Don’t Let the Headlines Discourage You: Veterans Deserve Mental Health Compensation

Written by: Dr. Deborah Miller, PhD, HSPP - Lead Psychologist and Owner at vetnexusletter.com

Lately, you may have seen headlines suggesting that too many veterans are “gaming the system” or “faking” mental health or other disability conditions to receive VA disability benefits. These stories can be disheartening—especially for those who are truly suffering and considering whether to apply for help.

I talk to veterans every day who have been "strong" in silence for many years as they coped alone with the difficult consequences and disabilities caused by their military service. I hear the same things over and over - "We were told not to go to sick call. I would have gotten made fun of if I had admitted something was wrong. I didn't want to lose my clearance or get kicked out of service. So I just sucked it up and dealt with it any way I could." And this mentality persists after service. While this approach may get you through for a while, eventually something has to give.

As a psychologist who works with veterans who are extremely hesitant to talk about these issues in the first place - it angers me to see people in civilian society implying that veterans don't deserve the benefits they were promised when they signed up. The truth is - most of the service-members I work with haven't seen direct combat or gotten severely injured by an explosion or helicopter crash - these are hyped-up stereotypes you see in movies that paint an unrealistic, unfair picture of the kinds of stressors service-members typically face. The more common stories are that service-members experience trauma that is not combat-related (such as training accidents, violent bullying, sexual trauma, racial harassment); or experience chronic daily stressors that build up over time, deployment-related or not - and these stressors impact long-term mental health in very real ways that many veterans don't admit until years later.

Other veterans sustain physical injuries in service that worsen as they age (chronic back or knee strain due to training exercises, a fall, parachute jumps) and years later these chronic conditions become so limiting, the veteran develops depression or anxiety as a secondary condition. One article I saw scoffed that tinnitus (chronic ringing in the ears) is considered a compensable disability - but clearly this person had never spoken with one of the millions of veterans affected by this condition and the consequences that include insomnia that snowballs into irritability, fatigue, depression, and anxiety - impacting a veteran's life every day over something that seems so small at first.

It's not right. So, let’s set the record straight.

Your Mental Health Struggles Are Real—and Recognized

Mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and adjustment disorder are among the most common service-connected mental health disabilities for veterans. These are not just “in your head” or “part of the job”—they are serious medical conditions backed by decades of research and recognized by the VA as valid and compensable.

Don't Let Stigma or Skepticism Stop You

Negative media coverage can make veterans second-guess themselves:

• “What if they think I’m exaggerating?”

• “I don’t want to take benefits away from someone else.”

• “I should just tough it out.”

• "What if they think I don't really deserve this?"

  
  

The truth? You’ve already paid the price through your service. VA benefits are not handouts—they are earned benefits. Filing a claim is not selfish, and it does not diminish the sacrifice of others.

The VA Has Safeguards—and That’s a Good Thing

Yes, the VA has systems in place to detect fraud and exaggeration. But these systems also exist to protect your right to compensation. If you are honest, consistent, and supported by medical evidence, the process is built to serve you—not to punish you.

You Are Not Alone

Thousands of veterans quietly live with the impact of service-connected mental health issues. Seeking help—through a claim, therapy, or a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam—is a step toward healing and stability.

Our Message to You

You are not “faking it.” You are not weak. And you are not alone. Dr. Miller knows that your story matters and your mental health matters. Your claim deserves to be heard—regardless of what the headlines say.

If you're ready for your story to be accurately heard, and looking for help documenting evidence of your VA disability claim related to mental health, reach out to Dr. Miller to get started on an independent exam/DBQ, nexus letter, or other documentation.