Want to learn how to build a VA claim that wins?
Every year millions of Veterans go through the claims process only to get denied benefits. If you don’t have the proper documentation… chances are your claim will be denied too.
Here’s the truth…
To build a legally sound VA disability claim there are two things you need. The right documentation and insurance claim assistance services. With those covered your claim will have a much better chance of approval.
Interested in learning more? Then read on…
You’ll Learn:
- Why Most VA Claims Get Denied
- Types of Documentation Needed For VA Claims
- Ways An Advocate Can Help With Your VA Claim
- The VA Appeal Process (& Why You Should Consider It)
- How To Build a Winning VA Claim (Steps)
Why Most VA Claims Get Denied
Disability claims get denied for a wide variety of reasons. Many times these reasons aren’t because you don’t qualify for benefits. Instead claims are denied due to missing or incorrect documentation.
Here are the cold hard facts…
According to the VA Office of Accountability, almost 36% of all disability claims were denied in 2024. That means hundreds of thousands of veterans will not receive the benefits they deserve…simply because their file was incomplete.
Some of the most common denial reasons are listed below:
- Medical evidence does not support the claimed disability.
- Veteran failed to establish service connection.
- Application was incomplete or has blank sections.
Veterans encounter a handful of obstacles when building claims that usually lead to denials. However, Claim Climbers helps veterans build stronger, evidence-based claims that meet the VA’s guidelines from the beginning. Here are some of the most common issues:
- Medical evidence: If you don’t have medical evidence that proves you have a current disability, the VA will deny your claim. They need documented proof!
- Service Connection: Veterans also need to show their disability is connected to their military service in some capacity. A note from your doctor saying “Hi, John has PTSD” won’t cut it.
- Paperwork Errors: Don’t make the mistake of leaving fields blank on your application. Any hiccup in processing due to missing information can trigger a denial.
These are easily fixable problems. But most veterans don’t know where to start.
According to a recent VA Inspector General audit, almost 50% of denied PACT Act claims were processed with at least 1 error. That means hundreds of thousands of veterans may have been entitled to benefits but got denied due to avoidable mistakes.
If you want your claim to be among those that are approved, make sure to follow along. This article walks through everything you need to know to file a strong VA claim with supporting documentation.
Types of Documentation Needed For VA Claims
Documents are your best friend when filing a VA disability claim. That’s because if you don’t submit anything the VA cannot approve your claim.
So what documents should you be collecting?
Pretty much anything that shows you have a current disability that was caused by your military service. The VA wants proof that you cannot work (or can’t work to the same capacity) due to injuries suffered while on active duty.
Documents that strengthen your claim include:
- Service treatment records.
- Private medical records.
- Nexus letters from your doctor.
- Buddy statements.
- Employment records.
One important thing to note is that claim denials usually aren’t due to veteran’s qualifications. They are denied because the evidence doesn’t tell the full story.
Lacking medical documentation, having gaps in your service records, or submitting incomplete forms give the VA justification to deny. Make sure you fill in those gaps!
Every document you submit should be pushing the same narrative. You were injured during your service, which has caused you to be disabled now.
Ways An Advocate Can Help With Your VA Claim
Preparing and submitting a VA claim on your own is difficult. If you make a mistake it could set you back weeks or months.
That’s why hiring an advocate to work on your behalf is so important. Advocates can be accredited attorneys, claims agents, or even just a Veterans Service Organisation employee. As long as they know what they’re doing they can drastically change your chances of approval.
An advocate will look at your claim from top to bottom. Identifying weak points and knowledge holes. They can find evidence you didn’t know existed and save you time in the long run.
Advocacy is even more important if you’ve been denied previously. The appeals process can be confusing and many veterans give up. Having someone in your corner to assist you with your appeal can increase your odds of winning.
The VA Appeal Process (& Why You Should Consider It)
Just because your VA claim was denied, doesn’t mean you should give up. In fact, you have a few options when it comes to appealing with VA.
Veterans who wish to appeal their decision can choose from 3 different paths:
- Requesting a decision review from someone higher than the original reviewer. No new evidence can be submitted.
- Filing a supplemental claim with new and relevant evidence. This is the most common route veterans take.
- Filing an appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. You can choose between direct review, submit new evidence, or have a hearing.
What most veterans don’t know is that supplemental claims have about a 50% approval rate. Out of every veteran that submits a supplemental claim with proper evidence, half of them are approved. It’s all about what you submit the second time.
Veterans only have one year to file a supplemental claim from the date of the decision. Failing to appeal within that time frame will cause you to lose your original effective date.
How To Build a Winning VA Claim (Steps)
Filing a VA claim can seem daunting, but if you take it one step at a time the process isn’t bad. When building your claim there are a few things you should do:
- Gather up all medical records. This includes your VA medical records as well as any records from private physicians. Leave no stone unturned.
- Ask your doctor to write you a nexus letter. If they aren’t aware of military connections, find someone who specializes in veteran’s claims.
- Collect buddy statements. Anyone who can verify you suffered from this injury or illness should provide a written statement.
- Double check your claim before you send it. Review every page, making sure there are no errors and that every section is filled out.
- Consider working with an accredited advocate. They’ll help you prepare the claim and catch any errors you may have missed.
Not every veteran that gets approved has the worst medical case. They are the ones that have the best and most detailed documentation.
Bringing It All Together
Truth is, VA disability claims can be denied for a variety of reasons. Some of which are invalid or can be fixed during the appeals process.
As a veteran you deserve to get your benefits after serving your country. Don’t allow your claim to be one of the statistics because you didn’t have the proper documentation.
Remember…
- Denied claims can be appealed with new and/or corrected evidence.
- Learn what common denial reasons are and how you can avoid them.
- Build your claim with strong documentation. Medical records, nexus letters, buddy statements, etc.
- Consider working with an accredited advocate. Someone who can walk you through the process and help you build a strong claim.
- If you get denied, file a Supplemental claim with better evidence within one year of the decision.
Now that you know how to file a legally sound VA claim, it’s time to take action. Go forth and grab those benefits you’ve worked so hard for!