VA disability benefits for mental health discharge... any advice?

Military Law Discussions
1

Hey everyone, just wanted to see if anyone here has experience with VA disability claims for mental health issues tied to their discharge. Here’s the situation: Someone completes basic training and MOS training in the Coast Guard Reserve. On the last day, their CO tells them not to come back. They go through six months of mental health assessments and get an honorable administrative discharge with an enlistment rating of 4.

The DD214 doesn’t mention mental health, but they did attend months of psychiatric treatment before being discharged. Fast forward, they now have Parkinson’s (possibly linked to environmental toxins like PFAS on a ship they served on) but don’t get VA disability benefits. A recent psych assessment highlighted these facts, but nothing officially links their discharge to military service.

Can they still qualify for VA disability benefits? What would help strengthen the case? Any advice is appreciated!

2

I’d say they definitely have a case. VA benefits are like worker’s comp—you just need to prove the connection.

3

Alex said:
I’d say they definitely have a case. VA benefits are like worker’s comp—you just need to prove the connection.

Good to know! Any tips on proving the connection? It’s been decades since the discharge.

4

Alex said:
I’d say they definitely have a case. VA benefits are like worker’s comp—you just need to prove the connection.

A doctor’s letter linking their mental health issues at discharge to their current diagnosis is key. The VA takes those seriously.

5

The PFAS angle could be big. Isn’t Parkinson’s a presumptive condition for that now?

6

Eli said:
The PFAS angle could be big. Isn’t Parkinson’s a presumptive condition for that now?

Yeah, I think so! PFAS exposure has a ton of presumptive conditions tied to it. Definitely worth looking into.

7

Eli said:
The PFAS angle could be big. Isn’t Parkinson’s a presumptive condition for that now?

What does ‘presumptive condition’ mean? Sorry if that’s a basic question.

8

Eli said:
The PFAS angle could be big. Isn’t Parkinson’s a presumptive condition for that now?

No worries! It means the VA assumes the condition is service-related if you meet certain criteria, so proving it is easier.

9

If they haven’t applied yet, they should start ASAP. Even if denied, they can appeal with better evidence later.

10

Ocean said:
If they haven’t applied yet, they should start ASAP. Even if denied, they can appeal with better evidence later.

Totally agree. VA claims can take a while, so starting early is a good idea.

11

Mental health issues not being on the DD214 isn’t a dealbreaker. The VA often works with other evidence, like psych treatment records.

12

Cody said:
Mental health issues not being on the DD214 isn’t a dealbreaker. The VA often works with other evidence, like psych treatment records.

That’s reassuring. The psych records from back then exist, so that could help, right?

13

Cody said:
Mental health issues not being on the DD214 isn’t a dealbreaker. The VA often works with other evidence, like psych treatment records.

Definitely. Pair that with a doc’s statement about how it connects to their current condition, and it should be solid.

14

Just curious, why didn’t they get benefits when they first got out? Was it denied, or did they not apply?

15

Axel said:
Just curious, why didn’t they get benefits when they first got out? Was it denied, or did they not apply?

Good question. I think they didn’t apply back then because it wasn’t clear how everything was connected.

16

Axel said:
Just curious, why didn’t they get benefits when they first got out? Was it denied, or did they not apply?

That happens a lot. Back in the day, people didn’t know their rights or how to apply for stuff like this.