Podcast Summary: Cleared Hot – Episode 389 with Anthony Rivera

Introduction

In Episode 389 of Cleared Hot, host Andy Stumpf engages in an in-depth conversation with Anthony Rivera, a former Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur. The discussion delves into Anthony's military service, his struggles with the VA disability claims process, and the inception of his organization, Vetivise, aimed at streamlining benefits for veterans.

1. Military Background and Transition

Service Tenure and Training

Anthony Rivera served in the Navy SEALs from 2006 to 2017, undergoing rigorous training similar to BUDS and facing multiple deployments. He recounts his early days at Norwich University, where he was part of the Corps of Cadets and Navy ROTC, describing the intense physical and mental challenges he and his peers endured.

Decision to Enlist as Enlisted Personnel

Reflecting on his enlistment, Anthony shares:
“Your enlisted experience is worth its weight in gold.” (05:59)
He opted to join as an enlisted sailor instead of pursuing an officer commission, citing higher chances of staying active within his team if injured during training.

Challenges During Service

Anthony discusses the demanding nature of SEAL training and his role as a corpsman, highlighting the physical toll it took:
“They're really trying to hold on to whatever you get.” (12:59)
He also shares personal anecdotes about grappling with injuries and the lack of comprehensive medical record-keeping in the military.

2. Post-Military Challenges and VA Claims Process

Initial Struggles with Medical Discharge

After serving, Anthony faced significant obstacles when attempting to process his VA claim. He narrates a pivotal moment:
“He laughed at me. No.” (14:00)
Despite frustration with a dismissive medical officer, this encounter ultimately led to his medical retirement and a deeper understanding of the VA system's shortcomings.

Navigating the VA System

Anthony details the opaque and cumbersome nature of the VA claims process:
“There's nothing that you can really do to impact that decision one way or another.” (17:00)
He emphasizes the lack of transparency and the minimal support veterans receive, often leaving them to fend for themselves amidst bureaucratic red tape.

Impact of Inadequate Support

Sharing his own experience, Anthony explains the consequences of delayed and poorly managed VA claims:
“I lived with that for five years with like, I would have diarrhea, no joke, probably like four or five times a day.” (27:47)
Such delays not only hinder financial support but also exacerbate health issues, leaving veterans vulnerable.

3. Founding of Vetivise

Identifying the Problem

Recognizing the inefficiencies and lack of support in the VA system, Anthony founded Vetivise to assist veterans in navigating the complex claims process. He explains the motivation behind the organization:
“We're going to solve that at Vetivise in a couple of months.” (59:40)
The goal is to provide veterans with the tools and guidance needed to submit comprehensive and accurate disability claims.

Developing the Solution with Technology

Leveraging his background in organizational leadership and technology, Anthony describes how Vetivise utilizes AI to streamline claim submissions:
“We've created a system that helps every veteran understand, step by step, how to really put a clean package together.” (75:44)
This AI-powered platform acts as a Sherpa, guiding veterans through each stage of the claim process to ensure they maximize their benefits.

Securing Funding and Partnerships

Anthony discusses the challenges and successes in securing funding for Vetivise:
“We raised, like, $1.75 million last year.” (73:07)
Partnerships with nonprofits and veteran-focused organizations have been crucial in scaling the platform and making it accessible to more veterans without financial burden.

4. The VA Claims Process and Vetivise’s Role

Understanding the VA’s Framework

Anthony provides an overview of the VA disability rating system and the critical steps veterans must undertake to successfully file a claim.
“Use the conditions you've reported and the dependents you've claimed, we'll calculate your estimated VA disability rating and potential monthly compensation. Would you like to calculate your estimate now?” (83:34)

AI Integration and Feature Highlights

Vetivise's platform incorporates several AI-driven features to assist veterans:

• Head to Toe Assessment: Evaluates how a veteran's condition has changed since service.
• Rating Estimator: Calculates potential disability ratings based on current conditions.
• Vetivise Vault: A secure, HIPAA-compliant space for storing essential documents.
• AI Health Summary: Compiles health data to support claims.
• Progress Tracker: Monitors condition changes over time.

Anthony emphasizes the importance of structured, step-by-step guidance:
“It's a thought experiment that was created to kind of understand how a veteran is different.” (82:53)

Addressing Fraud and Integrity

The conversation touches on the existing issues of fraud within the VA system and how Vetivise aims to provide legitimate, transparent support without exploitative practices:
“There are Nexus letter writers... they are really raking in.” (65:39)
Vetivise seeks to offer a reliable alternative by empowering veterans with accurate information and efficient tools.

5. Future Plans and Broader Impact

Expanding Support Beyond Claims

Anthony outlines Vetivise’s vision to extend beyond VA claims to encompass comprehensive healthcare management and mental health support:
“Imagine a scenario where a veteran is using Vetivise and they're going through their head to toe assessment and maybe they're starting to answer questions that are, like, indicating self-harm instances.” (91:53)

Long-Term Goals and Community Building

The platform aims to create a supportive ecosystem for veterans, integrating resources for continuous health monitoring and fostering community connections:
“This is a lifetime app... a safe environment to share where you're at in your own healthcare.” (91:53)

Addressing Nonprofit Challenges

Anthony also discusses the broader challenges faced by nonprofits in effectively utilizing funds and coordinating support efforts, advocating for more strategic and centralized approaches to maximize impact.

Conclusion

Episode 389 of Cleared Hot offers a comprehensive look into the challenges veterans face post-service, particularly regarding the VA disability claims process. Through Anthony Rivera’s experiences and the development of Vetivise, the podcast highlights the need for better support systems and the potential of technology-driven solutions to empower veterans in securing the benefits they deserve.

Notable Quotes:

• “Your enlisted experience is worth its weight in gold.” – Host (05:59)
• “There's nothing that you can really do to impact that decision one way or another.” – Host (17:00)
• “We've created a system that helps every veteran understand, step by step, how to really put a clean package together.” – Host (75:44)
• “Imagine a scenario where a veteran is using Vetivise and they're going through their head to toe assessment and maybe they're starting to answer questions that are, like, indicating self-harm instances.” – Host (91:53)

Resources Mentioned:

• Vetivise Website: vetivise.com
• Honor Foundation: honorfoundation.com
• Got6.org: Supports funding for Vetivise licenses.

For more information on Vetivise and to support their mission, visit vetivise.com or got6.org.