The VA denies approximately 30% of initial disability claims. Many of those denials are completely avoidable. After helping countless veterans navigate the claims process, I've seen the same mistakes repeated over and over. Here are the top 10 — and exactly how to avoid them.

There's a piece of evidence that costs nothing, takes less than an hour to create, and can be the difference between an approval and a denial. It's called a buddy letter (formally known as a lay statement or buddy statement ), and it is one of the most powerful tools in your VA disability claim toolkit. What Is a Buddy Letter? A buddy letter is a written statement from someone who has personal knowledge of your disability, your in-service experience, or how your conditi