Depression can be one of the most difficult conditions a Veteran faces after leaving the military. It may affect every part of life—your relationships, your sleep, your ability to focus, and even your willingness to engage in daily activities. If you are struggling with depression that began during or worsened after your service, you may qualify for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Filing Veterans’ depression claims in Parkersburg can provide the support you need to focus on your recovery and stability.
The VA recognizes that service can expose Veterans to extreme stress, trauma, and emotional hardship, leading to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Unfortunately, proving that depression is service-connected can be complicated. A VA-accredited attorney can help you collect the medical evidence and personal documentation needed to strengthen your claim.
Depression among Veterans in Parkersburg often develops as a result of service experiences, such as witnessing traumatic events, adjusting to life after combat, or enduring chronic pain from service-connected injuries. The VA categorizes depression as a mental health disorder that may be directly or secondarily connected to your military service.
For example, if you developed depression after a back or spinal injury that limited your mobility, the depression could be considered a secondary condition. Similarly, if your symptoms began during active duty and continued after discharge, the VA may recognize a direct connection to your service.
When evaluating Veterans’ depression disability claims, the VA assigns a rating from 0% to 100% based on how severely the condition affects your daily life and ability to work. This rating is determined through medical evidence, a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, and any supporting lay statements from friends, family members, or fellow service members who can describe how depression impacts your daily activities.
The VA uses a scale to measure the degree of social and occupational impairment caused by depression. A lower rating, such as 10% or 30%, may apply to Veterans with mild or occasional symptoms, while a 70% or 100% rating is reserved for those with severe limitations that interfere with most aspects of daily life.
Because depression is an invisible illness, it can be challenging to communicate its full impact. Veterans filing depression disability claims should document changes in sleep patterns, energy levels, concentration, and emotional well-being. It is also important to provide treatment records from mental health professionals, therapy notes, or medication prescriptions that demonstrate ongoing care.
Even though depression is treatable, its effects may linger for years. The VA acknowledges that improvement does not always mean recovery, and benefits for a diagnosis of depression are designed to provide ongoing support for Parkersburg Veterans who experience lasting symptoms. If your initial claim is denied or rated too low, an attorney can help you appeal the decision through the appropriate VA process.
If you are living with depression related to your military service, you deserve recognition and support. Our compassionate attorneys at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, can help you pursue your Veterans’ depression claim in Parkersburg with accuracy and care.
Contact us to set up a free meeting to learn more. We have decades of experience helping Veterans nationwide secure the VA disability benefits they earned through service.
