You came home from Army service, but the war didn’t stay in your past. Maybe it’s the hypervigilance that won’t shut off, the nightmares that steal sleep, or the moments when a car backfires, and you’re somewhere else entirely. PTSD doesn’t announce itself with visible scars—and that’s exactly why so many Army Veterans face denials when filing VA disability claims.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants documented proof of something that happens inside your head, and without the right evidence and strategy, even legitimate claims get buried in bureaucracy. Veterans who understand how service connection works—and why mental health evaluations carry so much weight—stand a far better chance of securing benefits.
Contact the Law Office of Sean Kendall. Our experienced legal team has spent decades building successful PTSD claims for Army Veterans nationwide. Our experienced Veterans benefits lawyers understand what evidence transforms denials into approvals—and work with a network of medical experts who provide nexus opinions and evaluations the VA respects.
What Causes PTSD in Army Veterans?
PTSD doesn’t require a single dramatic event. Army service creates multiple pathways to trauma, including:
- Combat experiences. Firefights, IED explosions, witnessing casualties, or handling remains all qualify as traumatic stressors. Even service members who weren’t infantry may have experienced indirect combat trauma through mortar attacks, convoy ambushes, or working in medical facilities treating wounded soldiers.
- Training accidents. Live-fire exercises, vehicle rollovers, parachute malfunctions, or accidents involving heavy equipment create lasting psychological impacts.
- Military sexual trauma (MST). Assault or harassment during service qualifies as a service-connected stressor. The VA has specific protocols for MST-related PTSD claims that allow Veterans to provide alternative evidence.
- Non-combat stressors. Handling human remains, recovering bodies, constant threat awareness, or witnessing aftermath scenes all constitute recognized stressors under VA guidelines.
How Do You Prove Service Connection for Army PTSD?
This is the foundation of every successful VA disability claim. For PTSD specifically, Veterans must establish three elements that work together to demonstrate eligibility.
1. Current PTSD Diagnosis
The VA requires a formal diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. Self-reporting symptoms isn’t enough—you need documentation from a psychiatrist or psychologist who can confirm you meet the diagnostic criteria. Private evaluations carry weight, but VA examiners hold significant influence over claim outcomes.
2. In-Service Stressor Event
You must identify specific incidents that occurred during your service and provide enough detail that the VA can verify them. Combat Veterans have an easier path since service in a combat zone creates a presumption of stressor exposure. For non-combat trauma, you’ll need buddy statements, service records, incident reports, or other corroborating evidence. Personal journals, photographs with dates and locations, or sworn statements from fellow service members who witnessed the events all strengthen your case.
3. Medical Nexus Linking Current Diagnosis to Service
A qualified medical professional must explain how your current PTSD connects to your military service. This nexus opinion typically comes from a VA examiner during a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, though Veterans can also submit independent medical opinions from private providers. The strongest nexus statements explain that it’s “as least as likely as not” that your condition stems from service-connected trauma.
Why Mental Health Evaluations Make or Break Your Claim
The C&P exam is your primary opportunity to demonstrate your PTSD’s severity and impact. Many Veterans underestimate how much weight examiners’ reports carry in the decision-making process. A VA-contracted psychiatrist or psychologist interviews you about symptoms, service history, and current functioning. The examiner uses standardized assessment tools to measure symptom severity and assigns a diagnostic code that corresponds to a disability rating.
Be honest about bad days. Veterans often minimize symptoms during evaluations, either from military conditioning to appear strong or by discussing good days. Describe your worst symptoms and how they affect your life when PTSD is at its peak—this accuracy serves your claim better than downplaying struggles.
Common evaluation pitfalls include:
- Inconsistent symptom reporting. If your description of symptoms contradicts what’s in your medical records or claim paperwork, examiners may question credibility. Consistency across documentation matters.
- Lack of ongoing treatment records. Gaps in mental health care raise red flags. Regular therapy sessions, medication management, or participation in PTSD support groups all demonstrate ongoing impairment.
- Unprepared for specific questions. Examiners ask about specific incidents, symptom frequency, and functional limitations. Walking into a C&P exam without reviewing your service records or thinking through concrete examples weakens your presentation.
What If Your Initial Claim Gets Denied?
Denials are common, but you have options. Here’s what Sean Kendall, Attorney at Law, often recommends:
- Filing a supplemental claim allows you to submit new evidence that addresses the reasons for denial.
- A higher-level review puts a senior reviewer’s eyes on your case to check for errors in the original decision.
- An appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals provides an opportunity for a fresh evaluation of your claim, sometimes including a hearing where you can testify.
Each pathway has specific timeframes and strategic advantages depending on your situation. Many Veterans benefit from representation during the appeals process, particularly when dealing with complex evidence requirements or challenging medical nexus issues.
When PTSD affects your daily life, relationships, and ability to work, getting the rating and benefits you’ve earned isn’t about winning—it's about recognition and support you’ve earned. Whether your claim involves combat trauma, military sexual trauma, or other service-connected stressors, our team can help you fight for the benefits you've earned. Our experienced attorneys understand how to develop strong nexus opinions, locate corroborating evidence for stressors, and present your case in ways that address VA criteria. We know which battles are worth fighting and how to navigate the bureaucratic maze efficiently.
