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Episode 29: Paul Hylenskil; Marine Veteran, Founder of Quantum Leap AI Academy

Welcome back to the Tactical Transition podcast! In this exciting episode, hosts Cyndi Po and Michele Lewis welcome their first sponsor, Vet Mentor AI, founded by Marine veteran Paul Hylenski. Paul, an aerospace manufacturing leader, author, and TEDx speaker, created the platform after his personal struggles with denied VA disability claims.

Vet Mentor AI is an AI-powered platform designed to simplify and enhance the process of accessing VA disability benefits. It aims to solve real-world problems with cutting-edge technology, bridging military discipline, business innovation, and AI transformation. The platform streamlines and optimizes veterans' claims by leveraging AI to tailor applications according to VA standards, drawing information from complex documents like the CFR and M21 manual.

Key aspects and tools discussed include:

  • The VA claim as an earned benefit: Michele and Cyndi emphasize that VA claims are "something earned, not something given". It's the government making good on its contract with service members and their families.
  • Overcoming Complexity: The VA system is difficult to navigate, often requiring veterans to interpret complex legal documents. Vet Mentor AI acts as an expert, allowing veterans to be "as smart as the smartest VSO. and the smartest lawyer" when filing their own claim.
  • The Kuza Triangle: Paul explains that VA claims legally require proving three elements: 1) a current and relevant diagnosis, 2) a nexus to service, and 3) an inservice event or impact to your work or life. Vet Mentor AI helps veterans structure their claims to meet these requirements, even proving the case utilizing the Kuza triangle in the background.
  • The Claim Optimizer: This crucial tool grades a veteran's claim (1-10) before submission based on how the VA would rate it. It provides specific, simple steps to improve the claim, telling veterans exactly what to focus on, including in their CNP exam. This significantly reduces the chances of denial and wait time.
  • The Nexus Statement Generator: To combat expensive "nexus farms," Vet Mentor AI's tool scrapes the internet for relevant medical studies and writes a draft nexus letter for the veteran's doctor, using legally buffered language like "at least as likely as not" to ease doctor concerns. This helps veterans get nexus statements affordably.
  • Personal Statements: Using VA form 4138 Bravo is vital, especially without extensive medical evidence, to prove the in-service event and how the disability impacts daily life.
  • Addressing Denied Claims: The platform helps veterans understand why a claim was denied and provides a customized strategy for supplemental claims or higher-level reviews. AI can even identify if the VA made a mistake in the denial.
  • Supporting VSOs: Vet Mentor AI aims to level the playing field for VSOs and veteran organizations, providing tools that can 10x their efficiency and ensure a consistent standard of service for veterans.
  • Mission to Eliminate Waste and Exploitation: Paul is passionate about ending the cycle of veterans being exploited by "claim sharks" charging exorbitant fees. The platform offers an affordable, effective alternative.
  • Impact and Hope: Reducing the wait time from months to potentially weeks by submitting optimized claims can reduce the VA backlog, save money, and most importantly, provide hope to veterans, potentially impacting suicide and homelessness rates.

Vet Mentor AI offers monthly ($20) and yearly ($150) plans. The yearly plan includes advanced tools like a doctor avatar for practicing CNP exams, a denied claims assistant, a free resume builder, and a career coach to assist with transition aspects like job interviews and relocation.

Listeners of the Tactical Transition podcast can get the yearly access for $100 by using the coupon code ESELSEMINARS at checkout. This coupon also gives back a portion to the podcast team to help them continue their mission.

Paul's mission is driven by passion and knowledge, focusing on the benefit veterans have earned. He shares a fun fact about himself: He is a certified private pilot and once owned a 1963 Cessna.

Connect with Paul Hylenski and learn more by checking out the links to Vet Mentor AI, his LinkedIn Profile, and YouTube channel.