What to Do If the VA Denies Your PTSD Claim

Some veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder caused by their military service, including due to exposure to combat or experiencing sexual assault. Unfortunately, veterans with service-connected PTSD may face challenges in securing VA disability benefits due to the difficulties in establishing a PTSD diagnosis and connecting the condition to a veteran’s military service. Veterans who receive denials from the VA for their initial PTSD claims should understand their rights and options for continuing to pursue VA disability benefits. 

Common Reasons for PTSD Claim Denials

Some of the most frequent reasons the VA denies veterans’ PTSD claims include:

• Lack of a formal PTSD diagnosis from a physician or licensed mental health practitioner
• Insufficient evidence linking a veteran’s PTSD diagnosis to an in-service event
• Missing or incomplete supporting documentation, including medical documents and service records
• Lack of corroboration of the veteran’s subjective symptoms claims by the objective medical record

Steps to Take After the VA Denies Your Claim

Steps you should take after receiving a denial notice from the VA rejecting your PTSD claim include:

Review the Denial Letter Carefully

First, a veteran should review the VA’s denial letter thoroughly to understand the evidence and records the VA considered in making its decision and the reasons why it denied the veteran’s PTSD claim. A careful review of the denial letter can help a veteran evaluate the next steps they should take in continuing to pursue their PTSD claim. A review may help a veteran identify evidence or information that the claims reviewer overlooked in rendering a decision or gaps in the evidentiary record that the veteran can supplement with additional documents or information. Thus, veterans can determine whether they need to gather further evidence to support their claims. Veterans can also decide which appeal avenues to pursue to challenge the denial of their PTSD claims. 

Obtain a Nexus Letter

The VA frequently denies PTSD claims due to a lack of evidence establishing a service connection between a veteran’s PTSD and their military service. A veteran can strengthen their claim on appeal by consulting a medical professional to obtain a nexus letter. A nexus letter provides a medical professional’s expert opinion, stated to a specific degree of medical certainty, about the causal connection between a veteran’s condition and their military service. A medical professional who writes a nexus letter can identify service and medical records that evidence the connection between a veteran’s PTSD and their service. 

Consult a VA-Accredited Attorney

Veterans can improve their chances of success in an appeal of a PTSD claim by working with a VA-accredited attorney. A VA disability benefits lawyer can help a veteran build a compelling case on appeal and navigate their legal options for challenging the denial of their PTSD claim. 

File an Appeal

Finally, a veteran should pursue the VA’s administrative appeals process, which provides veterans one year to pursue three avenues for challenging an adverse decision: 

• Supplemental claim: Allows the veteran to submit additional evidence or information not previously considered by the VA.
• Higher-level review: Has a more senior claims reviewer review the veteran’s claim anew; the veteran may not submit new evidence or information. 
• Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals: Has an administrative law judge experienced in veterans’ law review the veteran’s claim; a veteran may present new evidence or information.

Contact a VA Disability Lawyer Today

When the VA has denied your PTSD claim for disability benefits, you need experienced legal counsel to guide you through your options for continuing to pursue the benefits you deserve. Contact Veterans Benefits Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the steps you can take after the VA denies your PTSD claim.