VA Disability Evaluations & Nexus Letters
Independent psychological evaluations for veterans with mental health disability claims.
When a VA Disability Evaluation May Help
An independent evaluation can document your diagnosis, current symptoms, how they affect your daily and work functioning, and whether the clinical findings support a relationship to military service. Veterans often seek one when they are filing an initial claim, appealing a denial, claiming a secondary condition, requesting a rating increase, or responding to a VA request for evidence.
We also accept referrals from attorneys and VA-accredited representatives who need an independent psychological evaluation to address the issues in a VA decision. Send us the referral questions, the reason for denial, and any deadline, and we will confirm the scope and timeline before scheduling via referrals@ithriveinwellness.com.
What the VA Disability Evaluation Includes
This is a full, independent psychological evaluation, not simply another letter or DBQ. A licensed psychologist brings your history, records, clinical interview, and standardized testing together in a signed report that explains the findings.
Clinical interview covering your history, symptoms, and how your condition affects daily life and work.
Standardized psychological testing to clarify your symptoms and support the clinical conclusions.
Record review of the relevant documents you have available, including prior VA examinations and decisions. You can schedule while your C-file or other records are still pending.
Comprehensive written report documenting the diagnoses, symptoms, and functional effects supported by the evaluation.
Nexus opinion and applicable DBQ, when supported by the findings.
The evaluation fee is $2,000. Reports are generally delivered within 10–14 business days after the evaluation.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Book a Consultation
Start with a free 15-minute phone call. We’ll call you at your scheduled time to discuss your claim, explain the evaluation process, and address any questions you may have.
Step 2:
Schedule Your Evaluation
We’ll send booking instructions and explain how to submit records you have, such as your VA decision letter, prior C&P report, or relevant mental health records. No C-file yet? You can still schedule your evaluation.
Step 3:
Clinical Interview & Testing
Attend your appointment at our Houston office to discuss your service, symptoms, and functioning. Standardized psychological testing is included.
Step 4:
Written Report, Nexus Opinion & DBQ
Within 10–14 business days, receive a signed report documenting your diagnosis, symptom severity, and functional impact, with a nexus opinion and DBQ when supported by the findings. Submit your documents to the VA or share them with your representative.
A VA decision letter, C&P report, or mental health record may describe your condition in a way that doesn’t match your experience. A focused record review takes a closer look at the specific finding that concerns you, explains what your records support, and identifies what a full evaluation could address. Start with a consultation.
When Your Records Don’t Tell the Full Story
Frequently Asked Questions
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The C-file or relevant service records can help document the connection to military service, but you can get started without them.
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The evaluation may include a nexus opinion, a completed DBQ, or both. A nexus opinion addresses whether your mental health condition is connected to your military service. A DBQ records your diagnosis, symptoms, and their impact on an official VA form used to evaluate your claim.
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Yes. If you provide the prior exam, it will be reviewed as part of your evaluation. Your report will explain its own findings and address any important differences from the earlier exam.
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Yes. The evaluation can address mental health conditions caused or made worse by a service-connected condition, such as depression related to chronic pain or anxiety related to tinnitus. We consider how your physical health affects your mental health, but we do not evaluate the physical condition itself.
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This isn't just another letter. It's a full evaluation by a licensed psychologist who reviews your VA decision and records, conducts standardized psychological testing, and puts the findings together in a signed report you can submit to the VA or share with your representative.
Start Your VA Evaluation
Book a free 15-minute consultation to review your situation, your service history, and the documentation your claim requires.