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When it comes to getting your VA claim approved, protecting yourself from VA rating reductions, or increasing an existing VA rating, regular medical treatment is mission critical!
Many veterans make the mistake of assuming that once they submit their claim, their job is done.
NOT TRUE!
The reality is that consistent medical care and treatment over time are among the most powerful factors in proving your disability to the VA—especially in documenting the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms, as well as their impact on your work, life, and social functioning.
If you’re not getting regular routine treatment for your conditions, you’re not just risking your health, you’re also putting your VA benefits at risk.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Regular medical treatment is essential for winning, protecting, and increasing VA disability benefits. Without continuous treatment and documentation, veterans risk VA claim denials, lower ratings, or rating reductions.
- Medical evidence is the foundation of a strong VA disability claim. The VA relies on treatment records to verify the existence, severity, and service connection of a condition—not just a veteran’s word.
- Consistent treatment helps establish service connection and prove symptom severity. Medical records demonstrate a current diagnosis, a link to military service, and the impact of symptoms on daily life, work, and social functioning.
- Gaps in medical treatment can lead to rating reductions or loss of benefits. If the VA sees a lack of medical care, they may assume the condition has improved and adjust or terminate compensation, especially if your conditions are not static and permanent.
Why Medical Evidence Matters for VA Disability Claims
The VA doesn’t just take a veteran’s word for it when determining disability ratings.
They rely on medical evidence—and that evidence largely comes from your treatment records (e.g., military medical records, VA medical records, and private medical records).
If you’re not seeking regular care or don’t have the proper medical evidence to back up your assertions, your VA claim could get denied or be underrated.
Here’s why regular medical treatment is essential:
- It proves you have a current, ongoing condition – A disability claim must be supported by medical records showing an active diagnosis.
- It strengthens the “nexus” for service connection – Medical records help link your condition to your military service.
- It supports your VA disability rating – The VA assigns disability ratings based on medical evidence showing the severity of your symptoms.
- It protects against rating reductions – If you stop seeking treatment, the VA might conclude that your condition has improved and reduce or terminate your benefits.
Medical Evidence and the VA Disability Process
The VA disability claims process revolves around proof.
You must provide medical documentation that supports your claim and shows how your condition affects your daily life.
The more consistent and detailed your medical records are, the stronger your case will be.
Establishing Service Connection
To receive VA disability benefits, you must prove your condition is related to your military service.
That requires:
- A current diagnosis – You need official medical documentation of your condition.
- Evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness – Your records should show when and how your condition developed.
- A medical nexus – A private healthcare provider or C&P examiner must link your current condition to your time in service.
If you’re not getting regular treatment, you may lack the continuity of symptomatology needed to prove service connection.
Proving Severity of Symptoms for a Higher VA Disability Rating
Once service connection is established, the VA assigns a disability rating based on severity.
The higher the rating, the more compensation you receive.
Your rating depends on:
- Medical records documenting symptoms over time
- Doctors’ notes on limitations and treatments
- Prescription records and ongoing therapies
- Functional impairments noted by healthcare providers
Without consistent medical care, the VA has no reason to believe your condition is severe enough to warrant a higher rating.
Preventing VA Rating Reductions
One of the biggest risks of not seeking regular treatment is a potential VA rating reduction, especially if your conditions are not deemed “static.”
If the VA reviews your case and sees a gap in medical treatment, they may assume:
- Your condition has improved
- You no longer need compensation
- Your symptoms aren’t severe enough to justify your current rating
This can lead to the VA lowering or even terminating your disability benefits.
Regular medical visits create a clear, ongoing record that helps protect your rating.
Pro Tip: Learn more about important VA rating rules, including the 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year rules.
Overcoming Common Barriers to Regular Medical Treatment
Many veterans struggle to keep up with medical treatment for various reasons.
Here’s how to overcome some common challenges:
#1. Difficulty Getting VA Appointments
If you’re struggling to get seen at a VA facility:
- Schedule VA appointments well in advance
- Ask to use VA Community Care if eligible
- Seek treatment at private facilities and submit records to the VA
#2. Believing You Don’t Need Treatment
Some veterans stop seeking treatment because they believe their condition won’t improve.
However, regular treatment isn’t just for healing—it’s also for documentation.
Even if your symptoms are stable, you need ongoing records to maintain your benefits.
#3. Not Knowing Where to Start
If you haven’t seen a doctor in a while, start by:
- Scheduling a VA primary care appointment
- Getting referrals for specialists (if needed)
The key is to build a continuous record of care that supports your VA disability claim.
Other Types of Private Medical Evidence for VA Claims
>> Click here to learn about The POWER of Private Medical Evidence for Disability!
#1. Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
A DBQ is a standardized form that allows private doctors to document your condition in a VA-friendly format.
It helps prove diagnosis and severity, strengthening your claim.
C&P exams can be rushed or inaccurate.
A DBQ from a private doctor offers a detailed, veteran-friendly alternative.
Example: If a VA examiner downplays your back pain, a DBQ with thorough documentation can challenge an unfair rating or denial.
Pro Tip: Submitting a DBQ with your claim might help avoid a VA C&P exam and speed up approval.
#2. Nexus Letters and IMOs
A Nexus Letter is a medical opinion linking your condition to military service.
An IMO offers a detailed analysis of your medical history and records.
VA denials often happen because of a weak service connection.
A strong Nexus Letter or IMO can bridge this gap.
Example: A veteran is denied sleep apnea but submits a Nexus Letter linking it to PTSD-related weight gain—winning the appeal.
Pro Tips: A strong Nexus Letter should include:
- The phrase “at least as likely as not”
- A clear evidence-based medical rationale
- References to relevant medical studies (if applicable)
#3. Independent Psychological Evaluations
For PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health VA claims, a private mental health evaluation can provide strong, detailed evidence.
VA mental health C&P exams can be subjective and inconsistent.
A private evaluation ensures your symptoms are fully documented and explained in-detail.
Example: A veteran receives a low PTSD rating. A private psychologist submits an IMO and DBQ, leading to a higher rating on appeal.
Pro Tips:
- Find a provider experienced in VA claims
- Ensure the evaluation covers work, social, and daily life impact
- Ask for a combined DBQ and Nexus Letter for your mental health condition
#4. Rebuttal Letters
A Rebuttal Letter challenges VA denials or low ratings by pointing out errors or missing evidence in the decision.
Many VA denials happen due to bad C&P exams or overlooked medical records.
A well-written rebuttal letter can demand reconsideration.
Example: A knee condition is denied due to “no in-service event.” A Rebuttal Letter with buddy statements and medical records wins the appeal.
Pro Tips:
- Stay professional and fact-based
- Attach DBQs, Nexus Letters, and medical records
- Address errors using the VA’s decision language
#5. 100% P&T Request Letters
A P&T Request Letter formally asks the VA to grant a Permanent and Total disability rating, securing lifetime benefits.
Even if rated 100%, the VA may not automatically grant P&T, meaning you could face re-evaluations in the future.
Example: A veteran with severe mental health issues as well as other conditions gets a 100% rating but it’s not deemed P&T. A doctor confirms the condition is permanent, securing lifetime benefits.
Pro Tips:
- Have a private doctor confirm your condition is permanent and static.
- Attach DBQs, IMOs, and prior VA decisions
- Mention unemployability (TDIU), if eligible
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
Regular medical treatment to include medical evidence is one of the most important factors in a VA disability claim.
It helps show a current disability, establish service connection, prove severity of symptoms, and can protect your VA benefits from rating reductions.
Veterans who consistently seek treatment and document their conditions are in a much stronger position when dealing with the VA.
If you’re serious about securing and maintaining your VA disability compensation, make regular medical treatment a top priority.
It’s not just about your health, it’s about ensuring you receive the benefits you rightfully earned through your service.
And remember this fellow veterans: YOU SERVED! YOU DESERVE!
These benefits are not a handout; you’ve earned them through your honorable service.
If you’re facing challenges, incompetency proposals, or feel stuck in your VA claim process, you don’t need to fight this battle alone.
At VA Claims Insider, we’re here to help you maximize your benefits and secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
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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.
