INDEPENDENT PRIVATE PRACTICE / VA MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
Independent psychological evaluations for VA mental health claims
Dr. Bell is a licensed psychologist with experience across the VA disability examination system—including more than six years as a VA C&P psychologist, eight years conducting examinations for a VA prime contractor, and independent private practice specializing in VA disability claims. Across these settings, he has completed more than 10,000 mental health evaluations for veterans.
Dr. Bell personally reviews your records, conducts your evaluation, and authors every opinion he signs. You will work directly with him from scheduling and evaluation through the final report.
Independent private practice. Mental health. Telehealth in 40+ PSYPACT states. Not affiliated with VA.
01 / VA MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS
A strong claim is built on the right clinical evidence.
Depending on your claim, an evaluation may need to address what caused a condition, what diagnosis fits, whether symptoms can be separated, or how much the condition has worsened. Start with the topic that best fits your situation.
Each topic links to a plain-language guide with hypothetical examples.
PTSD FROM TRAUMA DURING SERVICEDid a traumatic event during service lead to PTSD?
Combat or hostile activity
Is PTSD linked to combat, enemy fire, or fear of an enemy or terrorist attack during service?
MST or other personal trauma
Is PTSD linked to sexual assault or harassment, physical assault, stalking, partner abuse, or other personal trauma during service?
Other traumatic events or military duties
Is PTSD linked to an accident, disaster, witnessing death or serious injury, handling human remains, or repeated exposure to traumatic events during military work?
CONNECTION TO SERVICE OR ANOTHER CONDITIONIs the condition linked to service—or was it caused or made worse by another service-connected condition?
Other mental health conditions linked to service
Did depression, anxiety, insomnia, or another condition start in service, result from something that happened during service, or get worse during service?
One mental health condition caused by another
Did PTSD, depression, or another service-connected mental health condition cause or worsen a second condition, such as insomnia?
Mental health caused by a medical condition
Did tinnitus, chronic pain, migraines, sleep apnea, or another service-connected health condition cause or worsen a mental health condition?
DIAGNOSIS, OVERLAP & CURRENT SEVERITYSome claims ask what diagnosis fits, whether symptoms can be separated, or how much a condition has worsened.
TBI and mental health
Which symptoms come from TBI? Which come from a mental health condition? Can their effects on work and relationships be separated?
Eating disorders
What eating disorder is present? How severe is it? Is it linked to service or another service-connected condition?
Mental health increase evaluations
Has a service-connected mental health condition gotten worse? We compare current symptoms with earlier exams and records and assess their effects on daily life, relationships, and work.
02 / CLAIMS READINESS CHECK
Where are you in the VA mental health claim process?
Answer a few private questions. You will see where your claim stands, what may be missing, and a useful next step.
I am thinking about a claim
Learn what evidence may matter before you file.
My claim is in progress
Identify the clinical question and what may still be missing.
I am already service connected
Explore current severity, secondary conditions, or work impact.
I disagree with a VA decision
Review the reasons for the decision and the evidence already considered.
03 / HOW IT WORKS
The right evaluation starts with the right clinical question.
We shape the evaluation around what your claim needs. We do not recommend services you do not need or promise unwarranted results.
Ready to move ahead? Book your evaluation. You can also email Dr. Bell, request a free 15-minute consultation, or use the Claims Readiness Check.
After you choose a date, Dr. Bell confirms what will be evaluated, which records are needed, what the evaluation includes, what you will receive, the fee, and the expected timing.
Dr. Bell reviews your records, meets with you, and writes every report and opinion he signs. Clear facts and reasoning guide his findings.
04 / SERVICES
One clinical question. The right evaluation.
The service depends on what your claim needs Dr. Bell to evaluate. You do not need to choose the right document before you book.
SVC / 01Full psychological evaluations
Record review, a clinical interview, testing when needed, and a full written report.
SVC / 02Nexus opinions
A clinical opinion about whether a mental health condition is linked to service or another service-connected condition.
SVC / 03Mental health DBQs
A clear record of current symptoms, severity, and effects on daily life, relationships, and work.
SVC / 04Occupational functioning
A clinical view of how mental health symptoms affect work. This is not a legal or vocational eligibility decision.
SVC / 05Records and prior opinions
A focused review of selected records and one clear clinical question.
SVC / 06Professional consultations
For attorneys, accredited claims agents, VSOs, and other referral partners.
05 / EDUCATION LIBRARY
Understand the clinical questions behind your claim.
Clear guides can help you understand the language, the evidence, and what an evaluation can—and cannot—answer.
Plain-language guides to nexus opinions, DBQs, C&P exams, records, and medical evidence.
Learn how psychologists look at diagnosis, symptoms, daily functioning, and clinical cause.
Find official support for treatment, crisis care, VA care and services, and organizing records.
06 / PRICING
The standard full evaluation is $750
That includes record review, your clinical interview, a full written report, and either a nexus letter/IMO or a mental health DBQ. $1,000 includes the evaluation report plus both the DBQ and nexus letter. The additional document is $250 when clinically appropriate and agreed in advance. Most evaluation reports are completed within three business days after the evaluation is complete and all necessary records and information have been received.
Full Psychological Evaluation
Includes record review, interview, testing as needed, and a full evaluation report. One nexus/IMO or mental health DBQ is also included.
Additional Nexus/IMO or DBQ
Add a second nexus/IMO or DBQ based on the same completed evaluation.
Records & Prior-Opinion Review
A focused review that answers one clear clinical question from an agreed record set.
Professional Consultation
For attorneys, accredited claims agents, VSOs, and referral partners.
07 / ABOUT DR. BELL
Clinical experience across the VA disability examination system
Every evaluation is personally conducted and authored by Dr. Bell.
Dr. Bell is a licensed psychologist with experience across the VA disability examination system—including more than six years as a VA C&P psychologist, eight years conducting examinations for a VA prime contractor, and independent private practice specializing in VA disability claims.
Across these settings, he has completed more than 10,000 mental health evaluations for veterans from every branch of the Armed Forces. The veterans he has evaluated represent service histories spanning World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the post-9/11 era. That breadth of experience informs his understanding of how military service, mental health, functioning, and the available evidence can differ substantially from one veteran to another.
Before entering VA disability examination work, Dr. Bell served for four years as a university psychology professor. Trained in the scientist-practitioner model, he approaches each evaluation as both a clinician and an evidence-weigher—integrating the veteran’s history, relevant records, clinical interview, psychological testing, and applicable peer-reviewed literature. The purpose is not to find literature that supports a predetermined conclusion, but to determine what the complete evidence reasonably supports.
Dr. Bell also grew up in a career military family and spent 18 years as an active-duty dependent. His childhood included moves among Air Force, Navy, and Army communities, as well as living overseas. Although that experience is distinct from serving in uniform, it gave him longstanding familiarity with military culture, frequent relocation, and the effects of military service on family life.
At VA Nexus Psych, Dr. Bell personally reviews your records, conducts the evaluation, interprets the findings, and writes every opinion he signs.
6+
Years as a VA C&P psychologist
8
Years of VA-contracted examinations
10,000+
Veteran mental health evaluations
4
Years as a university psychology professor