What evidence do I need to submit to prove a service-connected disability?

To prove a service-connected disability in Virginia, veterans must provide evidence that their disability arose from or was aggravated by their military service. This evidence typically consists of medical evidence from their service, such as a diagnosis in their military medical records. Veterans may also submit evidence from private physicians, such as medical records or examination results. Additionally, veterans may need to provide evidence of an “in-service” event, which must show that the disabling condition began in the time of service. For instance, a veteran who has an orthopedic injury may need to provide a statement from a medical professional or an eyewitness that describes the event that caused the injury, such as a gunshot wound or a vehicle accident. Furthermore, veterans may submit corroborative evidence that demonstrates their claim. This could be evidence such as discharge or separation documents, lay statements from family and friends that describe the symptoms or condition of the veteran, employment records that document a disability, and opinions from medical professionals. Finally, veterans should be aware that proof of a service-connected disability requires a specific level of proof - usually “clear and unmistakable” evidence - to support the claim. Veterans should keep all evidence as complete and organized as possible to support their claims and must submit all evidence to the local Virginia Veterans Affairs office.

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What evidence do I need to submit to prove a service-connected disability?

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