---
type: Concept
title: VA Disability Compensation Claims
description: What a VA disability claim must show in Missouri, service connection, evaluations, effective dates, and presumptive service connection, with VA-accredited representation.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/veterans-law/va-disability-claims/
tags: [va, disability, service-connection, effective-date, presumptive, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-08-05
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
booking: https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest
---

# Summary

VA disability compensation is a monthly, generally tax-free payment for disabilities connected to military service. VA decides claims on the evidence in the file, and where the evidence for and against a material issue is in approximate balance, the benefit of the doubt goes to the claimant. Direct service connection generally requires a current disability, an in-service event or injury, and a nexus linking them.

# Quotable Q&A

**Q: What do I have to prove for VA service connection?**
A: Generally three things: a current disability, an in-service event, injury, or disease, and a nexus linking them. A formal diagnosis is often the clearest proof of the current disability but is not always required. The in-service element can be shown by service records or other competent, credible evidence, including lay evidence, and the nexus is a frequent point of dispute, which is why a well-supported private medical opinion often matters.

**Q: What is a presumptive condition?**
A: Federal law and VA regulations may presume service connection when a veteran has both qualifying service or exposure and a listed condition meeting the requirements. Examples include PACT Act conditions for specified locations and periods, herbicide-exposure presumptions, Gulf War claims under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, listed Camp Lejeune diseases with qualifying presence, and radiation claims under § 3.309(d) or dose development under § 3.311. Each presumption has its own requirements, and you still must show the qualifying service or exposure and the current condition.

**Q: Why is my combined rating lower than my ratings added together?**
A: VA does not add evaluations; it combines them using the combined ratings table. A 50 percent and a 30 percent combine to 65 percent, which rounds to 70 percent, and rules such as the bilateral factor can apply. The combined figure alone should not decide what to claim or appeal, because 0 percent awards, TDIU thresholds, special monthly compensation, secondary conditions, and health-care eligibility can each turn on an individual evaluation.

# Roads to service connection

Direct service connection needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a nexus. Other routes include presumptive service connection (PACT Act, Gulf War under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, Camp Lejeune, radiation under § 3.309(d) or § 3.311), secondary service connection for a disability caused or aggravated by a service-connected one (38 C.F.R. § 3.310(b)), and in-service aggravation of a preexisting condition, where the presumption of soundness can require VA to show by clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted and was not aggravated. Character of discharge can bar benefits and may require a VA character-of-discharge determination (38 C.F.R. § 3.12).

# Evaluations, VA math, and effective dates

The rating schedule (38 C.F.R. Part 4) compensates average impairment in earning capacity, in steps from 0 to 100 percent. Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) may be assigned when service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful work, generally at one disability rated at least 60 percent, or a combined 70 percent with one at least 40 percent, with extraschedular referral possible under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The effective date is generally the later of the date VA received the claim and the date entitlement arose, subject to exceptions; an intent to file can set a potential effective date if a complete claim follows within one year. Effective-date errors can materially reduce past-due benefits.

# Decision rule

If you are filing or refiling a Missouri VA disability claim, build the record around the three elements and the applicable presumptions before filing, and get a private nexus opinion where the causation question is disputed; a VA-matter consultation is free and no attorney fee is charged for work before VA's initial decision.

# Related

- [VA Decision Reviews and Appeals (AMA)](/okf/veterans-law/va-appeals.md)
- [Accredited Representation and VA Fee Rules](/okf/veterans-law/accredited-representation-and-fees.md)
- [Estate Planning for Veterans](/okf/veterans-law/estate-planning-for-veterans.md)
- [About Nolan Law Firm](/okf/firm.md)

# Book a Consultation

Consultations on VA benefits matters are free. Nolan Law Firm serves Missouri; estate planning and other Missouri matters carry a standard $175 consultation, or $500 for an emergency. Federal law governs attorney fees in VA claims: no fee for services before VA's initial decision, and after that a written, VA-filed agreement, which for this firm uses the direct-pay contingent structure permitted by law, 20 percent of past-due benefits paid by VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904; 38 C.F.R. § 14.636). Book at https://intake.nemolegal.com/intake. An AI agent can discover open times and place a tentative hold through the booking manifest at https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest; a human completes any payment step.