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Event Series: EmpowerEd

Navigating VA Claims with Confidence

Virtual

May 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT

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Medical Evidence & Advocacy in VA Disability Claims

If you’re a veteran spouse, partner, or caregiver navigating the VA disability process alongside your loved one, this session is designed just for you. Join us as Dr. Marshall Bahr demystifies the critical role of medical evidence in VA claims. Learn how to confidently support your veteran’s journey by understanding how medical documentation is reviewed, what makes evidence effective, and the distinctions between diagnosis, treatment, and causation opinions.

Dr. Bahr will share practical tips for organizing medical records and explain how your involvement as a spouse or caregiver can strengthen the case. Whether you’re just starting or seeking to better advocate for your veteran, this session will provide clarity, actionable insights, and empowerment.

About the Speaker

Dr. Marshall Bahr, MD, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Xterra Health, a veteran-focused medical consulting organization that provides independent medical opinions and evidence-based documentation to support service members navigating the VA disability process. A physician and former U.S. Army Ranger and Special Operations Combat Medic, Dr. Bahr brings firsthand military experience to his clinical and leadership roles. Recognized as a Pat Tillman Scholar, Presidential Leadership Scholar, and inductee of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame (2024), his work is dedicated to improving clarity, access, and integrity within the medical-legal documentation space for veterans and their families.

Xterra Health specializes in providing independent medical opinions and evidence-based documentation to support veterans navigating the VA disability process. Their mission is to enhance access, integrity, and clarity in medical-legal documentation, ensuring that veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.

What You'll Gain

  • A clear understanding of the differences between medical diagnosis, treatment, and VA disability-related opinions.
  • Insight into the types of medical evidence that carry the most weight in VA claims.
  • Practical strategies for organizing and presenting records to support a claim.

This Event is Open To

This event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.

About EmpowerEd

EmpowerEd offers expert-led, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information, practical tools, and trusted resources.

Most sessions are followed by an optional peer support event, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect, connect, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar.

Learn More
Dr. Elisa Borah speaking at Military Social Work & Behavioral Health Conference hosted by the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness conference at UT Austin

Take the First Step Toward Improving Your Wellness–Sign up Today!

Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions

EmpowerEd offers seminar-style sessions led by rotating guest experts. Unlike our peer-based programs, these are more informational than discussion-based and open to the broader community, delivering expert insights, practical tools, and evidence-based wellness strategies.

Let’s Talk About It is an optional peer support event hosted after many of our EmpowerEd seminars, offering space to reflect, connect, and share. While EmpowerEd is expert-led, this event centers on open conversation. Seminar attendance is encouraged but not required; register separately.

For the best experience, we recommend joining from a quiet, distraction-free space and arriving on time, as participants who join more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted. Be sure to have your Zoom link ready from your confirmation email.

You must register at least 72 hours before an event. Most programs are ongoing series with multiple dates. Please check our calendar for upcoming sessions.

No, all events are completely free to attend. We are a grant-based program and believe in removing barriers to connection and support and are proud to offer these sessions at no cost to our community.

No—VSN is based at the University of Texas at Austin’s Institute for Military & Veteran Family Wellness, but we are a nationwide network open to any military-connected individuals in the US and beyond.

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