Support Resources for Veterans During the Holidays 

Chapter 1

Qualifying for a VA disability rating for depression can be difficult for some veterans.

Why?

Because you must be able to prove that your depression was caused or made worse by your active duty military service.

However, it can often be hard to characterize depression.

Often, depression is thought of as an invisible issue since it can’t be seen.

When most people think about VA disability ratings, they consider the physical injuries of a service member.

They may not consider the mental health and well-being of the veteran.

Depression is often masked, and it is not as easy to spot as a physical injury.

In this article, we will explain how to get a VA disability rating for depression.

How to Establish Service-Connection for Depression
One of the important things to remember is that the only way to qualify for a VA rating for depression is to show evidence that the depression directly stems from service.

This logical link or “connection” is otherwise known as a Nexus.

The veteran also needs to show that they have a current diagnosis of depression.

Naturally, the easiest way to show that you or your loved one is clinically depressed is with your medical records (service treatment records, VA medical records, and/or private treatment records).

The easiest way to prove service connection for depression is by having evidence in your active duty service records.

These records will contain any illnesses or injuries during your time in the service, including depression.

Having this information in the service record can go a long way in proving the depression occurred during or shortly after active duty because of something related to the service.

However, not all veterans will have this evidence available in their service records.

Due to the culture of the military, many active-duty personnel often try to hide their depression and other mental health issues from their peers and their leaders.

In cases like this, statements from the veteran and buddy letters from their family members can be MONUMENTAL!

These statements can help to describe when the depression began, as well as how the depression has progressed.

This will often make it easier to highlight how depression is related to their time in service.

Veterans should consider getting a Medical Nexus Letter from a qualified medical professional or an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) that attests that they, as a medical provider, believe that the condition was “at least as likely as not” caused by service in the military.

It’s also important to add that any traumatic event that happened during active duty qualifies, ex: family death, divorce, failing to get promoted.

Download the eBook to Keep Reading!