VETS WITH BENEFITS

With Todd Wesche
Reach Out to Todd at Vetus Legal

Vets With Benefits is a podcast for veterans. VWB cuts through red tape and tackles the hard truths about the VA system. Hosted by Todd Wesche, a disabled U.S. veteran and VA-accredited attorney,  

VWB will share real stories, battle-tested strategies, commentary on current events affecting veterans’ benefits, and knowledgeable insight to help veterans claim smarter, fight better, and finally become vets with benefits.

Subscribe and listen on major platform
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Meet Your Host

Todd Wesche is a disabled U.S. veteran and VA-accredited attorney. Vets With Benefits is his personal podcast where he shares real stories, battle-tested strategies, commentary on current events affecting veterans’ benefits, and knowledgeable insight to help veterans claim smarter and fight better. 

Todd has dedicated his professional life to helping veterans, and their dependents and survivors, obtain the VA benefits they were promised, earned, and deserve through the law firm he founded.

Todd has honed his skills for the past 20+ years as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and in private practice, advocating before the Court and VA.

Todd Wesche

Latest Episodes
Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date and make the most of the benefits you’ve earned. For a FREE case review, call 508-205-2503 today! Thousands of veterans are working hard while ignoring the VA benefits that could change their financial future. In this conversation, VA attorney and disabled veteran Todd Wesche joins John Smallwood of Smallwood Wealth to explain what veterans are missing about VA disability compensation, and how it can create long term, tax free income. Veterans who think “I can still work, so I am not disabled” may be walking past seven figures of protected income over time. In clear, plain language, Todd explains ratings, claims, and appeals so veterans can turn tinnitus, sinusitis, back pain, anxiety, PTSD, flat feet, and service-connected scars into real monthly compensation and long term financial stability. John and Todd cover: • What actually qualifies as a disability today • How the 0 to 100 percent rating scale pays • Why your income does not affect compensation • How to start with an Intent to File • The “blue line” scan to spot claimable conditions • When to seek an increase or appeal • How retroactive pay works • Why “Permanent and Total” status can unlock additional benefits • How consistent, tax free payments can help fund debt payoff, a business launch, or long term savings 📌 TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction (04:04) The Mindset That Keeps Veterans From Filing (12:11) Ratings, Payouts, and Why Income Does Not Matter (16:22) Turning Benefits Into Long Term Wealth (26:28) How to Identify Every Eligible VA Claim (31:04) Increases, Appeals, and Retroactive Pay (33:23) When to Seek Legal Help on Contingency If this conversation helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. This episode originally aired on John Smallwood’s channel, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share it here for the Vets With Benefits community. 🔗 Watch the original episode on John Smallwood’s channel: https://youtu.be/TxivHmEuefE 🔗 Learn more about Smallwood's Money Isn't: Website: https://smallwoodassociates.com/ Instagram: @smallwoodwealth LinkedIn: / john-l-smallwood Facebook: / smallwoodwealthmanagement 🔗 Learn more about Todd & Vets with Benefits: Website: https://vetuslegal.com Website: https://vetswithbenefits.us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetswithbenefitspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetswithbenefitspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2b7NBoMWRfOZkZpS38puLy Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vets-with-benefits/id1823034573 DISCLAIMER: This podcast and all its content are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this podcast or these videos creates an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney in your state or jurisdiction or, if for a VA-related matter, a VA-accredited attorney, agent, or representative. Laws can change, and while we do our best to be accurate, always consult with qualified legal counsel or other qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed on this podcast or any of its content. The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of BSCC Media LLC or the guest speaker and do not represent the views of any law firm (including Vetus Legal LLC) or any other individual or entity. Any third-party content or information is used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and/or educational purposes. This podcast and all its content are produced and owned exclusively by BSCC Media LLC. BSCC Media LLC makes no claim of ownership of governmental or third-party materials referenced. This podcast and associated materials are Copyright © 2025 BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. Vets with Benefits is a trademark of BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. “Vetus Legal” and its logo graphics are registered trademarks of Vetus Legal LLC. BSCC Media LLC and this podcast are not affiliated with Vetus Legal LLC and use of its trademarks does not imply endorsement.
VA Disability Explained: Money Vets Are Missing
Justin Cross is a U.S. Navy veteran, former Lockheed Martin flight test engineer, and the founder of Earn It All, a program built on four pillars, health, wealth, victory, and respect. From serving on fighter jets after 9/11 to working on the cutting-edge F-22 and F-35 programs, Justin’s journey reflects discipline, resilience, and a commitment to accountability that he now teaches to veterans and civilians alike. In this episode Justin opens up about his own struggles navigating the VA system, including waiting ten years to file his first claim. He shares how stigma, pride, and lack of information keep many veterans from claiming benefits, and why documenting injuries early is critical for long-term success. From the mindset shift of viewing benefits as a safety net for your family, to understanding what the VA can and cannot provide, Justin’s story shows both the challenges and the victories possible when veterans engage the system. Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date and make the most of the benefits you’ve earned. For a FREE case review, call 508-205-2503 today! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetswithbenefitspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2b7NBoMWRfOZkZpS38puLy Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vets-with-benefits/id1823034573 DISCLAIMER: This podcast and all its content are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this podcast or these videos creates an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney in your state or jurisdiction or, if for a VA-related matter, a VA-accredited attorney, agent, or representative. Laws can change, and while we do our best to be accurate, always consult with qualified legal counsel or other qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed on this podcast or any of its content. The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of BSCC Media LLC or the guest speaker and do not represent the views of any law firm (including Vetus Legal LLC) or any other individual or entity. Any third-party content or information is used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and/or educational purposes. This podcast and all its content are produced and owned exclusively by BSCC Media LLC. BSCC Media LLC makes no claim of ownership of governmental or third-party materials referenced. This podcast and associated materials are Copyright © 2025 BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. Vets with Benefits is a trademark of BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. “Vetus Legal” and its logo graphics are registered trademarks of Vetus Legal LLC. BSCC Media LLC and this podcast are not affiliated with Vetus Legal LLC and use of its trademarks does not imply endorsement.
Is Waiting to File Costing You?
Justin Cross is a U.S. Navy veteran, former Lockheed Martin flight test engineer, and the founder of Earn It All, a program built on four pillars, health, wealth, victory, and respect. From serving on fighter jets after 9/11 to working on the cutting-edge F-22 and F-35 programs, Justin’s journey reflects discipline, resilience, and a commitment to accountability that he now teaches to veterans and civilians alike. In this episode Justin opens up about his own struggles navigating the VA system, including waiting ten years to file his first claim. He shares how stigma, pride, and lack of information keep many veterans from claiming benefits, and why documenting injuries early is critical for long-term success. From the mindset shift of viewing benefits as a safety net for your family, to understanding what the VA can and cannot provide, Justin’s story shows both the challenges and the victories possible when veterans engage the system. Like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to date and make the most of the benefits you’ve earned. For a FREE case review, call 508-205-2503 today! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetswithbenefitspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2b7NBoMWRfOZkZpS38puLy Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vets-with-benefits/id1823034573 DISCLAIMER: This podcast and all its content are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Nothing in this podcast or these videos creates an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney in your state or jurisdiction or, if for a VA-related matter, a VA-accredited attorney, agent, or representative. Laws can change, and while we do our best to be accurate, always consult with qualified legal counsel or other qualified professionals before acting on anything discussed on this podcast or any of its content. The opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of BSCC Media LLC or the guest speaker and do not represent the views of any law firm (including Vetus Legal LLC) or any other individual or entity. Any third-party content or information is used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and/or educational purposes. This podcast and all its content are produced and owned exclusively by BSCC Media LLC. BSCC Media LLC makes no claim of ownership of governmental or third-party materials referenced. This podcast and associated materials are Copyright © 2025 BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. Vets with Benefits is a trademark of BSCC Media LLC. All rights reserved. “Vetus Legal” and its logo graphics are registered trademarks of Vetus Legal LLC. BSCC Media LLC and this podcast are not affiliated with Vetus Legal LLC and use of its trademarks does not imply endorsement.
Is Healing Worth Losing VA Pay?
Subscribe to Channel

Sponsors

This podcast is made possible by our following sponsor:

Visit Website