Evidence types that prove obesity is related to your service-connected condition

According to VA rules, obesity is not a service-connectable condition – meaning you cannot get VA disability benefits for it. However, the VA accepts that service-connected conditions can impact weight gain, and this can lead to other new conditions. This is why it's important to consider the "domino effect" that can occur with service-related health impacts.

With this potential to prove obesity's role in creating new conditions, it's important for veterans to understand what is actually required to prove that weight gain is related to your existing service-connected condition.

Let's review obesity as an intermediate step and discuss different types of evidence that can prove that everything is connected:

Obesity as an intermediate step that causes a new condition

As we mentioned, obesity can be used as an intermediate step that causes a new condition. That basically means that if the service-connected condition led to obesity, and then that obesity led to the development of a new condition, this new condition can be considered in claim for a secondary service-connected condition.

This type of claim can be made stronger by providing evidence for things that happen in the body on a molecular level – which is why a Nexus Letter can be essential for an obesity claim. When doctors treat patients, they focus on efforts to correct it, whereas with a Nexus Letter we try to identify the root of the condition (especially when traditional diet and exercise aren't producing expected results).

If the veteran is following the guidance of their doctor, eating and exercising a certain way, but still not losing weight – it can be because their mental distress is causing a cascade of events in the body on a molecular level. This can be the body's "fight or flight" mode, holding onto weight rather than losing it.

Types of evidence that can prove obesity is related to your service-connected condition

In order to form a compelling claim for obesity as an intermediate step, you're going to need various types of evidence that support both health data and also your personal story and journey with weight.

Here are a few vital pieces to include:

• Provider notes from doctors

  • Your medical history in the form of treatment notes is important for every claim – and for obesity as an intermediate step, it's also a requirement.

• Proof of attempted dietary changes

  • This could include a tracking log of your food intake, in order to prove that you've been trying to change your weight and nutrition.

• Prescriptions that cause weight gain

  • Some prescription drugs for service-connected conditions, such as antidepressants, steroids, hormonal medication, and diabetes medication, can cause weight gain. Documenting your usage helps tell the full story.

• Physical therapy notes

  • Working with a physical therapist and getting treatment notes from them is a great form of evidence for your claim.

• Mental health notes

  • Whether from a licensed professional or a testimony of your own experiences in a personal statement, notes on your mental health can make a claim well-rounded.

• Data from smart devices

  • Smart devices, such as an Apple watch, WHOOP device, or Oura Ring, can track your health metrics such as daily movement and also calorie intake. This data compiled over time can be essential in providing evidence to the VA. You can also simply use a pen and paper to take notes and keep track of your history – anything to document your effort.

Why making an action plan with your doctor is important

The best course of action with VA disability benefits claims is to gather evidence. The more the better, and your healthcare provider should be kept in the loop – they can help develop a plan, refer you to specialists or dieticians, and investigate any other potential causes if you're getting unexpected results.

Your story, our expert medical documentation.

At MRPY, we help veterans prove their conditions to the VA with documentation such as Nexus Letters, DBQs, and other additional services to boost your claim. You don't have to struggle alone with getting your claim VA-ready. We're here to support you through the process.

Begin by signing up for a Medical Evidence Assessment, or view our other services here.

Rather than struggling alone, work with one of our professional medical experts to get exactly what you need without all of the confusion.