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. If there is a documented condition on the enlistment exam, the burden of proof falls on the Veteran to prove that their condition was aggravated in service.
You can still get service-connection for a mental disorder, if:
You had a documented preexisting condition, but it ended up getting way worse than what would be typically expected due to your service.
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 review to determine the pre-military level of impairment and to assess for evidence regarding aggravation and a potential nexus to service.
- Independent Medical Examination (IME) - Then, we would go through the IME process to determine your current level of impairment.
- Nexus Letter - Since the burden of proof falls on the Veteran to prove aggravation, my comparison of your pre-military level of impairment to your present-day level of impairment will determine whether 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 there is evidence of aggravation, 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 there is evidence of aggravation, 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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