Based on your responses, we've outlined your personalized situation and recommended next steps below!
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What these denials mean:
These denials are confirming that there is a mental disorder, but they are asserting that it is not a compensable disability because it's a preexisting condition that was not aggravated beyond its natural course of progression by anything in the service.
Typically, a preexisting condition would have been diagnosed prior to enlistment and should have been recorded on the enlistment examination report.
However, there are a few mental disorders that may not have been diagnosed before service, but once diagnosed, they are automatically considered to have been preexisting. These include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Personality Disorders. Each of these are considered to be congenital and developmental in nature, which means they would have only developed prior to military.
You can still get service-connection for a mental disorder, if:
Your non-compensable mental disorder was diagnosed in error. Or, you developed an additional mental disorder during/because of service that has gone undiagnosed thus far.
How?
- Records Review - You would need to provide me with relevant pre-military, military, and post-military records. I would start with a Records Review, so I can assess the accuracy of your diagnosis, evidence suggesting an additional or alternative diagnosis, and a possible nexus to service.
- Independent Medical Examination (IME) - Then, we would go through the IME process to determine if you have an additional or alternative diagnosis.
- Nexus Letter - If you have a different mental disorder and evidence of a nexus to your service, I can write a nexus letter to support your claim.
Standard VA Disability Claim Process
The VA will provide:
- Free medical examination
- Free records review
Your Fieldstone Service Plan:
Estimated Total Cost:
$2,500
Phase one: $1450 (due at booking)
- Records Review: $350
- Forensic analysis of up to 50 pages* of records.
- Independent Medical Exam (IME): $1100
- 1-hour telehealth examination
If you have a different mental disorder and evidence of a nexus to your service, you can choose to move forward with Phase 2. If not, this concludes the process.
Phase 2: $1050 (billed only after Phase 1)
- Nexus Letter: $1,050
- A formal independent medical opinion (IMO) supporting a direct service connection.
Timeline:
Phase 1
- Sign-up & Pay: Secure your plan and access intake packet.
- Intake & Upload: Complete intake forms and upload medical/employment records.
- Confirmation & Assessment: When you confirm you have completed your records submission, you will be directed to complete clinical assessments.
- Scheduling: Upon completing assessments, you will schedule your telehealth exam.
- Deliverables: You will receive your Completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) and written clinical summary via secure email message within 1 week of your exam.
If you have a different mental disorder and evidence of a nexus to your service, you can choose to move forward with Phase 2. If not, this concludes the process.
Phase 2
- Pay: Secure second Phase of your plan
- Lock-in Delivery Date: Upon paying, you will be redirected to a scheduling calendar where you will "lock in" the date by which your IMO will be emailed to you.
- Deliverables: You will receive IMO by secure email by End of Business on the date you reserved.
*Files exceeding 50 pages will incur a fee of $100 per 50-page increment.
Ready to book your service?
We're ready to help! Sign up for your Fieldstone Service Plan below.
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