For veterans seeking service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), understanding the types of evidence required to support their claims is essential to achieving a successful outcome. Compensation for service-connected disabilities is a benefit provided to veterans who have a disability that resulted from an injury or illness that occurred during or was aggravated by their military service. To establish a service connection, the VA requires specific types of evidence to verify the existence of a current disability, what occurred during military service, and the connection between the disability and military service.
In this blog post, we will explore the key categories of evidence needed to support a claim for service-connected compensation, helping veterans and their advocates better navigate the claims process.
1. Medical Evidence of a Current Disability
The first crucial component of a successful service-connected claim is evidence that the veteran has a current disability. This disability must be diagnosable and verifiable through medical documentation. The VA does not provide compensation for past injuries or illnesses unless they continue to affect the veteran’s health and ability to function.
Examples of acceptable medical evidence include:
- Medical records from VA hospitals or private healthcare providers.
- A current diagnosis from a physician that outlines the nature and severity of the condition.
- Test results, such as X-rays, MRIs, or lab work that substantiate the presence of the disability.
A thorough and up-to-date medical history is key to demonstrating that the veteran’s condition is ongoing and significantly impacts their quality of life. Without documentation of a current disability, the VA will deny the claim, regardless of the veteran’s service history.
2. Evidence of an In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness
Next, a veteran must show that something occurred during military service. This can include a physical injury, exposure to a toxic substance, or the onset of a condition. In short, VA is looking for a possible cause of the veteran’s current disability.
Types of in-service evidence can include:
- Service medical records (SMRs) documenting treatment for an injury or illness while in service.
- Incident or accident reports detailing injuries sustained during service.
- Buddy statements from fellow service members who can verify the event or injury.
- Performance evaluations or disciplinary records that reflect physical or emotional changes resulting from an in-service event.
For veterans with conditions that developed later or weren’t formally diagnosed during service, proving a connection can be more difficult. In these cases, the VA may accept lay statements, records from family members, or detailed accounts from service members that describe the onset or symptoms of the condition.
3. Nexus Evidence: Linking the Disability to Military Service
The next component involves proving that the disability is related to an event, injury, or illness that occurred during military service. There must be a connection between the in-service event and the current disability. This step is often referred to as the “nexus” between the disability and service. A veteran needs to provide specific evidence showing that the injury or illness that caused the disability occurred during service or an injury or illness was aggravated while in the military.
Nexus evidence can often be the most challenging to obtain, as it requires medical professionals to establish a clear link between the veteran’s service and their current condition.
Sources of nexus evidence include:
- VA medical examinations (also known as Compensation & Pension, or C&P exams) where a VA doctor reviews the veteran’s service and medical records and provides an opinion on whether the disability is service-connected.
- Private medical opinions from non-VA doctors who review the veteran’s records and provide a written statement affirming that the disability is “at least as likely as not” connected to their military service.
- Medical literature or studies that support the relationship between certain conditions and military service, especially for conditions related to specific exposures (e.g., Agent Orange or burn pits).
Nexus evidence is especially critical for conditions that may not have appeared during service but developed later due to exposures or injuries incurred while in service. The VA requires a clear and compelling explanation from a qualified medical professional to establish the service connection.
4. Evidence of Aggravation (If Applicable)
For a veteran who entered service with a preexisting condition, and the disability worsened or was aggravated beyond its natural progression, evidence of this change must be provided. This is a key requirement for service-connected disability compensation in such cases.
Evidence supporting aggravation claims can include:
- Pre-service medical records documenting the state of the condition before service.
- In-service medical records showing the condition worsened or required additional treatment.
- Expert medical opinions that conclude service or an in-service event exacerbated the preexisting condition.
The burden is on the veteran to show that the condition’s worsening was directly related to their service, and not just the natural progression of the illness or injury.
5. Evidence for Presumptive Service Connection
Some conditions are granted a presumptive service connection, meaning the VA presumes the disability was caused by military service without requiring the same level of direct evidence. This applies to veterans who served in certain circumstances, such as:
- Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who develop specific diseases (e.g., diabetes, Parkinson’s, or certain cancers).
- Gulf War Veterans with undiagnosed illnesses related to their service.
- Veterans exposed to radiation or burn pits who develop certain respiratory or cancer conditions.
In these cases, the veteran must still provide medical evidence of their condition and service records proving their presence in areas or situations where these exposures were likely.
6. Secondary Service Connection Evidence
Secondary service connection applies when a service-connected disability causes or aggravates another condition. Veterans can seek compensation for these secondary conditions if they provide evidence of the causal relationship.
Examples of secondary evidence include:
- Medical records showing how the primary service-connected disability led to or aggravated the secondary condition.
- Physician statements or expert opinions linking the primary condition with the secondary condition.
For example, a veteran with a service-connected knee injury might develop chronic back pain due to altered gait or weight distribution, leading to a secondary service connection claim.
7. Miscellaneous Consideration: Lay Evidence and Statements
In addition to medical and service records, lay evidence can also support a claim in each of the above categories. These statements—often from the veteran, family members, friends and romantic partners, or fellow service members—provide firsthand accounts of when the injury or condition began or how the injury or condition has impacted the veteran’s daily life or work performance.
While lay evidence alone is often not enough to prove service connection, it can play an essential role in supplementing medical records and filling in gaps in service documentation.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Filing a claim for service-connected compensation requires careful preparation and the submission of solid, well-organized evidence. Veterans must provide clear documentation of a current disability, an in-service event or injury, and a nexus between the two. Additionally, in cases of preexisting conditions or secondary disabilities, specific forms of evidence are necessary to support these claims.At the Veterans Benefit Group of Goodman Allen Donnelly, our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping veterans navigate the complex VA claims process. We work closely with veterans to ensure that they gather the necessary evidence and provide the strongest possible case for service-connected disability compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
