Mistakes To Avoid When Filing A Claim For VA Benefits
Updated: Aug 14
Many veterans are denied benefits due to confusion when it comes to filing a VA claim. Yet,
many veterans repeat the same mistakes that were the reason for their denied benefits.
When filing claims with the VA, veterans often make the same common mistakes that could
be avoided. Below is the list of those common mistakes that if avoided could help your claim.
establishing Service Connection
The employees at VA are processing hundreds of claims every minute to help as many
veterans as possible. This is why, if evidence is not clearly identified, chances of service connection for your claim to be denied. The VA want three things from you:
● What is your claim and what is your current diagnosis?
● The details or proof of the events or injury in the service that caused the disability.
● Is there something that links #1 to #2? This is a nexus letter. (We provide this service)
If a veteran is able to answer the above questions in simple and a direct way, there's a chance
for service connection.
Get To The Point
A common mistake of veterans; statements is that they take too long to get to the point.
TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read) applies heavily for VA claims. This happens when there are
numerous statements that have nothing to do with the issue of the claim. The VA knows you
are a veteran. They know you served the country. They know combat is dangerous. Utilize
your statements to give the information the VA needs the most to prove your claim. A rock solid statement will state the current diagnosis, how it is related to service, and how the symptoms affect you. Don’t Assume That The VA Has Certain Information
The VA does not know everything about you.
It is too big and too complicated to have all the departments talk to one another. Don’t assume “the VA already knows that”. If you believe something is important, tell the VA what it is, why it’s important, and where and when they could find it in your record. The VA employee processing your claim only knows the information on their screen, and unless you help the employee to where there may be more information, that employee will never know.
Don’t Assume The VA Will Look Into Something Without You Telling Them
Do not assume that the VA will hint at anything. The VA will do what you tell them to do. For
instance, you say you have a claim for your back, and you have radiculopathy yet, did not
claim radiculopathy, do not assume the VA will service connect you for radiculopathy.
Receiving Care At A VA Hospital Does Not Imply Service Connection
Keep in mind that just because you are a veteran and a VA hospital treats you doesn’t mean
that your issue will be service connected. The VA hospital gave you care because you are a
veteran. To get service connected, you need to show the VA how ““If you had not served in
the military, you would not have your disability.”
If you need help getting a service connection please contact us or book an
appointment with a claim specialist.