Yes, you can file a VA disability claim without submitting evidence upfront.
However, it’s important to understand how the VA handles these types of underdeveloped claims and the potential consequences of not providing evidence from the beginning of the VA claim process.
In my opinion, filing a VA claim without evidence is a very bad strategy and should be avoided at all costs.
Remember this saying from your time in the military: “If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.”
The same concept applies to your VA disability claim.
Without proper documentation, the VA may not acknowledge or validate your condition, making it harder to get your claim approved.
You’re more likely to get your VA claim approved faster by filing a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) online with all the necessary evidence the VA needs to decide your claim.
Okay, let’s explore some key concepts and the types of evidence needed to prove your VA disability claim.
Pro Tip: From my experience educating millions of veterans over the past decade, I can confidently say that submitting all required evidence upfront significantly boosts your chances of getting your VA claim approved. At the very least, you must provide medical evidence. Don’t expect the VA to gather the evidence for you—regardless of their duty to assist—help them help you by being proactive and thorough!
Table of Contents
WATCH: Why Filing a VA Claim Without Evidence is a BAD IDEA!
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Summary of Key Points
- Submitting Evidence Upfront is Crucial: While you can file a VA claim without submitting evidence, doing so significantly increases the risk of delays and denials. Providing all necessary evidence from the start, such as medical records and service treatment records (STRs), helps expedite the process and increases your chances of approval.
- Fully Developed Claim (FDC) is the Best Strategy: Filing a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) with all supporting evidence and documentation upfront gives the VA everything it needs to make a faster more accurate rating decision. This strategy is highly recommended!
- Importance of Medical Evidence: Medical evidence wins VA claims. Period. At the very least, you need to provide medical records that document your condition. Without medical evidence, the VA will struggle to understand whether you have the condition, how it’s related to your military service, and your current symptoms, making it harder to win your disability claim.
- Proactive Approach is Essential: Veterans should not rely on the VA to collect all the necessary evidence. Don’t leave your VA claim to chance. Taking a proactive role by gathering and submitting as much supporting documentation as possible, including lay evidence, buddy statements, and private medical records, will improve your chances of success.
What Happens If I File a VA Disability Claim Without Evidence?
If you file a VA claim without submitting supporting evidence, the VA will still review your contention and process it.
However, without relevant evidence, such as medical records or service treatment records (STRs), the process may take longer, and the VA might face difficulty in verifying the condition, type of service connection, and your severity of symptoms.
Important: The burden is on you to prove that your disability is linked to your military service!
For example, if you claim back pain due to lifting heavy equipment while serving in the military but don’t submit any medical documentation or treatment records, the VA might schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate your condition.
But without evidence of the back injury, the VA might struggle to establish a link between your current condition and your military service.
In this example, it means the VA would likely deny service-connected VA disability benefits.
Types of Evidence You Can Submit With Your VA Disability Claim
Here is a detailed list of the types of evidence that can support a veteran’s VA disability claim:
1. Service Treatment Records (STRs)
- Medical records created during military service that document injuries, illnesses, or medical treatments received while on active duty.
2. Personnel Records
- Military records that document your duties, assignments, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
3. Private Medical Records
- Health records from civilian doctors, hospitals, or specialists that detail diagnoses, treatments, and medical conditions post-service.
4. VA Medical Records
- Documentation of medical treatments or diagnoses from VA hospitals or clinics.
5. VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam Reports
- Results from medical evaluations ordered by the VA to assess your condition for disability rating purposes.
6. Buddy Statements
- Statements from fellow service members or others who witnessed your injury, illness, or its effects during or after your service.
7. Lay Evidence
- Personal statements or affidavits from you, your family, friends, or coworkers about the impact of your disability on your life and activities.
8. Military Unit Records or Histories
- Documentation of operations, incidents, or deployments your unit was involved in that could support the occurrence of in-service events.
9. Combat or Deployment Records
- Specific records documenting your involvement in combat or hazardous duty, especially for combat-related injuries.
10. Photographs or Videos
- Visual evidence, such as photos or videos showing injuries, conditions, or hazardous environments encountered during service.
11. Newspaper Clippings
- Articles reporting on military events, accidents, or injuries relevant to your claim.
12. Personal Journals or Diaries
- Written entries describing the daily experiences, pain, symptoms, or events related to an in-service injury or medical condition.
13. Letters or Emails
- Personal correspondence sent during service describing injuries, medical conditions, or incidents that occurred.
14. Performance Evaluations
- Military performance reviews that may indicate a decline in physical or mental capacity during or after an in-service event or injury.
15. Social Security Administration (SSA) Records
- Documents related to any SSA disability benefits you may receive, especially if related to the same conditions claimed with the VA.
16. Veteran Center Records
- Counseling or therapy records from VA-affiliated centers providing mental health or PTSD treatment.
17. Public Health Service Records
- Medical records from the Public Health Service if you served in a related capacity.
18. Department of Labor Records
- Documentation of injuries or conditions related to work, especially if they overlap with your service-related disability.
19. Insurance or Workers’ Compensation Records
- Documentation of claims made for injuries or illnesses related to work or service.
20. Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
- Detailed medical evaluations submitted by VA or private healthcare providers specifically for VA claims.
21. Nexus Letters
- Nexus Letters from private healthcare providers that can help explain the link between your condition and your military service or how your condition was caused or made worse by another service-connected disability for secondary service connection.
22. Test Results or Diagnostic Reports
- Imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRIs), blood tests, or any other medical test results that can substantiate a claim for a medical condition.
23. Legal Documents
- Documents related to military discharge, such as medical board proceedings or court documents if related to service-connected injuries.
24. Line of Duty Determinations
- Official reports that investigate and conclude whether an injury or illness occurred in the line of duty.
25. Accident or Incident Reports
- Reports documenting specific events that led to injuries or disabilities during military service.
26. Employment Records
- Evidence of work-related impairments, such as job performance reviews, showing how a service-related disability affects your ability to work.
27. School Records
- Transcripts or records showing how a disability may have impacted educational pursuits.
28. Military Decorations or Awards
- Recognition such as Purple Heart medals or commendations that can support evidence of injury or illness in combat or hazardous situations.
29. Statements from Therapists or Counselors
- Documentation from mental health professionals, including therapy records, diagnosing conditions like PTSD or depression related to service.
30. Medical Treatises or Studies
- Published research articles that link certain conditions with military service or hazardous exposures.
31. Police Reports
- If an off-duty incident is related to your service, police records can help validate claims.
32. Employment Accommodation Requests
- Documents showing the need for workplace accommodations due to your service-connected disability.
33. Prescription Records
- Medical records showing a history of prescribed treatments or medications related to your disability.
34. Financial or Tax Documents
- Evidence showing financial hardship due to the inability to work as a result of a service-related disability.
35. Religious Leader or Community Member Statements
- Statements from clergy or community leaders supporting your claim by attesting to changes in behavior, ability, or health after service.
36. Non-VA Government Records
- Other federal or state agency records (e.g., National Archives) that may hold military or medical information relevant to your claim.
Understanding the 5 Types of VA Service Connection
In general, to qualify for VA disability benefits, a veteran must prove their condition is “service-connected.”
Here’s a simplified explanation of the different types of VA service-connection:
#1. Direct Service Connection
“The Most Common and Straightforward Route”
Direct service connection means your disability or condition is directly linked to something that happened during your military service.
Eligibility:
- Current Diagnosis: You must have a current medical condition.
- In-Service Event: Something in your service (injury, illness, event) caused it.
- Nexus: A medical opinion must confirm that your current condition is connected to the event during your service.
- Symptoms: You should currently be experiencing current symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration.
- Example: A veteran injures their knee during service and later develops arthritis.
- Pro Tip: Make sure your service records document the incident, or get buddy statements if you didn’t report it at the time. A nexus letter from a doctor can also be important if your records don’t clearly show the link between service and your condition.
#2. Presumptive Service Connection
“When the VA Does the Heavy Lifting”
The VA presumes that certain illnesses are related to military service, especially if you served in specific locations or were exposed to harmful substances.
Eligibility:
- Your condition must be on the VA’s presumptive list.
- Example: A Vietnam veteran diagnosed with heart disease may get automatic service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Pro Tip: Keep track of any changes to the list of presumptive conditions and update your records accordingly. All you need is a medical diagnosis and proof of your service (DD 214) — no need for a nexus letter.
#3. Secondary Service Connection
“When One Condition Leads to Another”
Secondary service connection exists when a service-connected condition causes or aggravates a new, related condition that isn’t already service-connected.
Eligibility:
- Primary Condition: You should already have a service-connected disability rated at 0% or more.
- Secondary Condition: The secondary condition must result from the first.
- Example: A veteran with service-connected diabetes develops nerve damage (neuropathy).
- Pro Tip: Watch for new symptoms related to your existing service-connected condition and get a nexus letter from a doctor explaining the connection between the two.
#4. Service Connection by Aggravation
“When Service Makes a Pre-Existing Condition Worse”
Service connection by aggravation applies when a pre-existing condition you had before joining the military gets worse because of your service.
It can also involve secondary service connection via aggravation.
Eligibility:
- You had the condition before military service.
- Your military service made it worse.
- Example: A veteran with pre-existing asthma finds it worsens significantly during service.
- Pro Tip: Ensure your pre-existing condition is well-documented in your records. Get a nexus letter that explains how your condition worsened beyond its natural progression due to your service.
#5. Service Connection Based on 38 U.S.C. 1151
“When VA Treatment Causes Harm”
1151 claims are for veterans who develop a new disability or worsen an existing condition due to VA-provided care, like surgeries or treatments.
Eligibility:
- The condition must have been caused by VA healthcare or rehabilitation services.
- You must have an additional disability because of the treatment.
- Example: A veteran suffers complications from a surgery performed by the VA, leading to a new disability.
- Pro Tip: Collect all records from the VA treatment and consult a medical expert to assess whether the VA’s care led to your condition. You’ll want to get a nexus letter explaining how the treatment caused your disability.
The VA’s Reasonable Doubt Rule Explained
The reasonable doubt rule, also known as the VA’s benefit of the doubt rule, is a key part of the VA’s approach to evaluating claims.
If the evidence for and against a claim is equally balanced, the VA must resolve doubt in favor of the veteran.
Key Points of the Reasonable Doubt Rule
- Low Standard of Evidence: Evidence must only show that it’s “as likely as not” that the claim is valid (a 50/50 chance).
- Broad Interpretation: The VA applies a broad interpretation of the evidence, resolving uncertainties in favor of the veteran.
- Applies to Both Service Connection and Disability Rating: The rule affects whether a disability is service-connected and how severe the disability is rated.
Example from Gilbert v. Derwinski (1990)
In the case of Gilbert v. Derwinski, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) compared this rule to the principle in baseball where the “tie goes to the runner.”
In this context, if the evidence for and against a claim is equally balanced, the decision must favor the veteran.
The court emphasized that evaluating evidence in veterans’ claims isn’t about mathematical precision.
Some pieces of evidence may carry more weight than others, depending on the specific facts of the case.
The VA’s Duty to Assist: What It Actually Means for Veterans
If you don’t provide all the necessary evidence for the VA to review and rate your claim, the VA has a legal obligation to help veterans gather the required evidence to support their claims.
This is known as the duty to assist.
Once you file a claim, the VA will attempt to collect relevant records, including but not limited to:
- Service Treatment Records (STRs) (these are your military medical records from active duty)
- VA medical and other records (including Vet Center records and authorized VA medical treatment or examinations at a non-VA facility)
- Private medical records (if provided at claim submission or, for certain private records, you may need to sign a release form to allow the VA to access them)
- Other service department records (such as personnel records, line-of-duty determinations, inpatient treatment records or behavioral health records) that are not included with the STRs
- Social Security Administration (SSA) records
- Public Health Service records, and
- Department of Labor records.
Pro Tip: If certain records are unavailable, the VA will keep making reasonable efforts to retrieve them or may schedule a C&P exam if needed. However, the quicker you can assist the VA in obtaining and submitting these records, the smoother and faster your claim process will be!
The Importance of Lay Evidence in VA Disability Claims
What if your service treatment records are missing, or your condition wasn’t properly documented during your time in the military?
Don’t worry—there are still ways to build evidence for your VA disability claim.
Even without medical records, you can provide lay evidence, such as personal statements or buddy statements from fellow service members who witnessed your injury or condition during service.
Lay evidence can be critical, especially when service records are incomplete or when an in-service event was not documented at the time.
What is Lay Evidence?
Lay evidence refers to statements or testimony provided by individuals who lack specialized training or education, such as medical or legal professionals.
This could be the veteran themselves, family members, friends, or coworkers.
In the context of VA claims, lay evidence is valuable for providing personal observations and firsthand knowledge about the veteran’s symptoms, in-service events, or how their disability affects their daily life.
It’s important to note that while lay evidence can be helpful, it doesn’t replace expert medical opinions but instead complements them by providing a non-expert’s perspective.
Lay evidence is often used to describe observable symptoms and experiences rather than to offer a diagnosis or medical interpretation.
Does the VA Accept Lay Evidence for Proof of a VA Disability?
Yes, the VA accepts lay evidence, particularly for combat veterans or former prisoners of war (FPOWs), under certain conditions:
- The evidence must be satisfactory (credible, believable, and consistent).
- It must align with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of combat or FPOW internment.
- Lay evidence can prevail even without official records if it’s consistent with the expected circumstances of combat.
For non-combat veterans, lay evidence must be weighed against the overall evidence in the claim.
- Lay statements are considered alongside service records, and the credibility of such evidence may be questioned if no military records support the claim.
Examples of VA Credibility Determinations
VA claims adjudicators will assess the credibility of lay evidence:
- Credible Example: A veteran claims a back injury while loading cargo onto an aircraft in July 2002. Service records confirm their role as a loadmaster during that period, making this evidence credible.
- Non-Credible Example: A veteran claims they injured their back during parachute jumps as an Army clerk from 1980 to 1983. However, personnel records show no involvement in parachuting activities, making this claim non-credible.
Competent Evidence: What It Means for Your VA Claim
For evidence to support a VA claim, it must not only be credible but also competent.
Competence refers to whether the person providing the evidence is qualified to make such statements.
- Competent Medical Evidence: Provided by medical professionals qualified to give diagnoses or opinions. This includes evidence from medical research or medical treatises. This is the best kind of evidence for a VA claim. Why? Because medical evidence wins VA disability claims!
- Competent Lay Evidence: Non-expert evidence provided by individuals who have personal knowledge of the facts. Lay evidence is competent as long as it doesn’t require medical expertise. This could be a statement in support of a claim written by you, a buddy letter from someone you served with, etc.
Is the VA Required to Order a C&P Exam or Get a Medical Opinion for My Claim?
The VA is not always required to order a C&P exam or obtain a medical opinion for your VA claim.
When a veteran hasn’t provided enough evidence to support their VA disability claim, the VA has an obligation under the “duty to assist” to help gather the necessary information.
However, the VA will only order a C&P exam if certain criteria are met:
- Current Disability or Symptoms: The veteran must provide competent evidence showing a current disability or persistent/recurrent symptoms. If the veteran fails to provide any evidence that a condition exists, no exam will be ordered. For example, a claim for knee pain without medical records or a personal statement describing symptoms may be insufficient.
- In-Service Event, Injury, or Disease: There needs to be evidence of an in-service event, injury, or disease that caused or aggravated the disability. If no such evidence is present (e.g., no service treatment records, no credible lay evidence), an exam might not be warranted.
- Nexus or Connection: The veteran must provide some indication that their current disability may be related to their military service. If no such link is suggested, whether through medical evidence or lay statements, the VA may deny the claim without an exam.
In short, if there is a complete lack of evidence to establish these three elements—current disability, in-service event, or nexus—the VA may not schedule an exam, and the claim could be denied based on insufficient evidence.
However, if there’s any indication of these elements, even if the evidence is weak, the VA typically errs on the side of ordering an exam to assist in the decision-making process.
There are other instances where the VA is not required to order a C&P exam if sufficient medical or lay evidence already exists to make a decision.
If the available evidence is adequate (e.g., a completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ)), no additional exam may be necessary.
However, a C&P exam is typically required when:
- There is insufficient medical or lay evidence to decide the claim.
- The veteran has provided competent evidence of a current disability or symptoms.
- An in-service event, injury, or disease has been documented or credible lay evidence supports it.
- There is an indication that the condition may be linked to service.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
While it is possible to file a VA disability claim without submitting evidence upfront, doing so can lead to significant delays and reduce your chances of success.
The VA will assist in gathering evidence, but providing as much documentation as possible—such as medical records, personal statements, or buddy statements—greatly improves your chances of approval and speeds up the process.
In my experience, filing a VA claim without evidence is a poor strategy and should be avoided whenever possible.
Instead, you’re much more likely to have your claim approved faster by filing a Fully Developed Claim (FDC).
This approach ensures the VA has all the necessary evidence to decide your claim at submission, eliminating unnecessary delays and giving you the best shot at success.
The more proactive and thorough you are, the more likely you are to get the VA rating and compensation you deserve faster!
VA Claim Without Evidence: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I file a VA claim without submitting evidence upfront?
Yes, you can file a VA disability claim without submitting evidence upfront. However, this is not recommended because the VA will take longer to gather the necessary evidence on your behalf. The burden of proving that your condition is service-connected rests on the veteran, and providing supporting documentation early in the process improves your chances of a quicker and favorable decision. Without evidence, the VA will still process the claim, but delays are likely, and the chance of denial may increase due to the lack of initial documentation.
2. What is considered evidence for a VA disability claim?
VA disability claim evidence includes any documentation that can help prove that your current disability is connected to your military service. This may include service treatment records (STRs), military personnel records, VA medical records, private medical records, lay statements, “buddy” statements, VA Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), and medical opinions or nexus letters that establish a link between your in-service event and your current condition.
3. What is a Fully Developed Claim (FDC), and why is it recommended?
A Fully Developed Claim (FDC) is a type of VA claim where the veteran submits all the required evidence upfront, allowing the VA to process the claim faster. In this process, the veteran gathers all supporting evidence, such as medical records, buddy statements, and private treatment records, and submits them alongside the initial claim. Filing an FDC is recommended because it avoids delays and increases the likelihood of a quicker decision, as the VA does not need to spend additional time gathering evidence.
4. What are the three key elements needed to establish direct service connection in a VA claim?
To establish direct service connection for a VA disability claim, three key elements are required:
- Current diagnosis: You must have a current medical diagnosis of the disability.
- In-service event or injury: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
- Nexus: A medical nexus is required, linking the in-service event to your current disability. This can often be established through medical opinions or nexus letters.
5. What is “lay evidence,” and how can it be used in a VA claim?
Lay evidence refers to statements or observations provided by the veteran or non-experts, such as family members, friends, or fellow service members. This evidence can describe the veteran’s symptoms, in-service incidents, or the impact of the condition on the veteran’s life. Lay evidence is particularly helpful when service treatment records are missing or when an in-service event wasn’t well-documented. The VA considers lay evidence credible if it is consistent with other facts in the claim.
6. Can I get my VA claim approved with just lay evidence?
Yes, lay evidence can be sufficient to support a VA disability claim, particularly for combat veterans or when service records are missing. However, the lay evidence must be credible, consistent, and detailed. For non-combat veterans, lay evidence is weighed against all other evidence in the claim, including medical records and service treatment records. In many cases, medical evidence is still necessary to establish a nexus between the in-service event and the current disability.
7. What is a nexus letter, and why is it important?
A nexus letter is a document from a private healthcare provider that explains the link between a veteran’s current disability and an in-service event, injury, or illness. The nexus letter plays a critical role in claims for direct service connection, secondary service connection, and claims for aggravation of pre-existing conditions. A well-written nexus letter can make the difference between approval and denial of a VA claim.
8. What is presumptive service connection, and how does it work?
Presumptive service connection is when the VA assumes that certain disabilities are related to military service based on specific factors, such as location of service or exposure to toxins, without the veteran needing to prove a direct link. For example, Vietnam veterans who develop ischemic heart disease are presumed to have service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange. Veterans need only provide medical evidence of the current diagnosis and proof of qualifying service, such as their DD 214.
9. Can I submit new evidence after filing my claim?
Yes, you can submit new evidence after filing your claim, but it’s best to include all evidence upfront to avoid delays. If additional evidence becomes available after your claim is filed, you can submit it to the VA, but this may restart part of the claims process. The more complete your evidence is at the time of filing, the smoother the process will be.
10. What is the VA’s duty to assist in a disability claim?
The VA has a legal obligation under the duty to assist to help veterans gather evidence to support their claim. This includes obtaining service records, VA medical records, and scheduling Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams. However, the veteran must cooperate by providing information and authorizing the release of private medical records. The VA’s duty to assist does not relieve the veteran of the responsibility to submit necessary evidence when possible.
11. What happens if my service records are lost or destroyed?
If your service records are lost or destroyed, the VA will attempt to locate alternative records, such as unit records, morning reports, or pay records, to verify your service and in-service events. You can also provide lay evidence, such as buddy statements, personal journals, and other forms of proof. If records cannot be found, the VA will apply the benefit of the doubt rule in favor of the veteran, particularly in cases where the evidence is equally balanced for and against the claim.
12. What is the VA’s reasonable doubt rule?
The reasonable doubt rule is a VA policy that favors the veteran when there is an equal amount of evidence supporting and opposing the claim. If the evidence for and against the claim is evenly balanced, the VA must resolve the doubt in the veteran’s favor. This rule applies to both service connection and disability ratings and is a reflection of the VA’s mission to assist veterans.
13. How does the VA assess the credibility of evidence?
The VA assesses the credibility of evidence by evaluating its consistency, plausibility, and whether it aligns with other facts in the claim. The VA may consider factors such as whether the evidence is facially plausible, consistent with other evidence, internally consistent, and free from contradictions. The demeanor and potential bias of the individual providing the evidence may also be considered.
14. What is competent evidence, and how does it differ from credible evidence?
Competent evidence refers to evidence that comes from a source qualified to provide it. For example, medical opinions must come from trained healthcare professionals. Credible evidence, on the other hand, refers to evidence that is believable or convincing. Competent evidence can still be deemed non-credible if it’s inconsistent or implausible based on the facts of the case.
15. What types of evidence can be used to support a secondary service connection claim?
For secondary service connection claims, evidence must show that a primary service-connected condition caused or aggravated a secondary condition. This can include medical records, treatment notes, nexus letters, and lay evidence. A clear medical nexus must link the secondary condition to the primary service-connected disability.
16. What is the role of the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam in a VA claim?
The C&P exam is a medical examination ordered by the VA to assess the veteran’s current condition and determine the extent of the disability. The results of this exam are used to decide whether to grant or deny a VA claim and, if approved, to determine the appropriate disability rating. The exam helps provide medical evidence for the claim when other records are insufficient.
17. When does the VA not have to order an exam for my claim?
The VA is not required to order a C&P exam if there is already sufficient medical evidence on record to make a decision on the claim. For example, if the evidence includes adequate medical records or a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by a qualified provider, the VA may not need an additional exam. In increased evaluation claims, if the existing medical records are sufficient, an exam may not be necessary.
18. Can the VA deny my claim if I don’t submit any evidence?
Yes, the VA can deny your claim if there is insufficient evidence to support service connection or the existence of a current disability. The VA has a duty to assist in gathering evidence, but it’s ultimately the veteran’s responsibility to provide enough documentation to establish a valid claim. Filing a claim without evidence significantly reduces the likelihood of success.
19. How important is medical evidence for my VA claim?
Medical evidence is mission critical! Without it, your VA disability claim is on shaky ground. Here’s why: the VA needs proof that your condition exists, is current, and is directly connected to your military service. This proof comes primarily in the form of medical evidence. Without this critical documentation, the VA has nothing to verify your claims, making it much more likely your claim will be denied. If you do nothing else right in the VA disability claims process, make sure you have proof of your condition documented in a medical record!
20. How long do I have to submit evidence after filing my VA claim?
You should submit as much evidence as possible at the time of your VA claim submission to strengthen your case and expedite the decision-making process. If additional evidence becomes available before your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, submit it to the VA as soon as possible. If your claim is denied or you receive an unfavorable decision, you generally have one year from the date of the VA’s decision to submit additional evidence and file an appeal.
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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.
