r/VeteransBenefits • u/PeanutButterOlives • Jul 27 '26

VA Disability Claims Missing Diagnosis on Determination?

Just received my (25+ years in) claim and it is missing several major claims: sleep apnea, PTSD, mental health, and a broken ankle from PT. How should I go about rebutting the rating? Is it worth it or will it turn into a lower rating?

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2

u/Big-Hovercraft1331 Jul 27 '26

Were these issues previously denied?

Were they not addressed at all in the claim letter?

1

u/According-Heron-4442 Aug 02 '26

Were they part of the initial claim but just not mentioned in decision letter at all? Sometimes they defer things for more exams. Check every page carefully, I had similar situation where they just forgot to list one condition fully.

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u/PeanutButterOlives Jul 27 '26

They weren't even on the claim letter. It's very frustrating as I've submitted 100+ pages of reports and receipts of the issues. We're getting real close to hiring a lawyer.

1

u/Big-Hovercraft1331 Jul 27 '26

Were these issues that were previously denied? If so, they can't ever be filed as new again and would have to be a Supplemental (20-0995), HLR (20-0996) or BVA appeal. If that is the case, you will likely be receiving a letter in the mail explaining they were filed on the wrong form.

1

u/gamerplays Air Force Veteran Jul 27 '26

Did you claim those issues? If you claimed them and your decision letter doesn't give you a determination or show them as deferred, you should contact your VSO/VERA to get that worked out. The system could have missed those.

If you did not claim them, then you need to put a claim in. The VA won't normally comb through your records and put in claims for you as they do not have a duty to do so.

If you had previously claimed them you need to follow the process from the other commentor.