Understanding a VA mental health claim can be difficult, especially when the claim involves a negative C&P examination, delayed diagnosis, secondary service connection, conflicting medical opinions, or questions about what evidence is actually needed.

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This resource center provides educational information about the psychological and medical evidence commonly involved in VA mental health disability claims. Topics include nexus opinions, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), independent psychological evaluations, PTSD and other mental health diagnoses, secondary conditions, lay evidence, C&P examinations, and common reasons mental health claims are denied.

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The goal is not to tell veterans how to “win” a claim. It is to explain how mental health evidence is evaluated, what different types of medical evidence can and cannot establish, and when an independent psychological opinion may be useful.

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These resources are written by Deborah Miller, PhD, HSPP, a licensed psychologist and former VA-contract Compensation & Pension examiner who specializes in independent psychological evaluations for veterans.

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Start Here

Understanding Nexus Opinions, DBQs, and Independent Exams

Learn what a mental health nexus opinion is, what a DBQ is, who can provide one, what makes an opinion medically persuasive, and when a veteran may or may not need one.

Explore Nexus Opinion Resources →

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​Mental Health C&P Exams

Understand what happens during a mental health C&P examination, how examiners evaluate diagnoses and impairment, and what to look for when a negative C&P opinion appears incomplete or inconsistent with the record.

Explore C&P Exam Resources →

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PTSD and Trauma-Related Claims

Resources addressing PTSD diagnosis, delayed treatment, military sexual trauma, behavioral markers, lay evidence, stressors, and other issues commonly encountered in trauma-related claims.

Explore PTSD Resources →

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Secondary Mental Health Claims

Learn how psychologists evaluate whether another service-connected medical condition may have caused or aggravated depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, or another mental health disorder.

Explore Secondary Mental Health Resources →

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Mental Health Claims After a VA Denial

Understand common reasons mental health claims are denied and the types of clinical or medical evidence that may address deficiencies in a previous examination or medical opinion.

Explore Denial & Rebuttal Resources →

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Evidence for Mental Health Claims

Learn how medical records, service records, lay statements, occupational history, treatment history, behavioral changes, and scientific research may contribute to a psychological evaluation.

Explore Evidence Resources →

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Not Sure Where to Start?

If you are trying to determine whether you need a nexus opinion, DBQ, or independent psychological evaluation, start with:

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Do I Need a Nexus Letter for My VA Mental Health Claim?

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and

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Nexus Letter vs. DBQ vs. Independent Mental Health Evaluation: What Do I Actually Need?

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About These Resources

These materials are intended to help veterans better understand the psychological and medical evidence involved in VA disability claims. They are educational in nature and are not legal advice. Questions involving appeals, filing strategy, deadlines, or selection of a VA review option should be discussed with a VA-accredited representative, claims agent, or attorney.