

? Confirm medical information with healthcare professionals

? Review all VA form submissions for accuracy

? Never submit AI-generated content without thorough human review

No Liability for AI Errors: Vet-Rate.org and its operators disclaim all liability for errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in AI-generated content. You use AI-assisted features at your own risk.

4. Data Storage, Volatility & Loss Prevention

PRIVACY-FIRST ARCHITECTURE:

Vet-Rate.org is intentionally designed as a serverless, browser-based application to protect your privacy. Vet-Rate.org does not store your data on any servers, in cloud databases, or in any remote location.

How Your Data Is Stored:

  • All data is stored in your web browser's localStorage
  • Data remains on your local device only
  • No automatic cloud backups are created
  • Data is not transmitted to Vet-Rate.org servers (the webapp doesn't have data servers)
  • Export functionality allows you to save data to your own files

CRITICAL DATA LOSS WARNING

Your data WILL BE PERMANENTLY DELETED if you:

  • Clear your browser cache or browsing data
  • Use browser "Clear All History" features
  • Uninstall or reset your web browser
  • Use private/incognito browsing mode (data won't persist)
  • Use browser cleaning tools or privacy extensions that clear storage
  • Switch to a different browser or device

WE CANNOT RECOVER YOUR DATA. THERE ARE NO SERVER BACKUPS.

?? Data Protection Best Practices:

1. Export Regularly: Use the built-in export features after each work session

2. Multiple Backups: Save exported files to multiple locations (computer, USB drive, cloud storage)

3. Before Browser Maintenance: Always export your data before clearing cache or updating browsers

4. Document Version Control: Date your exports to track different versions

5. Test Imports: Periodically test that your exported files can be successfully re-imported

No Liability for Data Loss: By using Vet-Rate.org, you acknowledge and accept full responsibility for backing up your data. We are not liable for any data loss, regardless of cause, including but not limited to browser issues, technical failures, user error, or circumstances beyond our control.

5. No Guarantees of VA Claim Outcomes

NO OUTCOME GUARANTEES:

Use of Vet-Rate.org, completion of any tools or forms, or implementation of any suggestions does NOT guarantee, promise, or predict any specific outcome from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

What Is NOT Guaranteed:

  • Approval of your VA disability claim
  • Grant of service connection for any condition
  • Any specific disability rating percentage
  • Rating increases on appeal or supplemental claims
  • Faster processing times for your claim
  • Favorable decisions from Rating Veterans Service Representatives (RVSR)
  • Successful outcomes at Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings
  • Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) determinations
  • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) awards

Factors Beyond This App's Control:

VA claim outcomes depend on numerous factors including:

Evidence Quality

Strength and completeness of medical evidence, service records, and lay statements

C&P Exam Results

VA or contractor examination findings and severity ratings

Service Connection Nexus

Medical opinions establishing causation link to military service

Regional Office Practices

Variations in how different VA regional offices interpret evidence

Current Case Law

Evolving legal precedents from Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Policy Changes

Updates to VA rating schedules and policy guidance

What Vet-Rate.org CAN Help With:

  • Understanding VA rating criteria and diagnostic codes
  • Organizing your symptoms and evidence systematically
  • Identifying potential secondary conditions to research
  • Drafting clear, well-structured claim arguments
  • Learning VA claims terminology and processes
  • Preparing for C&P exams with symptom documentation
  • Tracking deadlines and managing claim documentation

Realistic Expectations: The VA disability claims process is complex, time-consuming, and often unpredictable. While Vet-Rate.org provides tools to help you present the strongest possible case, ultimate decisions rest with VA adjudicators applying legal and medical criteria to your specific evidence.

Additional Legal Terms

No Warranty

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. THE WEBAPP DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR VIRUS-FREE.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, VET-RATE.ORG, ITS CREATORS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND OPERATORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF BENEFITS, CLAIM DENIALS, OR LOST OPPORTUNITIES) ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THIS PLATFORM, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Vet-Rate.org and its operators from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the platform, your violation of these terms, or your violation of any third-party rights.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Service is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Vet-Rate.org regarding use of this platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

Modifications to Terms

The webapp reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document. Continued use of Vet-Rate.org after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States. Any disputes shall be resolved in accordance with applicable law, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.

Accessibility Commitment

I strive to make Vet-Rate.org accessible to veterans with disabilities. If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact me through the app so I can work to address them.

Questions About These Terms?

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, need clarification on any provisions, or wish to report issues with the platform, please use the "Contact Us" feature within the application or visit our support resources.

Remember: I cannot provide legal advice about your specific claim. For legal guidance, consult with an accredited VSO or VA-accredited attorney.

Your Acceptance

By using Vet-Rate.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. You specifically acknowledge understanding of:

If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately cease using Vet-Rate.org.