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VA Disability Attorneys for Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans with Mental Health Conditions
There are more than 6.5 military veterans in the United States that receive disability compensation for service-connected injuries, illnesses, and medical conditions — and an estimated 2.8 million of those veterans receive disability for mental health conditions. That number represents roughly 43% of veterans who receive disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — and a significant number of those veterans served in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 20 years of combat operations for post-9/11 veterans has helped us better understand that not all wounds are visible, and not all wounds are so easy to treat. Post-9/11 veterans who are battling anxiety, depression, or PTSD may be eligible for disability compensation and VA Benefits Attorneys can help as premier VA disability attorneys for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with mental health conditions.
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Veterans with service-connected mental health conditions battle the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, chronic anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse disorders, chronic adjustment disorder, and more in their day-to-day life. With an estimated 11% – 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans battling these mental health disorders, it has become a primary concern for many veterans that are rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130). It can be a challenge for veterans to get the disability rating and compensation that they deserve for these mental health disorders, and a VA disability attorney — like VA Benefits Attorneys powered by Tabak Law — can help veterans navigate the disability claims process as a nationwide legal resource.
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Legal Support and Services for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with Mental Health Disability Claims
More than 20 years of war has left scars on many soldiers, sailors, and Marines who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The physical and mental trauma of combat, physical and neurological damage due to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), the strain of continuous combat operations, and re-entry into civilian life have left many post-9/11 veterans to battle anxiety, depression, and PTSD on their own. When it comes to the legal elements of veteran disability compensation, VA Benefits Attorneys is here to serve as your legal support system.
Establish Service Connection
The first step Iraq and Afghanistan veterans need to take to receive disability benefits is to establish a service connection for your mental health condition. This service connection relies on three basic elements — a current diagnosis of an official mental health condition by a medical professional, a documented event or stressor the veteran dealt with in the military, and a medical nexus provided by your medical provider.
Collect Evidence and Documents
Veterans who file a disability claim for a service-connected mental health condition must be able to provide the records, documents, and evidence needed to support their claim. This evidence serves as the foundation of your claim and can include copies of your military service records, buddy statements, incident reports for the event that led to your mental health condition, a medical nexus letter, and any additional medical documents. Veterans can submit VA Form 21-0781 to identify relevant records, and may need to schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for their claim.
Appeal Denied Disability Claims
An estimated 30% – 50% of initial VA disability claims for service-connected mental health conditions are denied. Veteran disability claims can be denied for a variety of reasons that include a lack of medical evidence, a missing diagnosis, or an unsatisfactory C&P exam. When an initial disability claim is denied, it is not the end of the road and veterans can file an appeal with the help of a veteran disability attorney. There are three methods of appeal — requesting a higher-level review, filing a supplemental claim, or submitting your appeal to a veteran law judge. The VA Benefits Attorneys legal team can help you determine the best course of action if your claim is denied.
Are You Eligible for a VA Disability Claim for Mental Health Conditions?
What Are Mental Health Conditions for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans?
Many post-9/11 veterans — those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) — battle service-connected mental health conditions. Many of these mental health conditions are tied to traumatic events in Iraq and Afghanistan and can include PTSD, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, depression, and more. The symptoms of these mental health conditions can include an inability to sleep, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional detachment, avoidance, fatigue, panic attacks, substance abuse, and others that have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of veterans.
Veteran mental health conditions are rated based on the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Health Disorders 38 CFR § 4.130. These mental health conditions make veterans eligible for disability ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on the specific rating criteria and symptoms for each condition. Many post-9/11 veterans are impacted by multiple mental health conditions — like depression and anxiety — but the Department of Veterans Affairs will provide a rating based on the severity of symptoms and impairment, no matter what the source and diagnosis may be. Veterans who believe they have received a disability rating that is too low can appeal the decision with the help of a VA disability attorney.
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Get Started On Your Mental Health Disability Claim
Where do you start when you choose to file a disability claim for a mental health condition? This is a question that many veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan ask when they return home and are battling depression, anxiety, or PTSD. It is not always easy to navigate the disability claims process without help — but an experienced disability attorney will help you cut through the red tape and receive the benefits that you have earned with your years of service.
What Sets VA Benefits Attorneys Apart?
Why Choose VA Benefits Attorneys?
Proven Advocates for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans: Armed with the national resources of Tabak Law, the VA Benefits Attorneys legal team will hold the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accountable to the service members it promised to protect and support. We know that the trauma of combat does more than compromise your physical health — it can take a tremendous toll on your mental health. Whether you are filing an initial claim or appealing a denied one for PTSD, anxiety, or depression, we will provide the legal support and advocacy needed to secure every dollar you earned.
Experts in Mental Health Claims for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans: Getting the most out of your disability benefits requires an in-depth understanding of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders put in place by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and secondary service-connection rules. The VA Benefits Attorneys legal team will pushback on denied claims, help you compile and submit strong medical evidence, and overturn flawed C&P exam findings to help you achieve a positive result.
Customized Legal Strategy for Every Veteran: Physical trauma and psychological strain are deeply connected to combat operations, and many post-9/11 veterans have endured multiple deployments. To help ensure you receive the legal support you need, we conduct in-depth audits of your service records and medical files to establish secondary claims, close evidence gaps, and push your combined rating toward 100% or Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
Free Case Reviews for Veterans: You served your country — and we believe you shouldn’t have to drain your savings just to learn your legal rights. If you are struggling with a low disability rating, have had your claim denied, or suffer from mental health symptoms that prevent you from working, our legal team is here to help. We will provide you with 100% free and confidential case evaluations so you can make informed decisions about your future with no costs.
The VA Benefits Attorneys legal team is backed and supported by Tabak Law. We have made it our mission to be a trusted legal resource for our disabled veterans nationwide. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with service-connected mental health conditions may need help to receive the benefits they have earned, and we are dedicated to providing these veterans with the legal help and support they need to get the compensation they deserve.
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FAQs About Mental Health Disability Claims for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Veteran Burn Pit Exposure Disability Resources
Learn More About VA Mental Health Disability Claims for Post-9/11 Veterans
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can learn more about how combat trauma can contribute to service-connected mental health conditions, how these conditions can impact veterans, and how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reviews and manages these disability claims:
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Get Help with VA Mental Health Disability Claims Wherever You Are
Here at VA Benefits Attorneys, we provide legal help and support for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the country. We have years of legal experience and knowledge of the VA disability process that we will put to work for you, no matter where you live.
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File Your Veteran Mental Health Disability Claim Today
Have you dealt with anxiety, depression, or PTSD as a veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? These service-connected mental health conditions can have a severe impact on your ability to function and succeed in your daily life, and may make you eligible for disability compensation. VA Benefits Attorneys stands ready to help you file a successful claim and receive the benefits you deserve.
