By VetsDisabilityClaims.com  | March 2026   The VA denies approximately 30% of initial disability claims . Many of those denials are completely avoidable.   After helping countless veterans navigate the claims process, I've seen the same mistakes repeated over and over. Here are the top 10 — and exactly how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Filing Without a Current Diagnosis   The problem:  You know something is wrong, but you haven't been officially diagnosed by a medical provider.

By VetsDisabilityClaims.com  | March 2026   Let's get something out of the way first:   Your mental health condition is real. It is valid. And if it's connected to your service, you deserve compensation for it.   Mental health claims are among the most common—and most frequently underrated—VA disability claims. Let's make sure yours is done right. The VA's Approach to Mental Health Ratings   The VA rates all  mental health conditions under the General Rating Formula for Menta

By VetsDisabilityClaims.com  | March 2026   Here's a question most veterans never think to ask:   "Could my service-connected disability be CAUSING other health problems?"   If the answer is yes—and it very often is—you could be entitled to additional compensation through secondary service connection .   This is one of the most powerful and underutilized strategies in VA disability claims. What Is Secondary Service Connection?   A secondary service-connected disability is a c