IF YOU NEED HELP RIGHT NOW

Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (press 1)

Text 838255 | Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net | 24/7/365 | Confidential

You do not need to be enrolled in VA healthcare. You do not need a VA rating. You do not need to be in immediate danger. If you are struggling, that is enough reason to call.

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Veteran Mental Health

Mental health conditions are the most common service-connected disabilities in the VA system. PTSD alone accounts for more claims than any other single condition. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, or anything else that followed you home from service, you are not broken and you are not alone. This page organizes every resource by what you need and when you need it.

DISCLAIMER: Educational resource only. Not medical or legal advice. Claim Recon is not a healthcare provider. If you are in crisis, call 988 and press 1. Full Disclaimer

IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

Veterans Crisis Line

Call 988 (press 1) | Text 838255

Call, text, or chat. 24/7/365. Trained responders, many are veterans. Free and confidential for all veterans, service members, and their families.

veteranscrisisline.net/ →

Vet Center Combat Call Center

1-877-927-8387 (24/7)

Confidential call center specifically for combat veterans and their families. Readjustment counseling, not a crisis line. Good for when you need someone who gets it.

vetcenter.va.gov/ →

SAMHSA National Helpline

1-800-662-4357

Free, confidential, 24/7 referral and information service for substance use and mental health disorders. Available in English and Spanish.

samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline →

VA MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

VA provides mental health services at no cost to eligible veterans. You do not need a service-connected mental health rating to receive VA mental health care.

VA Mental Health Services

Individual and group therapy, medication management, PTSD treatment programs (CPT, PE, EMDR), substance use treatment, and more. Available at every VA medical center.

mentalhealth.va.gov/ →

Vet Centers (Readjustment Counseling)

Community-based counseling centers separate from VA medical centers. Confidential. No paperwork goes to your VA medical record. Walk-in availability at 300+ locations.

vetcenter.va.gov/ →

VA Whole Health Program

Holistic wellness approach including mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, nutrition, and complementary therapies alongside traditional mental health treatment.

va.gov/wholehealth/ →

VA Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Outpatient and residential programs for alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) available.

mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/index.asp →

VA Telehealth (VA Video Connect)

Access mental health appointments from home. Available for therapy, psychiatry, and group sessions. No travel required.

mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect →

MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA (MST)

VA provides free MST-related healthcare and counseling to all veterans, regardless of discharge status, VA enrollment, or whether you reported the incident during service. This includes therapy, medication management, and inpatient treatment if needed.

PTSD claims based on MST use a relaxed evidentiary standard under 38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(5). You do not need a police report, a restricted report, or documentation from the time of the incident. Behavioral changes, buddy statements, and counseling records can all serve as evidence.

VA MST Resources

Find MST coordinators at your local VA, access specialized treatment, and learn about the claims process for MST-related conditions.

mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome/index.asp →

Safe Helpline (DoD)

1-877-995-5247

Confidential crisis support for sexual assault survivors in the military community. Chat, call, or text.

safehelpline.org/ →

Full MST Claims Guide on Claim Recon →

MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS & VA RATINGS

Mental health conditions are rated under 38 C.F.R. 4.130 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on occupational and social impairment.

PTSD

Most claimed

Major Depressive Disorder

Often secondary

Generalized Anxiety

Often secondary

Adjustment Disorder

Common at separation

Bipolar Disorder

Panic Disorder

Insomnia

Secondary to PTSD

Traumatic Brain Injury

Separate criteria

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive

Browse all condition guides →

HOW MENTAL HEALTH RATINGS WORK

All mental health conditions use the same rating formula under 38 C.F.R. 4.130. The VA rates based on how much your symptoms interfere with your ability to work and maintain relationships. The key breakpoints:

0%Diagnosed but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with work or social functioning
10%Mild symptoms controlled by medication
30%Occasional decrease in work efficiency due to symptoms (depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment)
50%Reduced reliability and productivity (flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment)
70%Deficiencies in most areas: work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood
100%Total occupational and social impairment

M21-1, Part IV.ii.4.B covers how raters evaluate mental disorder claims. Your C&P exam will include a structured interview assessing occupational and social functioning.

NON-VA SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Give an Hour

Free mental health services from licensed providers who volunteer their time for military personnel and families.

giveanhour.org/ →

Cohen Veterans Network

Nonprofit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, active duty, and families. Low cost or free. No VA enrollment needed.

cohenveteransnetwork.org/ →

Headstrong Project

Free, confidential mental health treatment for post-9/11 veterans. No insurance, no VA referral, no bureaucracy. Walk in.

theheadstrongproject.org/ →

Team Red White & Blue

Social fitness through physical activity and community. Not therapy, but proven to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.

teamrwb.org/ →

Boulder Crest Foundation

Post-traumatic growth programs. Warrior PATHH program provides free retreats focused on turning trauma into growth.

bouldercrest.org/ →

UNDERSTAND YOUR RATING

Check how your mental health rating combines with your other conditions. See what secondary conditions may apply. Show up prepared.

VA Calculator →Secondary Conditions →C&P Exam Prep →

Homeless Veterans

Housing & support

After Service

Career & resume tools

Resources

Forms & links

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ONLY. NOT MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, CALL 988 AND PRESS 1.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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