My Depression Started During Service, But I Didn’t Seek Help at the Time. Can I Still Claim It as a Disability?
- Deborah Miller
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
by Deborah Miller, PhD, HSPP, owner and lead psychologist at vetnexusletter.com
I work with veterans every day who struggled with depression during their military service but went untreated at the time. You may have noticed changes in your mood, sleep, or motivation while serving, but like many service members, you pushed through without seeking counseling or medical attention. That's not uncommon - military culture instills a sense of self-reliance and pushing through the pain which can be very helpful in military situations, but no one can live like that forever - not even the strongest soldier. After years of trying to be strong, you may be feeling more depressed than ever, and wondering: If I didn’t seek help while I was in the military, can I still file a VA disability claim for depression so I can get the help I need?
The short answer is yes—you can still pursue a claim. However, success often depends on how well the evidence shows that your depression began during service and continues to affect you today.
Understanding VA Service Connection for Depression that started During Service
To receive disability benefits for depression that started during service, the VA requires three elements:
A current diagnosis. You must have a medical diagnosis of depression that meets DSM-5 criteria.
An in-service event or onset. Evidence must show that symptoms of depression began in service or were caused by a specific event or stressor, and have been chronic until present day.
A nexus, or link. A medical opinion must connect your current depression to your military service.
What kind of evidence can support these 3 elements?
A current diagnosis. This can be established in several ways.
You can talk to your primary care physician and that your symptoms be documented in your medical records and ask for a referral for mental health treatment
You can seek out a therapist or psychologist on your own (or the VA if you're eligible), and they can document your current symptoms and diagnosis
You can seek an independent examination with a psychologist who specializes in providing documentation for veterans seeking mental health VA benefits. They can provide a thorough examination and the forms the VA requires for the disability application process.
An in-service event or onset. The VA understands that many service members avoid reporting mental health struggles while in uniform. Stigma, fear of career impact, and cultural expectations all contribute to underreporting. Fortunately, you can use other forms of evidence to support your claim, such as:
Lay statements from family, friends, or fellow service members who noticed changes in your behavior or mood during service.
Service records that show changes in performance, disciplinary issues, or sudden requests for transfer that align with mental health struggles.
Post-service medical records documenting depression soon after leaving the military.
Even if your first formal diagnosis came years later, a strong medical opinion can still establish that it is at least as likely as not that your depression began during service.
A nexus, or link. If strong evidence does not exist to link your in-service symptoms to your present diagnosis, you may need an independent "nexus letter" that connects the dots for the VA based on your current diagnosis, personal statements, and any other evidence you've gathered to support your claim. Often, an independent psychologist who specializes in helping veterans with VA disability claims can perform and examination AND write a nexus letter all in one to support your claim.
Bottom Line
Not seeking help during service does not disqualify you from filing a VA disability claim for depression. With the right medical documentation and supporting evidence, you can still establish service connection and receive the benefits you deserve.
Next Steps: Strengthen Your Claim
If you believe your depression started during service but weren’t treated at the time, don’t assume the VA will dismiss your case.
👉 Contact Dr. Miller’s team at vetnexusletter.com to schedule an independent evaluation or request a nexus letter. We’ll review your service history, current medical records, and personal statements, to provide the thorough documentation needed to support your claim.