How do I prove my disability is service-connected?

Last Updated: 8/25/2025

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Military service can affect your health in many ways. If you're living with a medical or mental health condition after serving, you may be eligible for disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To get these benefits, it all starts with showing that your condition is connected to your time in service.

What does it mean for a disability to be “service-connected”?

“Service-connected” means the VA officially decides your disability was caused or made worse by your military service. This is important because you can only get VA disability benefits if your condition is service-connected. Simply having a diagnosis is not enough—you must show evidence that links your condition to your service.

What three things does the VA look for?

To prove service connection, the VA looks for three things:

1. Current Diagnosis: A doctor must confirm that you have the condition right now.
2. In-Service Event, Injury or Illness: There must be proof that something happened during your service—like an injury, illness or event—that caused or made your condition worse.
3. Medical Nexus: This is the link between what happened in service and your current medical condition. A doctor usually shows this through medical evidence or opinion.

What are the types of service connection?

Service connection does not only include conditions that started during service. There are multiple different kinds:

• Direct Service Connection: Your disability started during active duty or soon after (e.g., knee injury from a training accident).
• Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition: You had a condition before service, but it got worse because of your time in the military (e.g., asthma that got worse due to exposure to environmental hazards).
• Secondary Service Connection: Your service-connected disability caused or made another condition worse (e.g., chronic pain from a service injury caused depression).
• Presumptive Service Connection: Some conditions are automatically assumed by the VA to be service-connected if you served in specific places or time frames, like exposure to Agent Orange or burn pits.

What types of evidence can support a service connection claim?

To prove service connection, you need to collect different types of evidence: 

• Medical Records: These include your service treatment records and any later medical records that show your diagnosis and condition. 
• Medical Opinions: A doctor’s statement linking your disability to your military service. This should be based on a review of your medical history and explain how your condition is connected to your service.
• Lay Evidence: Statements from you, family members or friends describing when symptoms started and how your condition affects you. This can be helpful if your medical records are incomplete or unavailable. 
• Buddy Statements: These are specific types of lay evidence from other service members who saw your injury or symptoms during your service.

What are common challenges when proving service connection?

Having a diagnosis does not promise benefits. Your claim might be denied if there isn’t enough proof of an event during service or if there isn’t a clear medical connection. It can also be harder if your symptoms started long after service or if your military records are missing or incomplete.

When records aren’t available, other evidence like lay testimony or unit records can help, but strong medical evidence is still very important. The VA uses a “benefit of the doubt” rule, which means if the evidence for and against your claim is equal, the VA will make the finding for the veteran. However, medical evidence is stronger and more supportive than lay evidence.

How do presumptive conditions affect what proof you need?

For some illnesses and exposures, the VA automatically assumes your condition is related to your military service if you meet certain rules. This means you don’t have to prove exactly how or when your illness started during your service.

For example, Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange or veterans from recent wars exposed to burn pits can get benefits more easily because the VA recognizes these conditions as service related.

How does the PACT Act change evidence requirements?

The PACT Act may make it easier for you to prove your disability is service-connected by adding more presumptive conditions to the list. 
It also makes more people eligible by including more service locations and time periods, especially if you served in recent conflicts. The Act helps the VA process claims better by updating medical guidelines and requiring toxic exposure screenings during your health visits.

This means that if the VA considers your condition presumptive, the PACT Act may lower the amount of proof you need, making it easier for you to get the benefits you’ve earned.

What should I do if I think I qualify?

If you think you qualify for VA disability benefits, while Allsup Veterans Appeals (AVA) only assists with appeals, we provide information about how to file your initial VA claim.

You may also apply through one of these methods:

• Online: Submit your claim at https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/
• By mail: Send VA Form 21-526EZ to the VA Claims Intake Center.
• In person: Visit a VA regional office for assistance.

After you apply, the VA will review your claim, arrange any necessary medical exams and send you their decision.

What if my claim is denied?

If you’ve been denied service connection in the past or are unsatisfied with a VA decision that is less than 12 months old, AVA can help. We’ll fight to get you all the compensation you earned in your time in service.

Our VA-accredited Claims Agents, some of whom are veterans, understand the VA process. We know what it takes to create an accurate, successful claim.

Working with AVA means you will receive expert guidance, precise submission of your appeal, handling of complex processes, communication with the VA and the support you need.