A Summary of the 4 Requirements to a Strong Claim
Every VA mental health claim must clearly establish four things. If one is missing, the claim fails.
For a more in-depth overview of the 4 steps to a VA claim, click on the button below.
Requirements 1: A Current Diagnosis
You must have a current DSM-5 diagnosis from a qualified provider. Without a diagnosis, the claim does not move forward.
Requirement 2: An In-Service Event or Stressor
You must show that something occurred during service that could reasonably cause your condition.
Requirement 3: A Medical Nexus
There must be a clinical connection between your condition and your service:
“At least as likely as not” (50% or greater).
Requirement 4: Severity and Functional Impact
You must show how your condition affects: work, relationships, and daily functioning.
Key Point:
Most claims fail because one of these areas is: missing, weak, or poorly explained.
Understanding the steps is not enough. The next question is: How do you fully show the impact of your condition?
