Move It or Lose It | Episode 147

Nate West and Dennis White: Service and Strength Beyond Limits

Host: Kathy Chester
Guests: Nate West & Dennis White
Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Move It or Lose It highlights the unique journey of two military veterans—Nate West and Dennis White—living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Host Kathy Chester, herself an MS warrior and trainer, leads a heartfelt and practical conversation about transitioning from military life after a chronic diagnosis, advocating within the VA system, and the importance of fierce self-advocacy and community for veterans with autoimmune conditions. The episode is rich with actionable advice, honest storytelling, and resources for veterans and their families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Service Backgrounds and MS Diagnoses

• Nate West served 22 years in the Army, discharged in 2022 after a 2019 MS diagnosis, which retrospectively had signs as early as 2013.
  • Quote: "I was really good at ignoring my body. I guess the military training taught me to ignore pain, ignore everything, and just push through."
    (Nate, 03:45)
• Dennis White left the Marines in 1993; his MS was diagnosed much later, in 2014, with a pivotal link to having contracted mono while serving overseas.
• Both shared struggles with memory issues, foot drop, and delayed diagnosis due to either personal denial or fragmented military/civilian medical records.

Notable Segment:

• Nate’s Timeline of Symptoms and Diagnosis
  [04:12–05:14]: Overcompensating for past knee injuries masked his MS symptoms, delaying correct diagnosis.

2. Navigating Medical Discharge and VA Systems

Nate’s Fight for Benefits

• Upon medical discharge, Nate faced a system offering minimal disability compensation, failing to account for service injuries, PTSD, and MS complications.
  • Quote: "They wanted to get me out immediately, and I said no... They were trying to give me 30%, so they weren't factoring in PTSD, three knee surgeries, or anything else that I was exposed to... I just kept on telling them no every chance I got, which—the military is so good at hearing the term no—sarcasm 100% intended."
    (Nate, 06:29–08:20)
• He leveraged the VA’s own documentation to advocate for fairer compensation and retirement, successfully navigating the appeals system with legal support.

Dennis’ Path and Mono Link

• Dennis utilized VA medical resources, learning years later that his MS was likely triggered by mono contracted in Okinawa—now understood as a risk factor.
  • He eventually hired a law firm specializing in veterans’ claims: "They don't take any money from you until they win you a percentage, and then they only take like, 10% of the back pay."
    (Dennis, 18:44)

Actionable Advice:

• Go through reliable VA resources only for information ([09:50]).
• Explain your symptoms on your “worst day” to doctors and for paperwork; be thorough about changing capacity, fatigue, or pain ([10:49]).
• Use the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) to understand and meet the criteria for higher disability ratings ([28:17], [28:51]).

3. Advocacy, Appeals, & Support Systems

Barriers for Cognitively Challenged Veterans

• Kathy raises the issue of vets with brain injuries or cognitive impairments who cannot self-advocate online or through forms ([14:41]).
  • Support Solutions:
    • Lawyer support for active-duty and post-discharge
    • Involvement of family (“second set of eyes”) to help with forms and appeals

Community Support

• Veterans organizations (Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion) plus local groups and patient advocates (though quality varies) can assist ([30:56], [33:17]).
• Importance of having a mentor/veteran who’s successfully navigated the system: "Having somebody on your side that says, I’ve done it... I got the T-shirt."
  (Nate, 31:41–31:52)

4. Devices, Therapies, and the Fight for Access

The MyoCycle and Other DME

• Dennis’s Fight:
  • Discovered the MyoCycle (an FES device for MS/spinal cord injury) after a severe fall, and faced repeated denials from the VA due to lack of familiarity.
  • Persisted through three levels of appeal (the third, to an external board) before finally being approved.
    • Quote: "I spent probably two years... If I knew what I know now, it probably wouldn’t take that long because I wasn’t real familiar with the appeal process."
      (Dennis, 21:10–22:28)
  • With regular use, was able to regain unassisted walking within two months: "By June, I was walking unassisted. So I was, like, on it every day. Doing it every day."
    (Dennis, 26:29–26:32)

Other Medical Equipment

• H Wave, Replexa Plus, and Bioness: all issued by the VA for pain management or mobility, though not always widely known ([34:16], [38:14]).
• Device Adjustment:
  • Importance of tailored programming—residual neuroplastic effects can cause frustration or require readjustment ([40:35]).

Variable Experiences

• Not all VAs are created equal. Some are proactive, others require appeals and education ([33:29], [37:44]).
• Persistence and community/peer support are crucial in accessing advanced treatments and durable medical equipment.

5. The Psychological Toll and Ongoing Support

• Fatigue of Advocacy:
  • Many veterans give up on appeals due to exhaustion—the process itself aggravates MS symptoms ([27:37–28:01]).
• Coping and Community:
  • Kathy, Dennis, and Nate all stress the vital importance of connecting with others who “get it.” Groups like Modified by MS and men’s MS Zoom calls for mutual support and accountability ([38:14–39:21]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Advocacy: "Information is key, and you're using their information against them." (Nate, 29:13)
• On Military Training: "The military is so good at hearing the term no—sarcasm 100% intended." (Nate, 08:20)
• On Support: "Having somebody on your side that says, I’ve done it... I got the T-shirt." (Nate, 31:46)
• On Community: "They help hold you accountable—which I need. So many times... I need another dude to say, stop being a... and get off your ass." (Nate, 39:21–39:34)
• On Adaptive Devices: "I call it my Go Go Gadget machine... the fact that I have it is amazing." (Nate, 41:53)

Important Timestamps

• Nate describes initial symptoms and diagnosis – [03:45–05:14]
• Fighting for fair military discharge and VA rating – [06:29–09:06]
• Advice on advocacy and using the VA (DBQ) – [28:17–29:13]
• Dennis’s MyoCycle journey (discovery through appeals) – [19:01–26:32]
• Support organizations and local resources – [30:56–31:32]
• Discussion on community and peer accountability – [38:14–39:34]
• Challenges of different VA centers – [33:29–37:44]
• Devices and adjusting tech for everyday life – [38:14–41:33]

Tone and Takeaways

Relatable, frank, and supportive, the episode champions persistence and informed self-advocacy, while recognizing the emotional cost. Listeners are encouraged to seek out solid information (especially from the VA), leverage legal and peer resources, and not to give up (“I know how to fight it... and I know how to win”—Nate). Both guests urge veterans to connect with supportive communities for ongoing help.

Resources Mentioned

• VA Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ)
• MyoCycle, H Wave, Replexa Plus, Bioness (durable medical equipment)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, local veteran/military organizations
• Modified by MS (support group, especially men’s calls)

Closing

Kathy underscores the unique challenges and strengths of veterans navigating major diagnoses and the healthcare system, closing with gratitude for Nate and Dennis’s service and determination—and a reminder:

"We do have to move it. That is our best medicine."