Proud Veteran-Owned Business Partner to The Purple Heart Foundation
You have the legal right to submit medical evidence from a private provider to support your VA disability claim. In fact, getting a medical second opinion—formally known as an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)—is often the critical step needed to overturn a denial or increase a low disability rating.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a “duty to assist” veterans, but the system is huge and overwhelmed. Mistakes happen every day. If you feel your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam was rushed, incomplete, or unfair, you do not have to accept that result as the final word on your health. You can fight for your quality of life.
At VMHA, our mission is to increase the mental health and well-being of our veteran community. We refuse to let veterans settle for less than they deserve. Here is everything you need to know about getting a second opinion, why it matters for your mental health claim, and how to choose a provider who values ethical advocacy over quick profits.
You finally had your C&P exam for your mental health condition. You were nervous, but you showed up ready to tell your story. Unfortunately, the appointment didn’t go as planned.
Maybe the exam felt rushed, lasting only 15 or 20 minutes. Maybe the examiner seemed dismissive, stared at their computer the whole time, or didn’t ask about your worst days. Weeks later, you received a decision letter that denied your claim for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or anxiety, or gave you a rating that feels far too low for the struggles you deal with daily.
This is a common reality for many veterans. The VA relies heavily on these exams, but the examiners are often booked back-to-back. In such a short time, it is almost impossible for a stranger to fully understand the depth of your service trauma and how it affects your work, relationships, and daily life.
Errors in the VA process are not just anecdotal; they are documented. According to a 2018 report by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (OIG), an estimated 49% of denied claims for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) were not processed correctly in accordance with VA policy.
While this statistic highlights MST specifically, it points to a broader truth: the VA claims process is not perfect. Valid claims get denied due to processing errors, missed details, or examiners who lack the specific expertise to understand complex military trauma.
If your examiner missed key details, misdiagnosed you, or stated your condition isn’t related to service when you know it is, you need a second opinion to set the record straight.
When we talk about a “medical second opinion” for a VA claim, we aren’t just talking about seeing a therapist for weekly treatment. We are talking about obtaining private medical evidence designed specifically for legal and administrative purposes.
To win your claim, you generally need three things: a current diagnosis, documented evidence, and a medical nexus linking your military service to your condition. A second opinion helps establish that link. This evidence usually comes in two forms:
A mental health nexus letter is an expert medical opinion that connects your current diagnosis directly to an event, injury, or the mental health impact of your service history. The VA requires a medical professional to state that it is “at least as likely as not” (50% probability or greater) that your condition is service-connected.
Without this medical rationale, even a severe diagnosis can be denied because the VA doesn’t see proof that the military caused it.
A DBQ is the exact same form that VA C&P examiners use. A private licensed psychologist can complete this form to document the severity of your symptoms according to strict VA standards.
A DBQ can ensure that all your symptoms are recorded accurately; however, the space provided can be limiting and does not always allow your examiner to tell your full story.
Learn more about the difference between a Nexus Letter and a DBQ here.
Yes. By law, the VA is required to consider all competent medical evidence submitted with a claim. However, the keyword here is “competent.”
Not all second opinions are created equal. The VA rater will weigh the evidence from your private doctor against the evidence from the C&P examiner. This is called “weighing the evidence.”
At VMHA, we are proud that the VA continues to provide positive feedback about the quality and professionalism of our reports. When a report is well-reasoned and based on a comprehensive evaluation, it acts as a powerful counterbalance to a negative C&P exam.
You can get an Independent Medical Opinion for many mental health conditions. At VMHA, we specialize in helping veterans document the following:
Did you know you can file a claim for a mental health issue that was caused by a physical service-connected disability?
For example, many veterans suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or chronic pain from service injuries. Over time, this constant pain or noise can lead to depression or severe sleep impairment. A nexus letter can link your mental health condition to that physical injury. This is known as a secondary service connection, and it is a valid path to increasing your overall rating.
Read our guide on Secondary Conditions to Tinnitus.
If you search online for “nexus letters,” you will find dozens of options. However, the VA disability industry is filled with low quality companies and “claim sharks” who prey on veterans.
It is vital to choose a provider who offers ethical advocacy and uncompromising quality. Here is how VMHA stands apart as a veteran-owned business:
Many companies operate as “referral networks.” They take your money and then contract a random doctor in your area who they may have never met. You have no idea if that doctor understands the VA system.
At VMHA, we are not a network. We have an internal team of licensed psychologists who are actual employees. This ensures consistency and reliability in every exam we conduct. Having an in-house team allows for strict quality control, meaning you get a superior product every time.
Understanding VA law is complicated. A regular clinical psychologist may not know the specific language required for a VA claim or how to write a medical rationale that holds up to scrutiny.
Our providers undergo extensive training and supervision that other organizations simply do not provide. We also utilize specialized, tech-enabled software with built-in Quality Assurance (QA). This ensures we ask the right questions to capture the true severity of your condition, minimizing errors before they happen.
We believe in absolute transparency. Many “claim sharks” will try to charge you 5 times your monthly increase or take a percentage of your backpay. This practice goes against our values.
At VMHA, we charge a flat, upfront fee. There are no hidden costs, and we never take a percentage of your backpay benefits. Your benefits belong to you.
You don’t have to take our word for it. The experience of other veterans is often the best guide. Many veterans have felt hopeless after a bad C&P exam, only to find success after seeking a professional second opinion.
Here is what one veteran shared in a confirmed Google Review about their experience with VMHA:
“VMHA was heaven sent! I have had a really rough time researching and finding a company that felt compassionate and trustworthy then along came the VMHA team. Everyone was so accommodating and transparent in the process and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of individuals. The owner Dwayne is top tier! He was very flexible and understanding about my financial situation and offered great payment options to mitigate one less stressor. Mrs. Desirae was an amazing assistant as well and was ALWAYS available thru call, email or text. And to top it all off, Dr. Moses was the icing!! The most compassionate, understanding and professional psychologist that one could ever dream of. Her attention to detail, diagnosis expertise and nexus letter was the prize. I could go on and on but everyone PLEASE don’t go thru this process alone. Give VMHA a try and see for yourself. The small fee is nothing compared to the big reward this company offers in return!! Therefore it’s your best investment.”
We know the process can be confusing. Here are answers to the most common questions veterans ask us.
It is highly unlikely that a professional, honest second opinion will hurt your claim. The VA is required to review it. The worst-case scenario is usually that they review it but still decide to stick with their original findings. However, a well-written report from an expert psychologist often provides the necessary medical evidence to overturn a denial or increase a low rating.
No. VMHA conducts secure telehealth exams. This means you can complete your comprehensive evaluation from the comfort of your home. Our video-based exams meet all VA standards and allow us to help veterans in multiple states, including Texas, Florida, California, and North Carolina.
Missing records are a common hurdle, but not a dead end. We conduct a thorough review of whatever personnel records or medical documentation you do have. Our psychologists are skilled at interviewing you to establish a narrative and medical history, even when the paper trail is incomplete.
The cost varies significantly depending on who you use. Some private doctors charge hourly rates that add up quickly. Some companies charge thousands of dollars or demand a large chunk of your future backpay. At VMHA, we offer a free consultation to see if we can help, and we charge a clear, flat fee for our documents.
Check our transparent pricing on our Services page.
So, are veterans allowed to get a medical second opinion? Yes.
Should you get one if you feel the VA has gotten it wrong? Absolutely.
Your mental health and your financial stability are too important to leave to chance or a single, rushed VA appointment. You owe it to yourself to ensure your claim is based on a complete, accurate picture of your service and your health.
VMHA helps veterans get the mental health benefits they deserve by providing the high-quality medical evidence needed to win claims. We are trusted by Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and have maintained a 95% success rate for our clients because we refuse to cut corners.
Don’t settle for a denial.
Click here to take our Free Intake Quiz and see if a Nexus Letter is right for you.
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