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Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider here, and in this post, I’m going to DEBUNK the Top 20 VA Disability Claim MYTHS!
For some reason, these VA disability myths have perpetuated across the veteran community for many years, and I’m going to set the record straight once and for all.
Please share this post so we can help educate more veterans together.
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- VA Claim Myths #1: “VA disability is only for those veterans who are more ‘disabled’ than me. Other veterans deserve benefits, but not me.”
- Myth #2: “If I get VA disability benefits, it will take away from another veteran’s benefits.”
- Myth #3: “I’ve been out of the service too long to apply for VA disability benefits.”
- Myth #4: “I don’t have my conditions diagnosed in my military medical records, so I’ll just get denied.”
- Myth #5: “The VA already gave me a VA disability rating, so I can’t apply again.”
- Myth #6: “My VSO said I should be happy with my VA disability rating percentage and not rock the boat.”
- Myth #7: “I already got denied before so there’s nothing else I can do about it. If I apply again the VA will just deny me.”
- Myth #8: “If I apply for a VA rating increase, the VA will reduce my current rating.”
- Myth #9: “The VA has it out for veterans and intentionally denies their disability claims.”
- Myth #10: “My disabilities aren’t severe enough to get a VA rating.”
- Myth #11: “If I get seen for mental health or have a VA rating for PTSD, the VA will take away my guns.”
- Myth #12: “If I get a VA rating for mental health or have a VA rating for PTSD, I’ll lose my security clearance.”
- Myth #13: “My VA rating for mental health should be rated higher because I was a (insert MOS here).”
- Myth #14: “If I get a VA disability rating (physical condition or mental health), my employer will find out and take negative action against me.
- Myth #15: “If I get a 100% VA rating or P&T status, I can’t work anymore.”
- Myth #16: “Once I get service connected, I must go to the VA for all my medical care and treatment.”
- Myth #17: “I should have a VA rating because the VA medically diagnosed me and is treating me for the condition.”
- Myth #18: “If I go to 90% or 100% the VA will schedule me for a re-examination of all of my service connected disabilities.”
- Myth #19: “There aren’t any additional benefits for my dependents if I get 100% P&T status.”
- Myth #20: “Accredited VSOs and claims agents do what VA Claims Insider does for free.”
- VA Disability Claim Tips Revealed: How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
- Need EXPERT Help With Your VA Disability Claim?
- About the Author
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VA Claim Myths #1: “VA disability is only for those veterans who are more ‘disabled’ than me. Other veterans deserve benefits, but not me.”
Fact: This is a lie we tell ourselves as veterans. YOU SERVED. YOU DESERVE. Almost all veterans are eligible for VA disability benefits, except for those with a dishonorable discharge that hasn’t been upgraded. I give you permission to get what you deserve. You can be rated from 0% to 100% in increments of 10%, depending on whether your disabilities are “service connected,” as well as the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms to include individual work/life impairment.
Myth #2: “If I get VA disability benefits, it will take away from another veteran’s benefits.”
Fact: Your VA disability benefits do not affect any other veteran’s benefits. They are completely independent of one another. If you choose not to get your benefits, the only ones you’re hurting are yourself and your family. Apply online now for free!
Myth #3: “I’ve been out of the service too long to apply for VA disability benefits.”
Fact: There is no statute of limitations on VA disability benefits. You can apply for benefits at any time. There are no restrictions.
Myth #4: “I don’t have my conditions diagnosed in my military medical records, so I’ll just get denied.”
Fact: You don’t need your condition(s) diagnosed in your service treatment records. But they do need to be diagnosed and documented in a medical record, such as VA medical records or private medical records. If you think you have a disability, but don’t yet have it diagnosed, please consider going to see a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Myth #5: “The VA already gave me a VA disability rating, so I can’t apply again.”
Fact: The VA disability process is never over unless you quit. You can apply as many times as you’d like. Maybe your conditions have worsened, so you want to file for an increase. Perhaps you realize you’re eligible for secondary service connection and want to file a secondary claim. DO IT! Just make sure you have medical evidence to back up your assertions.
Myth #6: “My VSO said I should be happy with my VA disability rating percentage and not rock the boat.”
Fact: The only time you should be happy with your VA disability rating percentage is if you believe you’re getting everything you’re legally, morally, ethically, and medically eligible for. If you think you deserve an increase, open a new claim on the VA.gov website and file for it!
Myth #7: “I already got denied before so there’s nothing else I can do about it. If I apply again the VA will just deny me.”
Fact: Previous denials don’t necessarily impact future claims. There are plenty of options if the VA previously denied your claim. You can file a Higher Level Review (HLR) or a Supplemental Claim. If those get denied, you can file a records only Board Appeal or request a video-teleconference with a BVA judge. There is always another path, but you must stay in it and never quit!
Myth #8: “If I apply for a VA rating increase, the VA will reduce my current rating.”
Fact: This is highly unlikely. The VA generally only reviews the specific disability condition(s) you’ve filed for, and nothing else.
Myth #9: “The VA has it out for veterans and intentionally denies their disability claims.”
Fact: The VA does not intentionally deny claims. They’re following law and regulation when reviewing your VA disability claim. Help them help you by submitting a strong claim with the appropriate medical evidence!
Myth #10: “My disabilities aren’t severe enough to get a VA rating.”
Fact: Regardless of the severity of your symptoms, you can still get service connected at the minimum rating of 0% (non-compensable). This is important because if your condition worsens over time, it’s easier to file for an increase on a disability that’s already service connected.
Myth #11: “If I get seen for mental health or have a VA rating for PTSD, the VA will take away my guns.”
Fact: Your VA rating for mental health, to include PTSD, has nothing to do with your guns. By law, the VA can’t take away your guns. It would be an unlawful seizure without a warrant. However, while the VA does not have the authority to take away your guns, or impose any other limitations based on ratings, VA ratings can potentially impact other aspects of a veteran’s life, and I encourage you to consider your own individual circumstances.
Myth #12: “If I get a VA rating for mental health or have a VA rating for PTSD, I’ll lose my security clearance.”
Fact: Your VA rating for mental health, to include PTSD, has nothing to do with your security clearance. If you do have a mental health condition, and are seeking treatment and taking medications, you do need to notify your program security official to update your SF-86. However, doing so won’t impact your security clearance. Please note that while a rating alone may not impact a security clearance, failure to disclose it may be considered a lack of integrity and honesty and CAN impact a security clearance.
Myth #13: “My VA rating for mental health should be rated higher because I was a (insert MOS here).”
Fact: Your VA rating for mental health has nothing to do with your job in the military. It has everything to do with your current frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms and circumstances.
Myth #14: “If I get a VA disability rating (physical condition or mental health), my employer will find out and take negative action against me.
Fact: Your employer has no way of knowing this information unless you tell them. If negative action is taken against you because of your VA disability, it could be a violation under the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Act.
Myth #15: “If I get a 100% VA rating or P&T status, I can’t work anymore.”
Fact: Your VA disability rating percentage does not impact your ability to work. Income and VA disability benefits are independent of one another. The only time work status can be affected is if you’re rated 100 percent Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
Myth #16: “Once I get service connected, I must go to the VA for all my medical care and treatment.”
Fact: You do not need to go to the VA for medical care unless you want to. Many veterans have private insurance and choose to see a private doctor in their local area.
Myth #17: “I should have a VA rating because the VA medically diagnosed me and is treating me for the condition.”
Fact: Just because you receive medical care at the VA for a specific condition does not mean that condition is eligible for VA benefits under the law. All disabilities must be “service connected,” meaning they were caused or made worse by your military service or another service connected disability.
Myth #18: “If I go to 90% or 100% the VA will schedule me for a re-examination of all of my service connected disabilities.”
Fact: Getting a 90% or 100% VA disability does not affect other disability conditions. The VA generally only reviews the specific disability condition(s) you’ve filed for, and nothing else.
Myth #19: “There aren’t any additional benefits for my dependents if I get 100% P&T status.”
Fact: There are tons of additional benefits available to the dependents of veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating. Here’s a list of the 35 best benefits available to veterans with a 100% VA rating.
Myth #20: “Accredited VSOs and claims agents do what VA Claims Insider does for free.”
Fact: Accredited VSOs and claims agents represent veterans with Power of Attorney (POA) before the VA. They prepare and file your VA claim for you, interact with the VA, and act on your behalf. In contrast, VA Claims Insider is an education company, not a VSO, claims agent, or law firm. We are a dedicated team of fellow veterans and veteran advocates (we are not accredited). Our primary focus is on VA disability education (live and on-demand) and medical evidence requirements (DBQs, Nexus Letters, and Mental Health Independent Medical Opinions) to help veterans increase their VA rating (if eligible), win previously denied VA disability benefits (if eligible), and to uncover high-value secondary VA disabilities based upon medical evidence of record (if eligible). VA Claims Insider does not assist veterans with the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA disability claims for VA benefits. Veterans may search for and appoint an accredited VSO by clicking HERE. Veterans may also search and find Accredited attorneys, claims agents, or VSO Representatives by clicking HERE. Click HERE for a complete list of the best VSOs by state.
VA Disability Claim Tips Revealed: How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
To qualify for a higher VA rating, you must get one or more individual condition ratings increased, which will then increase your total combined rating.
If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim on VA.gov by checking the box for an increased evaluation.
Here’s the brutal truth fellow veterans…
So many veterans are stuck, frustrated, and underrated by the VA.
And I’m on a MISSION to change it so you and your family get the VA disability benefits you deserve for serving our country.
If you’re ready to increase your VA rating, regardless of past denials, checkout my brand-new FREE video training for 2023:
“VA CLAIM SECRETS: Top 3 Strategies to WIN Your VA Claim, PROVE Service Connection, and INCREASE Your VA Rating in Less Time!”
[Former VA Raters] Reveal SECRET VA Claim Tips & Strategies for Veterans…
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
