Veterans in the United States continue to face a silent crisis in the form of suicide, mental health challenges, and underutilization of earned benefits. In 2023, 6,398 veterans died by suicide—an average of 17.5 deaths per day—despite decades of investment in prevention and support programming. At the same time, roughly 15.8 million veterans represent 6.1% of the U.S. adult population, making this a national-scale public health and moral imperative.

This white paper argues that VA Disability Benefits are structurally aligned with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, providing a pathway from basic survival to self-actualization for veterans transitioning into civilian life. When effectively accessed, these benefits support:

• Physiological needs through income, housing stability, and healthcare access
• Safety needs through long-term financial security and ongoing medical treatment
• Love and belonging through access to VA care, peer support, and community programs
• Esteem through formal recognition of service-connected injuries and opportunities for education and employment
• Self-actualization through the freedom and resources to pursue purpose, growth, and meaningful post-service careers

However, over 30% of veterans who may be eligible never file for VA Disability Benefits, often due to confusion, complexity, stigma, or misinformation. Simultaneously, VA data show that more than 60% of veterans who die by suicide were not engaged in VA health care in the year before their death, underscoring the consequences of under-enrollment and disengagement from the system.

In 2026, the VA is implementing significant reforms to its mental health rating criteria, including eliminating the 0% rating and establishing a minimum 10% rating for any service-connected mental health condition. These changes are expected to expand access to compensation, reduce rating ambiguity, and more accurately reflect the real-world impact of mental health conditions on veterans’ lives.

VetsForever exists to ensure that no veteran has to navigate this system alone. By combining claims expertise, legal guidance, and trauma-informed support, VetsForever helps veterans secure the benefits they have earned—benefits that are not merely financial transactions, but foundational building blocks of healing, dignity, and long-term well-being.

1. The Ongoing Crisis for Veterans

1.1 Scope of the Challenge

The data tell a sobering story:

• In 2023, there were 6,398 veteran suicides in the United States, down slightly from 6,442 in 2022, translating to an average of 17.5 veteran suicides per day.
• The suicide rate among veterans rose to 35.2 per 100,000 in 2023, the highest rate since at least 2018.
• Approximately 15.8 million veterans lived in the U.S. in 2023, representing 6.1% of the civilian population aged 18 and older.
• Despite small numerical improvements in total suicides, the rate per capita has increased, and more than 140,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, leading advocacy groups to describe the situation as remaining at “epidemic levels.”

1.2 Suicide Trends, 2022–2023

While total veteran suicides and the daily suicide average decreased slightly between 2022 and 2023, the change is marginal and insufficient to be considered a substantive improvement.

Critically, VA data show that roughly 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 were not receiving VA health care in the last year of their lives, underlining a significant engagement gap. This disconnect reveals that outreach, education on benefits, and navigation support are as crucial as the existence of programs themselves.

2. Transition, Mental Health, and Barriers to Care

The first year after separation from military service is often the most destabilizing for veterans—characterized by the loss of structure, camaraderie, and mission, which can amplify underlying mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Research indicates that many veterans do not seek mental health treatment, and fewer than half of those who could benefit from services receive consistent care. Early engagement in care and benefits within the first year of separation is associated with better long-term mental health outcomes and reduced suicidality.

Yet, more than 30% of veterans who may be eligible for VA Disability Benefits never file a claim, leaving substantial financial, medical, and psychosocial support on the table.

Common barriers include:

• Confusion over eligibility and what conditions can be claimed
• Overwhelming paperwork and complex evidence requirements
• Long wait times for decisions and appeals
• Stigma and fear of being perceived as “weak” or “less capable” by employers or peers
• Misunderstanding of the differences between VA Disability Benefits and Social Security Disability programs (SSDI/SSI)

These barriers do not just delay payments—they delay stabilization at the very base of Maslow’s hierarchy, preventing veterans from building toward higher levels of recovery and purpose.

3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and VA Disability Benefits

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs describes a progression of human motivation from basic survival to the realization of full potential. When viewed through a veteran-centered lens, VA Disability Benefits can be seen as a structured mechanism to meet these layered needs.

3.1 Physiological Needs: Survival and Health

Physiological needs include food, shelter, rest, and medical care. For many veterans, disability compensation is a critical protective factor against homelessness, food insecurity, and untreated chronic health conditions.

Even a 10% disability rating provides monthly tax-free income that can cover basic expenses or co-pays, while higher ratings increasingly offset the costs of housing, utilities, and health care. When physiological needs are met through predictable benefits and healthcare access, veterans can redirect energy away from survival anxiety and toward engagement in treatment, work, family life, and education.

3.2 Safety Needs: Financial and Emotional Security

Safety needs encompass personal security, health security, and financial stability. For veterans, this often means:

• A dependable monthly income from disability benefits
• Access to VA health care and mental health services
• Legal protections and assistance with claims and appeals

The VA’s own reporting emphasizes that veterans engaged with VA health care and benefits have stronger protective factors against suicide. Disability benefits help reduce acute financial crises—such as evictions, utility shut-offs, and medical debt—that are known stressors and potential triggers for mental health deterioration.

Under 2026 mental health rating criteria, disability ratings will be more tightly linked to functional impairment and symptom severity, independent of employment status, making the safety net more responsive to real-world risk.

3.3 Love and Belonging: Community and Connection

Maslow’s third level highlights the importance of relationships and acceptance. Many veterans describe feeling profoundly “alone in a crowd” after separation, especially when managing invisible wounds like PTSD or moral injury.

Disability benefits promote belonging in several ways:

• They connect veterans to VA facilities where they can access group therapy, peer support, and veteran-specific programs.
• Participation in veterans’ organizations, support groups, and nonprofit programs is often facilitated by having both the time and resources enabled by disability compensation.
• Research shows that social isolation is a powerful predictor of suicidal ideation, and that meaningful connection—through family, peers, and community—significantly improves mental health outcomes.

3.4 Esteem Needs: Recognition, Dignity, and Opportunity

Esteem needs involve respect, self-respect, recognition, and a sense of contribution. For many veterans, the disability rating decision itself carries deep symbolic weight: it is the institution’s acknowledgment that their injuries and sacrifices are real and consequential.

Voices from veteran advocacy communities consistently note that receiving a disability rating often enhances veterans’ sense of legitimacy and reduces self-blame. Disability compensation also enables education and job retraining, which can improve self-efficacy and perceived employability, further bolstering self-esteem.

3.5 Self-Actualization: Purpose Beyond Service

Self-actualization is the realization of one’s full potential. For veterans, this may mean:

• Completing a degree or professional certification
• Launching a business or nonprofit
• Serving as mentors, advocates, or community leaders
• Pursuing creative, spiritual, or family-centered goals

VA education and rehabilitation programs—such as Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) and GI Bill–linked opportunities—are easier to pursue when disability benefits have stabilized a veteran’s basic and safety needs. Under the 2026 mental health rating changes, veterans with significant psychological injuries will be more likely to receive compensation commensurate with their functional limitations, allowing them to allocate time and resources toward growth, rather than mere survival.

4. 2026 VA Mental Health Rating Reforms

The VA is modernizing the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, including the mental health section, with changes expected to take effect in 2026. Key features include:

• Elimination of the 0% rating for mental health: All service-connected mental health conditions will receive at least a 10% rating, ensuring that every recognized condition results in compensation.
• Minimum 10% rating for any diagnosed service-connected mental health condition: This acknowledges that even mild conditions can carry functional impact and require ongoing management.
• Domain-based functional evaluation: Ratings will consider levels of impairment across multiple life domains (work, social relationships, self-care) rather than relying solely on vague descriptions of “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe” impairment.
• More direct linkage between symptom severity and higher ratings: Veterans may qualify for 70% or 100% ratings based on functional limitations and symptom frequency, even if they remain employed.

These reforms are intended to reduce ambiguity in mental health ratings, better reflect contemporary clinical understanding of psychological injuries, ensure fairer and more consistent compensation, and encourage more veterans to come forward with mental health claims.

By design, these changes reinforce Maslow’s framework: they strengthen the financial and clinical foundation that allows veterans to move up the pyramid toward belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

5. Why Veterans Don’t Apply—and What Must Change

Despite the clear alignment between disability benefits and veterans’ core needs, many veterans never access the system or disengage partway through. Common reasons include:

• Confusion and misinformation about eligibility, secondary conditions, and filing multiple claims
• Administrative burden: assembling medical evidence, service records, and detailed statements is time-consuming and overwhelming
• Discouragement after initial denials or low ratings, leading to abandonment of claims
• Employment concerns: fear that being “labeled disabled” will damage career prospects or lead colleagues to view them differently
• Conflation with Social Security Disability: misunderstandings about income limits, work requirements, and the distinct nature of VA Disability Benefits

Each of these barriers undermines progress at the lower tiers of Maslow’s hierarchy, prolonging financial insecurity and delaying access to mental health care, peer networks, and growth opportunities.

6. The Role of VetsForever

VetsForever exists to bridge the gap between eligibility and access—between theory and lived reality. As an organization, VetsForever:

• Provides step-by-step guidance through the VA claims process, from initial filing to appeals
• Offers education on what conditions can be claimed, how to document them, and how to avoid common pitfalls
• Partners with legal and medical professionals to strengthen evidence for claims, including mental health claims under the new 2026 criteria
• Emphasizes trauma-informed engagement, recognizing that paperwork, evaluations, and hearings can be triggering for veterans with PTSD or anxiety
• Connects veterans to community resources, including mental health providers, peer support groups, and employment and education programs

By doing so, VetsForever helps veterans shore up the foundation of Maslow’s hierarchy—physiological and safety needs—so they can rebuild belonging, esteem, and self-actualization on solid ground.

7. From Survival to Self-Actualization: A Call to Action

VA Disability Benefits are not charity; they are earned instruments of justice and restoration. When properly understood and accessed, they:

• Reduce financial distress and homelessness
• Improve access and adherence to mental health treatment
• Strengthen social connection and family stability
• Affirm dignity, service, and sacrifice
• Enable long-term growth, education, and purpose

The data are clear: most veterans who die by suicide were not connected to VA care, and many others never file claims despite eligibility. Closing this gap requires coordinated action from government, nonprofits, employers, and communities—supported by mission-driven organizations like VetsForever.

VetsForever is committed to a future in which every veteran:

• Understands the benefits they have earned
• Has expert guidance to navigate the VA system
• Receives timely, fair, and adequate compensation
• Is empowered to move beyond survival toward a fulfilling, purpose-driven life

When we align policy, practice, and support with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we do more than administer a benefits system—we create a continuum of care that honors service, protects life, and unlocks human potential.

Sources

1. Military.com – VA Releases Newest Veteran Suicide Data
2. VA News – Annual Veteran Suicide Prevention Report (2023 Data)
3. Door County Pulse – Honoring Veterans Day 2024
4. The National Desk – Stopping Veteran Suicide: VA Face the Fight
5. U.S. Census Bureau – Veterans Day Facts for Features 2024
6. YouTube – VA Mental Health Rating Reforms (Video)
7. VA Data – VetPop2023 Data Story
8. WEAR TV – VA’s 2025 Report on Veteran Suicide

Mental health is one of the most common and most misunderstood parts of the veteran experience after service.

For some, symptoms show up right away. For others, it takes years. Anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere. Trouble sleeping. Feeling on edge in crowds. Depression that creeps in slowly. Anger, numbness, panic, isolation. Feeling like your patience is gone. Feeling like you do not recognize yourself.

If any of this sounds familiar, here is the truth.

You are not the only one dealing with it. And your mental health may be connected to your VA disability claim, including through secondary conditions.

Mental health is part of your service story too.

At VetsForever, we want veterans to know two things. You deserve support, and you deserve to understand how the VA views mental health in the claims process.

Veteran Mental Health: How Common Is It After Service?

Mental health challenges affect millions of veterans, often at higher rates than the civilian population.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and national mental health research:

• About 7 percent of veterans experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime.
  
• Among veterans receiving VA health care, PTSD rates rise to about 12.1 percent, compared to 6.8 percent in the general population.
  
• 1 in 3 veterans report symptoms of depression, and 1 in 8 have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.
  
• Roughly 7.1 percent of VA patients have an alcohol use disorder, while 4.4 percent have a drug use disorder.

These numbers reinforce what many veterans already know firsthand. Struggling after service is more common than most veterans realize. Even these statistics do not capture the full picture. Many veterans struggle quietly without seeking care.

What Causes Mental Health Issues in Veterans?

There is not one veteran mental health story. There are many.

Some veterans experienced direct combat. Others did not. Mental health struggles often develop through a mix of stressors, trauma, and major life shifts.

Here are common contributors we see often.

Combat Exposure and Operational Trauma

Combat experiences can leave a lasting imprint, even when you feel like you are doing fine for a long time.

High Stress Roles and Burnout

Not every traumatic experience happens downrange. High operational tempo, constant responsibility, and years of pushing through it can take a real toll.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

MST can lead to PTSD, depression, anxiety, and long-term trust and safety issues.

Chronic Pain and Physical Injuries

Pain changes everything. Energy, mood, motivation, relationships, confidence, and sleep.

Transitioning Out of Service

One of the hardest changes for many veterans is losing built-in structure:

• mission
  
• routine
  
• identity
  
• community
  

This can lead to isolation quickly, even for veterans who appear fine on the outside.

Trauma is not a competition.

Understanding what contributes to veteran mental health and how it connects to VA claims and secondary conditions is one more step toward making sure no part of your service story goes unseen or unsupported.

Why Mental Health Matters in VA Disability Claims

Mental health conditions can be service-connected and eligible for VA disability compensation.

But this is where many veterans get surprised.

Mental health can also be connected through secondary conditions.

This means your mental health symptoms may be caused or worsened by a service-connected disability you already have.

The VA defines a secondary disability as a new condition linked to an existing service-connected condition.

Secondary conditions can impact your:

• claim strategy
  
• medical evidence
  
• disability rating
  
• appeal options

Mental Health as a Secondary Condition: Real Examples

Chronic Pain to Depression or Anxiety

Back pain, joint injuries, or neuropathy can lead to depression and anxiety.

Tinnitus to Anxiety and Sleep Problems

Constant ringing can contribute to insomnia and emotional strain.

Migraines to Depression and Isolation

Frequent migraines impact work, relationships, and mental health.

PTSD to Sleep Disorders and Substance Use Concerns

Nightmares, hypervigilance, and poor sleep often follow PTSD.

If you are dealing with both physical and mental health symptoms, they may be connected.

Find Your Community. Do Not Isolate.

Isolation is where depression grows.
Isolation is where anxiety gets louder.
Isolation is where veterans convince themselves nobody understands.

Community matters. Even one person matters.

Check In With Your Buddies From Your Time in Service

One of the biggest things veterans miss after service is the people.

It is okay to reach out, even years later.
It is okay to remember those seasons.
It is okay to stay in each other’s lives after the uniform.

Sometimes it is as simple as:

• “Hey, you crossed my mind.”
  
• “How are you doing, for real?”
  
• “Just checking on you.”
  

Quick gut check:
When was the last time you checked in on someone you served with?

Send the text.
Make the call.
Reconnect.

Veteran Mental Health Support Organizations You Can Trust

Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics
Provides mental health care for veterans, service members, and their families.

Metrocare Military Family Clinic
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare provides culturally competent mental health services for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, with a focus on accessible care, counseling, and community-based support.

One Tribe Foundation
Offers community-based programs and non-traditional therapies focused on veteran wellness and suicide prevention.

Travis Manion Foundation
Builds purpose and connection through veteran-led service and leadership programs.

PsychArmor
Provides free education and resources for veterans and families navigating mental health challenges.

Share this resource list with a veteran who may need support.

If You Need Immediate Help

Dial 988, Press 1
Text 838255

You matter. Stay here.

24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

Key Takeaways:

• Mental health challenges are common after service.
• They may be service-connected or secondary.
• Support is available.
• Community matters.
• Do not isolate.

Your service story includes more than what shows up on the surface. Understanding how mental health connects to your experiences and your VA claim helps ensure every part of that story is recognized and supported moving forward.

Before reacting to speculation, it is critical to understand what has actually changed, what has not, and where veterans can turn for trusted guidance when questions arise.

No, the VA Is Not Automatically Stripping Existing Benefits

First and foremost, the directive does not automatically strip veterans of existing disability benefits.

It also does not require the VA to reopen previously granted claims on its own. At this stage, there is no broad mandate forcing regional offices to re-adjudicate old awards without a triggering event such as:

• A new claim
• A request for increase
• A routine future exam
• Evidence of improvement

What the directive may influence, however, is how certain claims are evaluated going forward. Depending on how regional offices apply the guidance in practice, some benefits could become more difficult to obtain.

That distinction matters. Policy interpretation affects future adjudication standards far more than it does locked-in historical ratings.

Don’t Make Reactive Decisions Based on Headlines

Veterans should not withdraw a pending claim, abandon an appeal, or rush into filing a new claim based solely on social media interpretations or news headlines.

Before making any decision that could impact your benefits, speak with a VA-accredited person like the VetsForever Advocate team who can evaluate your specific situation.

If you have concerns about how this directive may affect veterans broadly, consider submitting formal comments to the VA during the current 60-day comment period: https://www.regulations.gov/ 

Veteran voices matter, and informed engagement often shapes how policy is implemented in the real world.

Where VetsForever Can Help

As regulatory guidance evolves, confusion often follows. That is where organizations like VetsForever play an important role.

VetsForever is a VA-accredited law group, which means its attorneys and Veteran Advocate team are federally authorized to represent veterans before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accreditation matters because it allows representatives to:

• Access veterans’ VA claims files through VBMS
• Review C&P exam results
• Submit legal arguments and evidence
• File appeals directly with the VA
• Challenge inadequate exams or decisions

This level of representation goes far beyond general “coaching” or template-driven claims assistance.

When policy shifts—like the medication directive—accredited representation becomes even more critical because claims strategy must adapt to new evidentiary standards.

The Real Shift: Functioning With Medication

The core of the new rule centers on how disability severity is evaluated.

What Changed?

The VA has issued guidance instructing examiners and raters to evaluate disability based on how a veteran functions while receiving treatment, including medication.

That means your day-to-day functioning on meds is now the primary focus when determining your rating.

How Prior Case Law Protected Veterans

Earlier court decisions—often referenced through cases like Jones and Ingram—generally held that the VA could not deny or lower a higher rating simply because medication improved symptoms unless the rating criteria specifically mentioned medication.

Under that framework, the VA was expected to consider the underlying severity of the condition, not just how a veteran presented while medicated on exam day.

The New Standard

The updated rule shifts emphasis:

If treatment makes a condition appear less impairing in daily life, the VA can now use that medicated level of impairment as the basis for the rating.

Why Representation Matters More Under This Rule

This rule change makes clear that winning claims now requires real representation—not generic coaching or AI paperwork mills.

Under the new framework, successful claims rely on aligning three pillars of evidence:

1. Medical documentation
2. Legal argumentation
3. Functional and occupational impact evidence

Through accredited representation, VetsForever can assist veterans by:

• Reviewing claims files for rating vulnerabilities
• Preparing veterans for C&P exams
• Identifying medication side-effect evidence
• Coordinating independent medical opinions
• Building work and daily-life impairment records
• Challenging improper reductions

This is particularly important when the VA is evaluating functioning on treatment rather than untreated severity.

Medication & C&P Exams: Guidance for Veterans

One harmful myth circulating online is that veterans should stop taking medication before exams.

Do not do this.

Stopping treatment to “look worse” is dangerous and can damage credibility. Instead, veterans should clearly communicate:

• What limitations still exist
• How often symptoms break through treatment
• What side effects medications cause
• How functioning fluctuates

VetsForever advocates often help veterans prepare for these conversations so their real-world impairment is accurately documented.

What If You’re Already Rated 100%?

If you hold a 100% rating, the rule does not automatically trigger a reduction.

However, during any new exams or reviews, the VA will evaluate functioning with treatment.

Risk exposure depends on:

• Length of time at 100%
• Age
• Schedular vs. TDIU ratings
• Static vs. non-static conditions

Accredited review of your file can help determine whether protections apply and how to prepare if exams are scheduled.

The 5-, 10-, and 20-Year Protection Rules

Longstanding safeguards remain in place:

5-Year Rule – Requires sustained improvement for reduction
10-Year Rule – Protects service connection
20-Year Rule – Locks in your rating as a minimum

These protections limit how far the VA can reduce ratings—even under the medication rule.

Understanding where you fall within these timelines is a key part of reduction defense strategy, and something accredited representatives routinely evaluate.

Medication Side Effects as Secondary Conditions

If the VA credits medication improvement to justify a lower rating, veterans should also consider the burden of treatment.

Medication side effects may qualify for secondary service connection.

Examples

• NSAIDs → GERD or ulcers
• Antidepressants → weight gain or sexual dysfunction
• Neuropathic meds → fatigue or cognitive impairment

VetsForever can help veterans:

• Identify secondary claim opportunities
• Gather prescribing records
• Secure nexus opinions
• Document functional impact

This ensures the full picture of disability is represented—not just the treated symptoms.

Appeals & Reduction Defense

Appeal strategy is evolving.

The argument is no longer only:

“VA ignored how severe my condition is.”

It is now often:

“VA ignored how impaired I remain even with treatment.”

Accredited advocates can:

• Challenge weak exams
• Introduce employer evidence
• Submit lay statements
• Obtain medical rebuttals

This integrated legal-medical approach is where accredited representation provides the greatest value.

What Veterans Should Do Right Now

If you’re concerned about the directive:

• Confirm how long you’ve held your rating
• Stay consistent with treatment
• Document daily limitations
• Track medication side effects
• Seek accredited guidance before exams or reductions

Veterans with questions about how this rule may affect their specific case can connect with VetsForever for individualized case reviews and evidence strategy discussions.

Final Perspective

The Ingram vs. Collins conversation reflects an evolution in how disability is evaluated—not a blanket rollback of benefits.

Existing ratings are not being automatically stripped. Protections remain intact. Claims and appeals are still being filed and won every day.

What has changed is the evidentiary standard.

Function, not just diagnosis, now drives outcomes.

And in this environment, informed, accredited advocacy—grounded in medical, legal, and occupational evidence—matters more than ever.

For veterans navigating questions, concerns, or next steps, organizations like VetsForever exist to ensure no one has to interpret policy shifts alone and that every claim is supported with the strategy and representation it deserves.

Scott served in the United States Navy from 2004 to 2011, spending most of his time as a U.S. Navy Seabee. His decision to enlist was shaped by his father’s service as a Vietnam-era Navy veteran, along with a strong sense of responsibility in the years following the attacks of September 11th.

During his time in uniform, Scott Friend had the opportunity to work alongside a JSOC team in Afghanistan. It was an experience that left a lasting impact on his understanding of leadership, discipline, and service to others.

After leaving active duty, Scott found himself drawn back to military service, later joining the U.S. Army Reserves Chaplain Corps as a Chaplain Candidate. That experience reinforced a lesson he had learned early in life. True leadership isn’t tied to rank. It’s about caring for people.

“Leadership isn’t about the title. It’s about showing up for people when it matters.”

While Scott’s transition to civilian life appeared smooth on paper, with both college and employment lined up, the adjustment still came with challenges. The structure of military life was suddenly gone, and success no longer felt clearly defined. He found direction by surrounding himself with fellow veterans who had already walked the path ahead of him, getting involved in his local church, and intentionally seeking mentors he could learn from.

Professionally, Scott spent years working in commercial construction before moving into his current role as an insurance broker. Today, he helps protect the businesses and people who build communities. Along the way, he launched The Construction Veteran Podcast, a platform focused on honest conversations and real stories about veterans finding purpose and leadership in the construction industry after service.

One of Scott’s proudest accomplishments since leaving the military has been providing for his family in a way that allowed his wife to stay home and raise their children. Through VetsForever, Scott also gained a deeper understanding of the mental health and physical challenges he had been carrying, and the realization that he didn’t have to face them alone.

“We were a team in the military, and that doesn’t change just because the uniform comes off.”

Looking ahead, Scott’s goal is simple. He wants to continue serving his family, his clients, and the veteran community, one conversation, one connection, and one act of service at a time.

If you have heart disease and also live with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, PTSD, kidney disease, or lung disease, reviewing your VA disability rating may be one of the most important steps you take to protect your long-term health and benefits.

Understanding Secondary Service Connection for Heart Conditions

A secondary service connection means a medical condition developed because of, or was worsened by, an already service-connected disability. The VA recognizes that the body works as an interconnected system. When one condition places strain on the body, other systems often suffer as a result.

Heart disease is a common example. Cardiovascular conditions frequently worsen over time due to:

• Chronic stress
  
• Disrupted sleep
  
• Metabolic disorders
  
• Long-term medication use
  

All of these are common among veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Importantly, a heart condition does not need to begin during military service to qualify for VA disability benefits. If it is aggravated by a service-connected condition, it may still be compensable.

Common Secondary Conditions That Can Aggravate Heart Disease

The VA commonly recognizes the following conditions as contributors to worsening heart health when supported by medical evidence:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. Veterans with service-connected hypertension often experience progressive cardiac strain that can lead to more serious heart conditions over time.

Diabetes

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease. When diabetes is service-connected, heart disease that develops later may qualify as a secondary condition.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea causes repeated oxygen deprivation and increased blood pressure during sleep, placing ongoing stress on the heart. Many veterans with service-connected sleep apnea later develop heart disease.

PTSD and Chronic Stress

PTSD is linked to elevated cortisol levels, inflammation, increased heart rate, and hypertension. Over time, chronic stress can materially worsen heart health and support secondary service connection.

Kidney Disease

The heart and kidneys work closely together. Kidney disease can increase blood pressure and fluid retention, placing additional strain on the heart.

Lung Disease

Respiratory conditions reduce oxygen efficiency, forcing the heart to work harder to circulate oxygen throughout the body.

Why Heart-Related Secondary Conditions Are Often Missed

Many veterans are rated for a primary condition but never evaluated for how it affects other systems. Heart conditions frequently develop years after an initial VA claim, long after a rating decision has been made.

Secondary heart conditions are often missed because:

• Veterans assume symptoms are age-related
  
• Secondary service connection is never explained
  
• Medical records are outdated
  
• Nexus language is missing from documentation
  
• Ratings have not been reviewed in years
  

Missing these connections can result in under-rated VA disability compensation.

How Secondary Conditions Can Increase Your VA Disability Rating

VA disability ratings are combined, not simply added. Even a modest secondary rating connected to a heart condition can significantly increase overall compensation and access to benefits.

Accurate ratings:

• Reflect the true impact of your health
  
• Support access to care and treatment
  
• Protect future claims and appeals
  
• Improve long-term financial stability
  

Secondary conditions are one of the most underutilized — yet effective — ways to correct an outdated VA disability rating.

When to Review Your VA Disability Rating

You should consider a VA disability rating review if:

• You have heart disease and one or more secondary conditions
  
• Symptoms or stamina have declined
  
• Medication use has increased
  
• Your rating has not been reviewed in several years
  

Heart health changes over time. Your VA disability rating should keep pace.

Take a Proactive Approach to Heart Health and Your Benefits

Heart conditions do not exist in isolation, and neither should your VA disability rating. If you are living with heart disease and service-connected secondary conditions, reviewing your benefits is responsible and appropriate.

At VetsForever, we help veterans understand how secondary conditions affect heart health and ensure those connections are properly reviewed.

Schedule a VA disability rating review with VetsForever to make sure your benefits reflect your current health.

By Trinidad Aguirre, CEO of VetsForever, a VA-accredited law firm

Veterans serve their countries with honor, and our service-disabled veterans deserve our appreciation and the benefits they’ve earned. Senate Bill 694 (SB 694) was introduced in 2025 and is moving through the California Legislature to protect California veterans from bad actors who take advantage of veterans in need of claims assistance. This discussion comes at a critical moment, as California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently issued a press release underscoring the urgency of SB 694 and highlighting the upcoming legislative vote to strengthen protections for veterans statewide.

The complex VA approval process drives many veterans to seek outside assistance with filing disability claims. VA-accredited law groups and VSOs can offer guidance and reduce roadblocks to approvals, but many unaccredited “consultants” gouge veterans in their time of need. Unfortunately, countless veterans fall prey to “claim sharks” each year who extract an exorbitant amount of money from service-disabled veterans. 

SB 694 would be a monumental step in protecting veterans in California by eradicating deceptive practices that target them. Specifically, it would prohibit any person from being paid for work related to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for federal veterans benefits unless they are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an attorney or claims agent.

Additionally, this bill would make it illegal for claim sharks to access VA computer systems using a veteran’s login information and to charge a fee for assistance with a veteran’s benefits claim that exceeds the fee that could be lawfully charged by a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent.

Constituents who desire to protect veterans in this meaningful way should contact their senators and representatives through the California Legislature’s “Find Your Representative” website and urge them to vote in favor of it in early 2026.

As a 100% service disabled veteran, it took me 20 years of debunking the myths and misinformation before I submitted my first VA claim with a VSO. Almost all of my initial claims were denied, and the frustration and anger I felt were beyond words. I doubled down and truly learned the VA process, paperwork, and the appeal process.

That experience drove me to start VetsForever, a VA-accredited law group that gives veterans a legal option beyond what even honorable VSO’s can provide. 

VetsForever applauds legal guardrails at the federal and state level to protect veterans from exploitation, including SB 694. We look forward to California joining the rapidly growing number of states that are protecting our veterans from claim sharks.

If the bill passes in the legislature, it will empower the California Attorney General and other law enforcement partners to pursue and prosecute those who violate the law and take advantage of vulnerable veterans by charging illegal or excessive fees or accessing their protected federal systems without authorization.

For More Info and Resources To Show Your Support For CA SB 694, Click HERE.

Why Accreditation Matters

Veterans deserve transparency, accountability, and access to the VA benefits they’ve earned.

Yet across the country, many companies claim they can help veterans file VA disability claims — even though most are not VA-accredited. Without accreditation, these groups often operate without federal oversight, fee limitations, or true accountability, creating risk for veterans navigating an already complicated process.

That’s why California Senate Bill 694 (SB 694) is so important.

SB 694, introduced in 2025 by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and now advancing through the California Legislature, would strengthen protections for veterans seeking VA disability claim assistance. With a pivotal early 2026 vote ahead, California has the opportunity to lead the way in veteran protections statewide.

How SB 694 Protects Veterans

The VA disability claims process is complex, and many veterans understandably seek help. Ethical resources exist, including VSOs and VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents — but unaccredited consultants continue to exploit loopholes.

SB 694 would help close those gaps by:

• Requiring VA accreditation for anyone charging a fee for VA claims help
• Prohibiting access to VA systems using a veteran’s login credentials
• Preventing excessive fees beyond what VA-accredited professionals can legally charge

These safeguards align with federal VA accreditation standards and help ensure veterans receive ethical, regulated support.

At VetsForever, we believe accreditation should be the baseline standard whenever money is involved in a veteran’s claim — not an optional credential. SB 694 strengthens trust in the system and protects the veterans and families who have earned these benefits.

Take Action: Contact Your California Senator

California residents can help protect veterans by contacting their senator and urging support for SB 694. Contact information can be found on the U.S. Senate website.

Copy + Send Template

Subject: Support SB 694 to Protect Veterans

Dear [Senator Name],

I am a constituent living in [City] and I urge you to support SB 694 and make protecting veterans from predatory VA disability claim practices a legislative priority.

Too many unaccredited claim consultants charge excessive fees and operate without oversight, putting veterans at financial risk and jeopardizing legitimate VA claims. SB 694 strengthens protections by reinforcing VA accreditation standards and promoting ethical, accountable support for veterans.

Thank you for your time and commitment to those who have served.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]
[City, State]

You can read more about why this issue matters in this Sacramento Bee article.

Veterans answered the call to serve. Now it is time for policymakers across the country to answer the call to protect them.

Your VA rating is not meant to stay frozen in time. Health changes. Conditions worsen. New diagnoses appear. Secondary conditions develop. Yet many veterans go years—sometimes decades—without reviewing whether their current rating still reflects their reality.

At VetsForever, we believe an annual VA rating review should be as routine as an annual physical. It is not about reopening old wounds. It is about making sure your benefits accurately reflect the service-connected conditions you live with today.

Why the New Year Is the Best Time to Review Your VA Rating

VA disability ratings are designed to evolve as your health evolves. The VA allows veterans to request increases when conditions worsen or when new, related conditions develop. Despite this, most veterans delay reevaluations, often assuming their rating is final or that the process is too complicated to revisit.

January creates a unique advantage:

• Medical appointments reset and availability improves
  
• New evidence can be gathered early in the year
  
• Filing sooner prevents months of underpayment
  
• Claims filed early often move faster than those submitted during peak backlog periods
  

Conditions naturally worsen with time, especially musculoskeletal injuries, tinnitus, mental health conditions, and chronic pain. Veterans also frequently develop secondary conditions years after service, even if their original rating never changed. Missing these updates can cost veterans thousands of dollars annually in tax-free benefits.

Many Veterans Are Under-Rated

Nearly one in three veterans believe their initial VA disability rating is too low. This is not uncommon. Initial claims are often filed during stressful transitions, rushed timelines, or without complete medical documentation. In many cases, the VA simply did not have the full picture.

Signs your rating may be outdated include:

• Increased pain or reduced mobility
  
• New medications or higher dosages
  
• Worsening mental health symptoms
  
• More frequent medical visits
  
• Changes in your ability to work or function day to day
  

Reevaluating early in the year means any increase applies across the entire calendar year, not just the remaining months. A short review now can have a meaningful financial and medical impact for the next twelve months and beyond.

Secondary Conditions Are One of the Most Overlooked Opportunities

Secondary conditions are one of the fastest-growing categories of VA claims, and they are often missed entirely. A secondary condition is a new disability that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.

Common examples include:

• Sleep apnea linked to PTSD
  
• Migraines related to traumatic brain injury or neck injuries
  
• Radiculopathy caused by back conditions
  
• GERD or gastrointestinal issues caused by long-term medication use
  
• Anxiety or depression stemming from chronic pain
  
• Balance issues related to tinnitus
  
• Hypertension associated with PTSD
  

These conditions can significantly impact a veteran’s combined rating, yet many veterans are never told they may qualify. A proper review looks at the full picture of how service-connected conditions affect your overall health today.

Life Changes Can Impact Your VA Rating

VA disability ratings are based on how conditions affect daily life and functioning. When life circumstances change, your rating may need to change too.

Situations that often warrant a review include:

• Job changes or job loss
  
• Reduced work capacity or missed work due to health
  
• Increased caregiving responsibilities
  
• Declining mobility or endurance
  
• Heightened mental health symptoms
  

Your rating should reflect how your conditions impact your ability to live, work, and function now—not how they affected you years ago.

Updated Evidence Strengthens Your Claim

One of the most common reasons ratings remain low is outdated or incomplete medical evidence. The VA prioritizes current documentation when evaluating claims. January is an ideal time to gather updated records, including:

• Annual wellness exams
  
• Mental health evaluations
  
• Imaging such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays
  
• Sleep studies
  
• Specialist visits
  
• Prescription changes
  
• Symptom journaling and functional impact notes
  

Strong, recent evidence dramatically improves claim outcomes and ensures the VA sees the full scope of what you are experiencing today.

Filing Early Helps You Avoid Annual Delays

The VA processed a record-breaking 3,001,734 claims in fiscal year 2025. While improvements have been made, volume still impacts timing. Veterans who file early in the year often experience shorter waits for exams and decisions.

Supplemental claims in particular show strong outcomes. Eighty-one percent of supplemental claims result in some level of monetary benefit, and more than 60 percent of initial claims are granted overall. Filing early helps position your claim ahead of seasonal backlogs and exam delays

Learn more about the VA claims process and how VetsForever supports veterans here.

Why Accredited Support Matters

Not all claims assistance is equal. Working with a VA-accredited law group protects veterans from costly mistakes and unethical practices.

Accredited representation means:

• Legal authorization to assist with VA claims
  
• Training in VA law and regulations
  
• Access to VA systems such as VBMS
  
• Ethical fee structures that comply with VA rules
  
• Fees charged only from awarded backpay
  
• Protection from predatory, unaccredited services
  

At VetsForever, our Advocate team are mostly all 100% Service Connected Rated Veterans and professionals who understand the system, review evidence thoroughly, and ensure claims are filed correctly the first time.

The Real Impact of an Accurate Rating

The difference between an average VA rating and an optimized one is substantial. The average VA claim results in a 30 percent rating, equating to approximately $7,776 per year. VetsForever clients average a 50 percent rating, earning roughly $15,444 annually. That is a difference of $7,668 in tax-free income every year.

Beyond finances, accurate ratings support access to care, reduce stress, and create long-term stability for veterans and their families.

Make January the Month You Take Stock

An annual VA rating review is not about questioning the past. It is about protecting your future. Health changes. Life changes. Your benefits should keep pace.

January is the reset your VA rating deserves.

If you have not reviewed your benefits recently, now is the time.

Connect with accredited support
Make sure your benefits reflect your service
Schedule a VA disability rating review with VetsForever today

At VetsForever, we are here to ensure veterans have clarity, confidence, and the benefits they earned; now and for years to come.

Non-Profits Leading the Way

Several organizations work tirelessly to bring holiday cheer and meaningful support to service members, veterans, and their families:

• Operation Homefront provides holiday meals, gifts, and essential support to military families.
  https://operationhomefront.org/holiday-meals-for-military/
  
• Toys for Tots ensures children receive gifts and holiday joy through local donation drives.
  https://www.toysfortots.org/find-your-local-chapter/
  
• Travis Manion Foundation strengthens communities by empowering veterans and families of the fallen to develop character in future generations. With local chapters across the country, TMF participates in year-round events including Wreaths Across America, 9/11 Heroes Runs, and service projects that support the military and veteran community.
  https://www.travismanion.org/
  
• One Tribe Foundation supports veterans, first responders, medical frontline workers, and their families through both traditional and non-traditional therapies. One Tribe Foundation is hosting its 5th Annual Season of Giving as they adopt 25 families in need. Community members can help make the holidays brighter by purchasing a gift from their Amazon wishlist.
  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QCMWM3SZ3B9C
  https://1tribefoundation.org/
  

Supporting these organizations through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness helps veterans feel valued, uplifted, and remembered during the holidays. To learn more about how VetsForever works alongside community groups, visit our Community Engagement page.

Community Events That Bring Joy

Communities across the country host holiday events that honor and support the military community. These events offer meaningful opportunities to give back, connect, and build relationships:

• Holiday dinners or gift drives hosted at Veteran Resource Centers or Veteran Retirement Centers
  
• Charity runs or walks benefiting veteran-focused causes
  
• Volunteer programs at veteran housing facilities or shelters

How You Can Help

There are countless ways to make a difference this season. Simple acts like sending a holiday card, inviting a veteran to a holiday meal, or delivering a care package can brighten someone’s day and remind them their service matters.

You can also call your local VFW or American Legion and ask how you can support a local veteran or military family this holiday season.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): https://www.vfw.org/
  
• American Legion: https://www.legion.org/

The Gift of Time

For veterans who may be isolated, living in assisted care, or recovering in hospitals, the gift of presence can be the most meaningful gift of all. Consider:

• Playing cards or board games
  
• Bringing homemade treats to local VFW or American Legions or call a local fire or police station to find out what items they need this holiday season
  
• Offering a listening ear to friend or family member who is struggling
  
• Helping with small errands or sending a thoughtful card to a neighbor or co-worker
  

Your time and compassion can make the season brighter for someone who needs it most.

Meaningful Ways to Give Back This Season

At VetsForever, we believe in supporting veterans year-round. During the holidays, that support becomes even more important. While some gestures are simple and heartfelt, others help meet immediate needs for connection, comfort, and stability. Learn more about how our accredited team stands beside veterans every day by visiting our VA Disability Claims Support page.

For veterans living with PTSD or managing a PTSD or Mental Health Disability Rating, this time of year can feel especially heavy. Crowds, disrupted routines, noise, emotional triggers, and expectations from others can heighten symptoms and make even familiar traditions feel difficult.

At VetsForever, we know that supporting veterans isn’t about one day—it’s about standing with you every step of the way. Especially during the holidays, you deserve space, understanding, and resources to help you navigate the season with confidence.

Below, you’ll find practical ways to protect your well-being, strengthen connection, and create meaningful moments—on your terms.

Understanding PTSD and Holiday Stress

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop following a traumatic event, including combat or military service. Symptoms may include:

• Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
• Heightened anxiety or hypervigilance
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability or sudden mood shifts
• Feeling detached or emotionally numb

These symptoms can intensify during the holidays due to:

• Unpredictable schedules
• Loud gatherings or crowded spaces
• Travel or unfamiliar environments
• Emotional triggers
• Pressure to participate in “festive” traditions

These symptoms impact your day-to-day life, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Knowing this can help you approach the season with clarity and self-compassion.

How Veterans Can Navigate the Holiday Season with Purpose and Peace

1. Prioritize Your Mental & Emotional Well-Being

Veterans, especially those managing PTSD, anxiety, or other service-related conditions may feel holiday stress more intensely. Protect your well-being by:

• Setting boundaries around gatherings, events, or conversations.
• Creating a quiet space at home or during events where you can decompress.
• Scheduling time for activities that bring joy, like reading, walking, listening to music, or spending time with a pet.

Your mental health matters. Choosing peace over pressure is not only okay; it’s necessary.

2. Connect with Loved Ones in Meaningful Ways

Connection doesn’t have to look like a big gathering. Sometimes the smallest gestures mean the most:

• Write a letter or card to a deployed service member.
• Schedule a virtual visit with friends or family who live far away.
• Invite another veteran, neighbor, or friend for a simple meal or coffee.

Meaningful connection can bring comfort without overwhelming your emotional bandwidth.

3. Give Back to the Military & Veteran Community

Acts of service can restore purpose and strengthen community. Consider:

• Donate or volunteer at veteran-focused holiday drives like Soldiers’ Angels or Operation Homefront.
• Participating in programs that adopt veteran families during the holidays.
• Mentoring younger service members or sharing your experience navigating VA benefits.

Giving back is powerful as it builds connection and uplifts others who may also be struggling this season.

4. Adapt Holiday Traditions to Fit Your Needs

Your holidays do not need to look like anyone else’s. You can:

• Focus on a few meaningful activities instead of trying to do everything.
• Invite loved ones to share responsibility for meals, events, or logistics.
• Create new traditions that reflect your current lifestyle, values, and emotional needs.

Traditions can evolve and honoring where you are now is a tradition in itself.

5. Leverage Available Resources When You Need Support

If the season becomes overwhelming, support is always available:

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, press 1, or text 838255
• Vet Centers: Free counseling, peer support, and local events
• VA Mental Health Services: Therapy, support groups, PTSD treatment, and coping tools
• Local Veteran Organizations: Many host social gatherings, volunteer programs, and holiday assistance. Examples are the VFW or American Legion or DAV.

You are never alone, even during the most difficult seasons.

Final Thoughts

The holidays offer an opportunity to reflect, connect, and give—but they can also amplify stress for many veterans. Setting boundaries, honoring your needs, and reaching out for support can make the season more manageable, meaningful, and grounded.

At VetsForever, we’re here to help you walk into the holidays with confidence and peace of mind. Your service matters. Your well-being matters. And this season, you deserve support, connection, and moments of genuine joy. If you need to talk with someone about any of this or want to understand PTSD or Mental Health Disability Ratings better; you can schedule a FREE session with one of our Advocates. We’re here to support you.