Dispelling a common VA disability benefits myth: "Veterans need a diagnosis for getting service-connection"

It's common to hear people say: "You need a diagnosis in order to get service-connection for VA disability benefits." It's so common that a lot of veterans will put off filing a claim because they don't have a diagnosis.

But the thing is, you don't even need one. It's not a requirement by the VA. Sounds too good to be true? Luckily, it's not – we'll explain more below:

The difference between a medical nexus and a medical diagnosis

Before we dive into the non-need for a diagnosis, it's important to understand that the VA requires 3 specific elements to be met before a veteran can even file a claim:

• A current chronic disability

• A documented service event

• And a medical nexus

You can read more about all three here, but in this blog we need to focus on the difference between a medical nexus and a diagnosis.

A medical nexus is proof that the veteran's current medical condition is directly connected to the fact that they served in the military, or another service-connected condition. You need this – but you do NOT need a formal diagnosis to file or be awarded benefits.

How this rule changed due to the case of Saunders versus Wilkie

This rule changed back in 2018 due to a precedent case (a decision made within the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims) called Saunders v. Wilkie.

This case concluded that generalized pain – even when it is without a diagnosis – can be considered a disability that veterans can get VA disability benefits for as long as the pain causes functional impairment.

If you have pain but no diagnosis, you can get rated for that

Here's the bottom line: Veterans can receive VA disability benefits without a diagnosis as long as they have well-documented pain symptoms that cause functional impairment. Here are a few examples of how this looks in many veterans:

• You have generalized knee pain, even if it's not arthritis

• You have chronic foot pain, even though it's not plantar fasciitis

• You have ongoing neck pain with an unknown diagnosis as a result of an injury in service

We help veterans prove their medical experiences to the VA

With your story and our support, it's possible to prove your situation to the VA and gain the VA disability benefits you deserve. For many different types of service-connected conditions,we help veterans prove their conditions to the VA through Nexus Letters, DBQs, and other additional claim-boosting services.

• Ready to work together? The first step is to sign up for a Medical Evidence Assessment.

• Still browsing what's available? You can also view other services here.