Veteran Mental Health Lawyers

Veterans seeking VA disability benefits for mental health conditions often face unique challenges that make approval more difficult compared to physical injuries. Unlike a broken bone or a gunshot wound, mental health conditions are invisible disabilities — they cannot be confirmed through X-rays or lab tests. Instead, these claims depend on psychiatric evaluations, medical records, and personal testimony, which the VA frequently underestimates, ignores, or misinterprets.

At Veterans Law Group, we understand the obstacles Veterans face when trying to secure mental health benefits. Whether you’re struggling to prove service connection, dealing with an unfairly low rating, or battling a denied claim, our team is here to help. We specialize in navigating the VA system to ensure that Veterans receive the full compensation they deserve.

Proving Service Connection

To receive VA disability benefits for a mental health condition, a Veteran must prove that their condition is directly related to their military service. This can be challenging, especially if symptoms developed after discharge or weren’t documented in service records. Many Veterans did not seek treatment while in the military, often due to the stigma surrounding mental health care, which can negatively impact personal and professional lives.

At Veterans Law Group, we help Veterans establish service connection by gathering military and personal medical records, military records, buddy letters, securing expert opinions from your treating doctors and presenting strong evidence linking their condition to their military experience. We know how to build a compelling case that proves your mental health challenges are a direct result of your service.

Inconsistent VA Ratings

Even when the VA approves a claim, it often assigns a lower disability rating than a Veteran deserves. This results in reduced monthly compensation and may even prevent a Veteran from qualifying for additional benefits, such as claiming dependents, not having their military retirement being offset, educational benefits for themselves or dependents, other state and local benefits, and Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The VA’s rating system for mental health conditions can be inconsistent, leading to undervalued claims that don’t reflect the full impact of a Veteran’s condition.

Our team at Veterans Law Group fights for Veterans to receive the highest possible rating. We work closely with psychiatrists, vocational experts, and medical professionals to present clear evidence of the severity of your condition. If the VA has underrated your mental health disability, we can file an appeal and fight for a fair reassessment.

Bias Against Mental Health Claims

Some VA examiners fail to recognize the severity of mental health conditions, leading to low ratings or outright denials. Many Veterans report feeling like their symptoms are dismissed or downplayed during Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams. Additionally, mental health stigma still exists within the VA system, and some claims are unfairly questioned or denied due to a lack of understanding.

At Veterans Law Group, we know how to push back against biased decisions and ensure that the VA takes your claim seriously. Our attorneys are skilled in challenging flawed VA assessments, presenting strong medical evidence, and ensuring that Veterans are properly compensated for their mental health struggles.

The Complicated VA Appeals Process

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal, but the process can be frustrating, confusing, and time-consuming. Veterans must act quickly to avoid missing deadlines, but the VA’s complex system makes it difficult to navigate the appeals process without legal assistance. Many Veterans wait months or even years to receive the benefits they deserve.

At Veterans Law Group, we handle every step of the appeals process on your behalf. Whether you need to request a Higher-Level Review, submit a Supplemental Claim, or take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), we will fight for your rights. You don’t have to go through this alone — let us help you secure the benefits you’ve earned.

At Veterans Law Group, we help Veterans secure the VA disability benefits they deserve for a wide range of service-connected mental health conditions. Too often, the VA undervalues or denies claims related to mental health, leaving Veterans without the compensation and medical support they need. We work to ensure that our clients receive the maximum benefits available for their conditions.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

One of the most prevalent mental health conditions among Veterans is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can develop after experiencing combat exposure, military sexual trauma (MST), training accidents, or other service-related trauma. Veterans suffering from PTSD often deal with flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, irritability, emotional numbness, difficulty maintaining relationships, and trouble holding a job. These symptoms can have a devastating impact on a Veteran’s ability to maintain employment, engage in social activities, and live a fulfilling life.

Despite the serious nature of PTSD, the VA frequently denies or underestimates PTSD claims, often assigning Veterans a disability rating that does not reflect the true severity of their condition. At Veterans Law Group, we have a strong track record of helping Veterans win their PTSD claims and secure the benefits they are entitled to. We gather medical evidence, expert opinions, and personal testimony to build a compelling case that demonstrates how PTSD has impacted your life and ability to function.

Depression and Anxiety Disorders

In addition to PTSD, many Veterans struggle with depression and anxiety disorders, which can significantly affect their ability to function in daily life. These conditions are common among those adjusting to civilian life after enduring military stress, combat, or trauma. Veterans suffering from depression may experience persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, suicidal thoughts, or severe fatigue, while those with anxiety may struggle with panic attacks, excessive worry, social withdrawal, and an overwhelming sense of fear or stress.

The VA often underrates depression and anxiety claims, failing to acknowledge how severely these conditions impact a Veteran’s personal and professional life. Without an appropriate disability rating, Veterans may be left without adequate compensation or access to necessary mental health care. At Veterans Law Group, we fight to ensure that Veterans suffering from debilitating depression or anxiety receive the benefits they need to access treatment, maintain financial security, and improve their quality of life.

Military Sexual Trauma and Related Mental Health Conditions

Veterans who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) face unique challenges when filing VA disability claims. MST survivors often feel shame, fear, or frustration when seeking benefits, and the VA’s claims process can be retraumatizing and difficult to navigate. Many MST survivors develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other severe mental health conditions as a result of their experiences. However, the VA frequently denies these claims due to a lack of documented evidence, placing an unfair burden on survivors to prove their trauma.

At Veterans Law Group, we provide compassionate, confidential legal support for MST survivors. We work to ensure that Veterans receive the recognition and compensation they deserve for the mental health conditions caused by MST. If the VA has denied or underrated your claim, we will fight to gather the necessary evidence, secure expert evaluations, and build a case that supports your right to benefits. No MST survivor should have to fight this battle alone. We believe you, and we are here to help.

TBI-Related Mental Health Conditions

Many Veterans suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), often caused by combat, explosions, or accidents during service. While TBIs are typically thought of as physical injuries, they can also lead to severe mental health symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive difficulties, depression, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disorders, and personality changes. These conditions can make it extremely difficult for Veterans to maintain employment, relationships, and overall well-being.

The VA often fails to recognize the full impact of TBI-related mental health conditions, leading to low disability ratings or outright denials. Many Veterans suffering from TBI-related mental health disorders struggle to receive proper compensation because the VA does not fully understand the long-term effects of brain injuries on mental health. 

At Veterans Law Group, we work to ensure that Veterans with TBI receive the correct rating and compensation for both their cognitive and mental health impairments. We help Veterans obtain comprehensive medical evaluations and expert testimony to present a clear, undeniable case for their disability benefits.

When you choose Veterans Law Group, you gain a dedicated legal team that specializes exclusively in VA disability appeals, with a strong focus on mental health claims. We understand the unique challenges Veterans face when seeking benefits for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other service-connected mental health conditions. Since 1996, we have successfully helped thousands of Veterans win their claims and recover millions of dollars in back pay.

Building a Strong Case from Day One

Filing a VA claim can be overwhelming, but starting with a well-documented case significantly increases your chances of approval. Our team helps you prepare an ironclad claim with all the necessary medical records, service records, and supporting evidence to establish service connection and demonstrate the severity of your condition. With our experience, we ensure your claim is as strong as possible before submission, reducing the risk of unnecessary delays or denials.

Gathering and Presenting Compelling Evidence

If your claim has already been denied or underrated, we step in and strengthen your case by working with doctors, psychiatrists, and vocational experts to provide clear, undeniable proof of your disability. Many mental health claims fail due to insufficient documentation or a lack of medical opinions, but we know how to present the right evidence in the right way to convince the VA of the severity of your condition.

Challenging VA Denials and Low Ratings

Even when the VA approves a claim, it often assigns an unfairly low disability rating, which means Veterans receive less compensation than they deserve. If your mental health condition is significantly impacting your life, work, and relationships, we fight for the highest possible disability rating to ensure you receive full benefits, including the potential for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Our legal team understands how to challenge the VA’s mistakes and ensure your rating accurately reflects the severity of your condition.

Representing You at Every Level

No matter where you are in the VA appeals process, Veterans Law Group is ready to stand by your side and fight for your rights. Whether your case is at the Regional Office, Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), or even the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), our attorneys have the experience and expertise to represent you. We understand the complex VA system and are committed to guiding you through every step until you receive the benefits you deserve.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win Your Case

Remember, at Veterans Law Group, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, no hidden fees, and no financial risk to you. Our mission is to help Veterans get the compensation they’ve rightfully earned, and we are confident in our ability to win. If we don’t win, you don’t pay — period.

If you’re tired of fighting the VA alone, let Veterans Law Group take the burden off your shoulders. Contact us today for a free case review, and let’s fight for the benefits you deserve.