What Evidence Do You Need for a Successful VA Disability Claim?

A veteran who experiences a disability caused by a service-connected medical condition may qualify for VA disability benefits. However, pursuing a successful benefits application will require substantial evidence to prove that a veteran has an eligible disability. Examples of documents and evidence you may need to succeed in a VA disability claim include your service records, medical records, witness testimony, and medical examinations.

Service Records and Proof of Service Connection

A veteran will qualify for VA disability benefits if they can prove they have a service-connected medical condition that causes or aggravates their disabilities. Proving the service-related nature of one’s medical condition will require a veteran to submit service records. Service records can contain critical information such as incident reports of the accident that injured the veteran, action reports documenting the combat the veteran participated in, and duty assignments that document the types of exposure the veteran faced (such as toxic chemical or radiation exposure).

Medical Evidence and Diagnosis

Veterans must present medical evidence to prove they have a disability caused by an injury or medical condition. Medical evidence can include the veteran’s medical records, including records of their diagnoses and the treatment they have received for their disabling injury or condition. The veteran’s medical records will also include diagnostic test results, lab test results, medication charts, and treating provider notes. Providers’ notes can include doctors’ impressions of how the veteran’s condition affects their physical or cognitive capacity and how the veteran’s condition has improved (if at all) in response to treatment or rehabilitation. 

Letters from Medical Providers

In some cases, veterans can ask their treating physicians to provide narrative letters to include with their disability benefits application. A provider’s letter can summarize the information in the veteran’s medical record and provide the physician’s opinion on how the veteran’s condition impairs their working ability or daily activities and whether further treatment may improve the veteran’s condition. Physicians may also provide medical opinions linking the veteran’s condition to their military service, including when the veteran believes their condition occurred due to a traumatic incident or exposure to hazardous substances or conditions during their service. 

Lay Witness Testimony

Veterans may also present lay witness testimony to support their claim that their medical condition has a severely disabling effect on their ability to work or perform daily activities. Lay witness statements from family members, friends, co-workers, or former unit members can describe how the veteran’s health has adversely affected their physical or mental capabilities and quality of life. 

Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams

The VA may ask a veteran who has applied for disability benefits to submit to a compensation & pension exam, where an independent physician examines the veteran and reviews their medical records to provide the VA with an independent assessment of the veteran’s condition. Veterans who receive a request to attend a C&P exam should attend the exam or reschedule it if they cannot make the scheduled date and time; failing to attend an exam may result in the denial of the veteran’s disability benefits application. 

Additional Supporting Evidence

Depending on a veteran’s circumstances, other supporting evidence they may include in their disability benefits application include:

• Employment records, which can help support a veteran’s claim of unemployability due to disability
• Proof of an accepted Social Security disability benefits application, which may have a persuasive effect on the VA claims examiner
• Independent medical examination results obtained by the veteran

Contact a VA Disability Lawyer Today

When you experience physical or mental impairments due to medical conditions connected to your military service, you may qualify for VA disability benefits. Contact Veteran Benefits Law Group today for an initial consultation with a VA disability lawyer to learn more about the evidence and documentation you will need to build a compelling application that gives you the best chance to secure disability benefits.