Top 5 Mistakes Veterans Make on VA Claims (And How to Avoid Them)

Filing a VA disability claim can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first time navigating the process. Unfortunately, simple mistakes can lead to denials, delays, or lower ratings than you deserve.

After helping thousands of veterans through the claims process, we've seen the same errors come up again and again. The good news? They're all avoidable if you know what to watch out for.

Here are the top 5 mistakes veterans make - and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not Establishing a Service Connection

To receive VA disability compensation, you must prove three things:

1. You have a current diagnosed condition
2. You experienced an in-service event, injury, or illness
3. There's a link (nexus) between your current condition and your service

The third part - the nexus - is where many claims fail. Just because you have knee pain now and you were in the military doesn't automatically mean the VA will connect the dots.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Get a medical opinion: Have your doctor write a letter (called a nexus letter) explaining how your current condition is "at least as likely as not" related to your military service.
• Provide evidence: Include service treatment records, buddy statements, deployment records, or anything that documents the in-service event.
• Be specific: Don't just say "I hurt my knee in the Army." Explain when, where, and how it happened. Reference specific incidents.

Example: Instead of "I have back pain from carrying heavy gear," say "I injured my lower back in March 2015 when our convoy hit an IED near Kandahar. I was treated at the base clinic and have had chronic pain ever since. Here's my service treatment record showing the injury."

Mistake 2: Filing Without Current Medical Evidence

The VA requires proof of a current diagnosed condition. If you haven't seen a doctor recently, the VA may deny your claim - even if you clearly have symptoms.

Service treatment records from 10 years ago aren't enough. You need recent evidence showing the condition is still affecting you today.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• See a doctor before filing: Get a current diagnosis. If you've been avoiding the doctor because of cost, use VA healthcare or community health clinics.
• Get it documented: Make sure your medical records clearly state the diagnosis, symptoms, and how the condition impacts your daily life.
• Don't wait: If you're putting off filing because you "haven't had time" to see a doctor, schedule that appointment now. Your effective date (when back pay starts) is based on when you file.

Remember: The VA can't rate what isn't documented. No current diagnosis = no current condition = denied claim.

Mistake 3: Downplaying Symptoms During the C&P Exam

Many veterans have been conditioned to push through pain and never complain. That mindset works in the military, but it will hurt you during a C&P exam.

If you tell the examiner "Yeah, my knee hurts, but it's not that bad" or "I can still do most things," you're likely to get a lower rating - or no rating at all.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Be honest about your worst days: Don't describe your best day. Describe how bad it gets when symptoms flare up.
• Don't minimize: If you struggle with stairs, say so. If you can't sleep through the night, say so. If social situations trigger panic attacks, say so.
• Explain functional limitations: The VA cares about how your condition affects your ability to work and live. Tell them if you can't lift heavy objects, if you need frequent breaks, if you avoid crowds.
• Bring notes: Write down your symptoms, medications, and limitations before the exam so you don't forget anything when you're nervous.

You're not exaggerating by being thorough. You're giving the examiner an accurate picture of your condition. There's a difference between honesty and toughness - during a C&P exam, honesty serves you better.

Mistake 4: Missing Deadlines for Appeals or Additional Evidence

When the VA makes a decision on your claim, you have specific deadlines to appeal or provide new evidence. Miss those deadlines, and you might have to start the entire process over from scratch.

Important Deadlines to Know

• 1 year to appeal: You have one year from the date of the decision letter to file a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal.
• Effective date matters: If you file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, your effective date is the date you file - not your original claim date. If you appeal within one year, you preserve your original effective date.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Read decision letters immediately: Don't let them sit unopened. Check the decision date and mark your calendar for one year from that date.
• Act quickly: If you disagree with a decision, start gathering evidence and file your appeal or supplemental claim as soon as possible.
• Track your deadlines: Set reminders on your phone or calendar. Missing a deadline by even one day can cost you thousands in back pay.

If you're not sure whether to appeal or file a supplemental claim, talk to a VSO. They can help you decide the best path forward.

Mistake 5: Paying for Help You Can Get for Free

There's an entire industry of companies that prey on veterans by charging upfront fees to "help" with VA claims. Some charge $3,000-$5,000 for claim prep services that a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) will do for free.

Here's the truth: Accredited VSOs and VA-accredited attorneys can't charge you upfront fees. If someone is asking for money before you receive benefits, they're likely not properly accredited.

Free Resources You Should Use

• Veterans Service Officers (VSOs): Organizations like DAV, VFW, American Legion, and others provide free help with claims. They're accredited by the VA and experienced with the process.
• VA-accredited attorneys: If your claim goes to appeal, VA-accredited attorneys can help - but they can only charge a percentage of back pay after you win, not upfront.
• Free online tools: Use resources like diagnostic code libraries, rating calculators, and AI-powered coaches to research and prepare your claim yourself.

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Never pay upfront: If someone asks for money before you receive benefits, walk away.
• Check accreditation: Verify anyone helping you is accredited through the VA's website.
• Use free tools first: Most veterans can successfully file claims on their own or with free help from a VSO.

Legitimate help exists, and it's free. Don't let anyone take advantage of you when you're trying to get the benefits you earned.

Bonus Tip: Not Claiming Everything You're Entitled To

One more common mistake: Veterans only claim the "obvious" conditions and forget about secondary conditions or issues they think are "too minor" to bother with.

If you have tinnitus (ringing in the ears), file for it - it's one of the most common service-connected conditions and can get you 10%. If your knee injury caused you to limp, which led to hip and back pain, file for those as secondary conditions. If you're taking medication that causes side effects, those side effects may be compensable.

Don't leave benefits on the table. Claim everything that's service-connected, no matter how small it seems.

Final Thoughts

Filing a VA disability claim doesn't have to be overwhelming. By avoiding these five mistakes - establishing service connection, providing current medical evidence, being honest during exams, meeting deadlines, and using free resources - you significantly improve your chances of getting the rating you deserve.

Remember: The VA disability system exists to compensate you for sacrifices you made in service. You earned these benefits. Don't let simple mistakes stand between you and the support you're entitled to.

Take your time, gather your evidence, and don't be afraid to ask for help from accredited VSOs and free tools. You've got this.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Always consult official VA resources and a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for guidance specific to your situation.