If you’re a veteran living with a service-connected disability that started or worsened because of your time in the military, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. However, proving the connection between your health condition and your military service isn’t always straightforward. The VA often denies claims when it believes there is not enough medical evidence or that the link between your condition and your service isn’t clear.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, hearing loss, PTSD, or any other service-related issue, understanding how to prove a service-connected disability is the key to getting the benefits you’ve earned.
What Does “Service-Connected” Mean?
To receive VA disability benefits, you must show that your condition is related to your military service. This connection could come from a specific incident, like an injury during training or combat, or from years of repetitive stress, exposure, or demanding physical labor.
Sometimes, a condition might not show up until after discharge. In other cases, a new condition develops because of another service-connected issue, known as a secondary condition. For example, a knee injury that alters your gait could eventually lead to hip or back problems.
In every situation, the goal is to demonstrate that your current diagnosis can reasonably be traced back to your service.
The Three Elements of a Service-Connected Disability Claim
Every successful VA disability claim relies on three key pieces of evidence:
1. Get an Official Diagnosis
Telling the VA that you’re in pain or struggling with symptoms isn’t enough. You’ll need an official diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. This could come from your VA doctor or a private provider.
Your diagnosis should clearly state what condition you have and include documentation like medical imaging, lab tests, or clinical notes. The stronger and more detailed your medical records are, the better your chances of getting approved.
2. Prove That the Event Happened During Service
You’ll also need to show that your condition began during your military service or was made worse by it. The best evidence for this is usually found in your service treatment records, for example, notes from a medical visit after an injury or an incident report.
But even if your condition wasn’t formally recorded while you were serving, that doesn’t mean you can’t qualify. Lay/Witness Statements, or “buddy statements” (VA Form 21-10210) from fellow service members, letters from friends or family, or even your own written statement can help fill in the blanks.
Think back to your time in uniform. Did you experience repeated strain from physical labor, exposure to loud noise, or an accident during training or deployment? Those experiences may be the foundation of your claim.
3. Build a Strong Nexus
The nexus is the piece that connects your diagnosis to your service. It’s where a medical professional explains that your current condition is “at least as likely as not” related to your military experience.
This can come from a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam performed by the VA or from a nexus letter written by a private doctor. The letter should:
- Reference your service and medical history
- Explain how your condition developed
- Offer clear medical reasoning for the connection
Without this step, the VA will almost always deny the claim. A solid nexus is often what separates successful applications from those that get rejected.
How the VA Rates Disabilities
Once your condition is confirmed as service-connected, the VA assigns a disability rating, a percentage that reflects how much the condition affects your ability to work and function in daily life.
Ratings typically range from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. The higher your rating, the greater your monthly compensation. Factors that affect your rating include:
- The severity of your symptoms
- The frequency and duration of flare-ups
- How much the condition limits your movement or ability to work
Supporting medical evidence
For some conditions, the VA may also consider whether you’ve experienced “incapacitating episodes,” periods when you’ve been prescribed bed rest or unable to work due to your symptoms.
Strengthening Your Claim
Even with all the right pieces in place, it’s worth going the extra mile to support your case. Consider including:
- Statements from friends, family, or coworkers describing how your condition affects your life
- Records showing missed work or medical appointments
- Photos, medical journals, or personal notes documenting your symptoms over time
Every bit of credible evidence helps the VA understand the full impact of your condition.
What If Your Claim Is Denied?
Unfortunately, many veterans receive a denial after their first claim. Common reasons include missing medical records, an unclear service connection, or an unfavorable C&P exam.
If that happens, don’t give up. You can:
- File a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence
- Request a Higher-Level Review by a senior VA claims adjudicator
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Working with an experienced veteran’s disability lawyer can make a huge difference. A VA-accredited attorney at VetLaw can identify what went wrong, gather stronger evidence, and guide you through the appeals process.
Get Help Proving Your Service-Connected Disability
Proving a service-connected disability takes patience, persistence, and the right documentation. You don’t have to face the VA on your own.
At VetLaw, we focus solely on veterans’ disability claims. Our attorneys understand how the VA system works, and we’ve helped countless veterans get the benefits they’ve earned.
If you’re struggling to prove your service-connected condition, contact VetLaw today online or at (855) 651-1522 for a FREE case evaluation.
