WHY the VA Denies Disability Claims and HOW to Punch Back (Legally & Ethically!)
If you’ve ever received a VA claim denial, you know the pain and frustration that come with it.
Even worse, it feels like the VA is questioning your integrity — and that hurts after all you’ve done for our country.
Denials can feel like a punch in the gut, especially when you know your condition is either due to your military service or another service-connected disability for secondary service connection.
But here’s the truth: the VA doesn’t always get it right — and many denials happen for preventable reasons.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through some of the most common reasons why the VA denies disability claims and, more importantly, how you can fight back legally and ethically to get the benefits you’ve earned.
#1. No Medical Diagnosis of a Current Disability
The VA requires a current medical diagnosis of your claimed disability documented in your medical records.
Without it, the VA has no basis to grant your claim.
Why This Happens:
- Veterans may assume that symptoms alone are enough to qualify for benefits.
- Diagnoses from non-medical personnel, or outdated records, may not meet VA requirements.
How to Punch Back:
- Visit a healthcare provider (VA or private) to get a formal diagnosis documented in your records.
- If the VA denies your claim, check the decision letter to ensure the VA reviewed your most up-to-date medical records.
#2. No Clear Nexus for Service Connection
A nexus is the connection between your disability and your military service.
Without this, the VA won’t grant service connection, even if you have a current diagnosis.
Why This Happens:
- The VA might not see evidence linking your condition to your active-duty service.
- Veterans often lack a Nexus Letter from a qualified medical provider.
How to Punch Back:
- Obtain a Nexus Letter from a private healthcare provider that explains, in detail, how your condition is “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by your military service.
- If filing for secondary service connection, ensure the Nexus Letter clearly explains how your new secondary condition is proximately due to, caused, or aggravated by the current service connected condition.
Pro Tip: A strong Nexus Letter should reference medical research, BVA decisions, your specific medical history, and the providers independent medical opinion and nexus statement to make a compelling case for service connection.
#3. No Symptoms to Warrant a VA Rating Percentage
The VA assigns disability ratings based on the frequency (how often), severity (how bad), and duration (how long) of your symptoms.
Without evidence of how your condition affects your work, life, and social functioning, the VA may deny your claim or assign a lowball rating, such as 0% or 10%.
Why This Happens:
- Veterans fail to document or communicate their symptoms effectively during the claims process.
- C&P examiners may downplay the severity of symptoms in their DBQ report.
How to Punch Back:
- Keep a symptom diary documenting the frequency, severity, and impact of your condition on daily life.
- Be detailed and honest during your C&P exam — describe how your symptoms affect your ability to work, socialize, and perform basic tasks.
- Request a copy of your C&P exam results to ensure accuracy. If the report is incomplete or inaccurate, challenge it with additional medical evidence.
#4. Filing a “Reach” Claim Without Supporting Evidence
A “reach” claim is a disability claim that has little to no credible evidence supporting it, making it unlikely to be approved.
Why This Happens:
- Veterans misunderstand eligibility criteria, especially for direct service connection.
- Claims are filed decades after service, without medical or service record evidence to bridge the gap.
- No or limited private medical evidence showing continuity of symptomatology.
Example:
A veteran files a direct service connection claim for sleep apnea 20 years after leaving the military, but there’s no evidence of sleep apnea or sleep issues in their Service Treatment Records (STRs) or post-service medical records.
How to Punch Back:
- Don’t rely on direct service connection alone. Instead, explore secondary service connection or presumptive service connection if applicable.
Build a Strong Case With:
- Buddy statements from family or fellow service members who can attest to symptoms observed during or shortly after service.
- A Nexus Letter from a medical provider linking your condition to service or a service-connected condition.
Pro Tip: A personalized VA claim strategy is mission critical and can help you decide the best path for service connection (and avoid a painful VA claim denial). Get started with a VA claim expert now at https://vaclaimsinsider.com/elite-membership/
Other Common Reasons for Denied VA Claims
#5. Incomplete or Missing Evidence:
- The VA often denies claims if required documents (e.g., DD-214, medical records) are missing.
How to Punch Back:
- Triple-check your claim before submission. Use the VA’s Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program and submit all evidence upfront.
#6. Failure to Attend a C&P Exam:
- Missing or skipping your C&P exam can result in an automatic denial.
How to Punch Back:
- Call the VA immediately at 1–800–827–1000 if you need to reschedule your C&P exam.
#7. VA Errors or Mistakes:
- The VA can misplace records, misinterpret evidence, or fail to consider submitted evidence.
How to Punch Back:
- File a Higher-Level Review to appeal the decision or provide additional evidence with a Supplemental Claim.
Stop LOSING. Start WINNING.
VA claims denials can be frustrating, but they’re not the end of the road.
By understanding why claims get denied and taking action to strengthen your case, you can fight back and win the benefits you’ve earned.
At my company, VA Claims Insider, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the complex VA claims process with ease.
We help veterans win, service connect, and increase their VA rating faster, even if you’ve already filed, been denied, have given up, or don’t know where to start.
Whether it’s putting together your personalized VA claim strategy, gathering the right medical evidence, getting educated for a C&P exam, or appealing a denial, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
You served. You deserve. Let’s win your VA claim together!
Fellow Veterans: Do You Want to WIN Your VA Claim FASTER?
Need expert-level VA claim help? Call us right now: (281) 533–6777.
Hi fellow veterans, I’m Brian Reese, the VA Claims Insider, and I’m here to help you INCREASE your VA rating FASTER — even if you’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start…
If you’re frustrated, underrated, or simply sick and tired of fighting the VA alone, I’ve got your six!
There’s always another path available to you, and I’m committed to helping you achieve VA claim victory.
My process starts with a one-on-one phone call so we can get to know your unique claim situation.
We’ll identify where you stand now, where you want to go, and how we make it happen with the right medical evidence.
If we nail your VA claim strategy, the tactics become simple and easy!
Through this gap analysis process, we’ll build a personalized VA claim strategy tailored to your needs — designed to give you the best possible chance of securing the VA rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country.
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About the Author
Brian Reese is one of the world’s top VA disability experts and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.
