Why Use This Site?
Have you moved past your imposter syndrome and considered filing a disability claim but don't know what to do? Have you ever blindly turned to a VSO who filed your claim for you and your subsequent decision letter service-connection denial made you feel like a fool?
Do you know a newly widowed spouse of a Disabled Veteran who passed away? And you want to be the hero who can confidently guide them towards the Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC) they knew nothing about? You could change that survivor's life through knowing and informing them of what DIC is.
Have you thought about giving up on your claim because it's not worth the effort and it's just too confusing? Or maybe you just want to 'know' how the system works in detail behind the scenes. Maybe you feel passionate about guiding a new Veteran or battle buddy by paying it forward. Maybe you just need a new mentally stimulating hobby?
Then you've come to the right place.
What's Your Situation?
Select the scenario that best describes where you are. We'll point you to the most relevant guides.
How the Site is Organized
There is much more to benefit from as a Veteran than just the disability compensation arena. The site is both wide and deep in ALL areas of available Veteran's Benefits. It is extremely efficient in its structure and abundant intuitive and logical link navigation.
You can quickly drill down to the one item you need to get to and understand RIGHT NOW. You can also sit back with some time on your hands, and start to absorb the whole VA benefits system without leaving this site.
For starters, we highly encourage you to make a concerted effort to read through at least the categories and title links on the Index Page so you know what is available. All things VA benefits are available that you could ever need to find. Right here in the site. Literally.
Quick Navigation
Filing a Claim?
Step-by-step guide to filing your VA disability claim.
Need Healthcare?
VA health care eligibility and enrollment options.
Check Your Rating?
Master Condition List — how disabilities are rated.
Got Denied?
Appeal options: HLR, Board Appeal, or Supplemental.
Already Rated?
Federal benefits you qualify for at your current rating.
VA Math?
Why 50% + 50% doesn't equal 100%.
Beyond Disability Compensation
Are you interested in improving your physical fitness without singing cadences? Check out the VA MOVE! Program. You can answer a questionnaire and customize a plan that is very specific to your physical and even mental well-being.
Have you ever checked out all the tentacles of the VA Health Care system to know what benefits are available? You should. And it's easy to get to in the site.
Did you know you can live abroad and still access healthcare through the Foreign Medical Program? The Education section will increase your benefit awareness far beyond the GI Bill.
Read through the titles of the index today! Click on a few that interest you and you will quickly develop a feel for navigating the site.
Your 5-Step Claims Roadmap
Pro Tip: Use the Checklist
We've built an interactive checklist into this site. Click the Checklist button in the mobile menu (or sidebar) to track your progress as you complete these steps. It saves automatically!
Eligibility & Records
Before anything else, you need your DD214 and Service Medical Records (STRs). Without these, you cannot prove service connection.
How to Request RecordsIntent to File (ITF)
Stop the clock! Filing an ITF locks in your effective date for backpay. You then have 1 year to gather evidence and file the full claim.
File an ITF NowCurrent Diagnosis
You cannot claim "pain". You need a medical diagnosis (e.g., "Lumbar Strain"). Go to your doctor or the VA and get it on paper.
VA Healthcare GuideThe Nexus
The hardest part. You must link your current diagnosis to your service. This requires a "Nexus Letter" or evidence of event in service.
What is a Nexus Letter?Submit Claim
Once you have the 3 pillars (Diagnosis, In-Service Event, Nexus), submit Form 21-526EZ online. Then, wait for your C&P Exam.
Prepare for C&P ExamCommon Pitfalls to Avoid
Filing without a Diagnosis
The VA cannot compensate you for a condition that hasn't been diagnosed by a medical professional. "My back hurts" is a symptom, not a disability.
Missing the C&P Exam
If you miss your Compensation & Pension exam, your claim will almost certainly be denied. If you can't make it, reschedule immediately.
Ignoring Secondary Conditions
Did your service-connected knee injury cause back pain? That's a secondary claim. Don't leave benefits on the table.
VA.gov Filing Walkthrough
Once you have your evidence gathered and you're ready to file, here is the step-by-step process for submitting your claim on VA.gov. This applies to both new claims and increase claims.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have a verified Login.gov or ID.me account. Have your medical evidence, buddy statements, and any supporting documents ready to upload as PDFs.
Getting Started
- Navigate to VA.gov and log in to your account.
- In the Disability section, choose either "File a claim for compensation" or "File for a VA disability increase."
- Answer "Are you on active duty now?" with the appropriate response.
- Select whether you're filing for a new condition or one that has worsened.
- Click the green "File a disability claim online" button.
- Select "Start the Disability Compensation Application."
Verify Your Information
- Review your existing Intent to File (ITF). Record that date — if it expires before you submit, you lose your effective date for backpay.
- Verify your personal information (name, SSN, DOB).
- Confirm your contact details (address, phone, email).
- Review your military service records.
- Proceed through each verification screen.
Identify Your Conditions
- Indicate whether you are claiming a new condition or requesting an increase for existing rated conditions.
- For new claims, explain the service connection. For increases, select conditions from the provided checklist.
- Choose whether additional disability benefits information is needed (e.g., Aid & Attendance).
- Review your conditions list and proceed.
Upload Your Evidence
- You'll be asked for new, relevant evidence not previously submitted to the VA.
- Select evidence types: VA medical records, Private medical records, and/or Supporting (lay) statements or other evidence.
- If using VA records, specify the facilities and first visit dates.
- For private records, upload them yourself rather than requesting the VA retrieve them from providers — this avoids significant delays.
- Upload buddy statements, nexus letters, and any additional evidence.
- Verify your evidence summary is complete.
Final Steps
- Acknowledge that the VA will contact you for C&P exam scheduling.
- Update your banking information for direct deposit of any back pay.
- Indicate homelessness status if applicable (this may qualify you for priority processing).
- Disclose terminal illness status if relevant (also qualifies for priority processing).
- Confirm VA employment status if applicable.
- Elect "Fully Developed Claim" status if all evidence is uploaded, or indicate that additional information will follow.
- Review the complete application, accept the privacy policy, and click "Submit application."
- You're done with the initial filing! The next phase is attending your Compensation & Pension Examination.
Walkthrough originally authored by: u/mimi-the-gr8; adapted by u/l8tn8
Deep Dive Resources
The VA M21-1 Compensation and Pension Manual is a real treat for the nerds who want and need to know the details of every step of the claims process. It can also help a claimant fine tune their claim and evidence before filing.
Hand in hand with the M21-1 Manual is the 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These two gems pull back the curtain on exactly what the VA Raters are required to work with to arrive at a decision on your disability claims. If you want to present your disability claims clearly and help the rater get down to business, you should dig a little into these two items.
The Claims Process
In the site, the entire Claims process is explained in well formatted detail. All bases are covered from applicable documents, how and when to use them, what are the requirements for a successful claim, and what to do if your claim decision is not what you deserve.
Likewise, anyone serious about winning their claims owes it to themselves to read through all of the Claims section. The knowledge you will gain here will not only give you a laser focus for your claim, it will also give you the power to politely disengage from a sub-standard Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
The Reddit Community
Of course you are never really alone if you are involved in the Subreddit as a tool to develop your claims.
One of the biggest benefits of the site is that it is intimately tied into the subreddit r/VeteransBenefits. It is synergistic to intertwine reading and engaging in posts and comment threads, while referencing the site. Going back and forth as you explore new information you discovered in the comment thread, and as you yourself answer questions with links to what the asker needs to know.
Nobody likes to waste time. Having all of the information pulled into the tightly organized and easily navigable site frees a Veteran from constant Google searches, opening multiple tabs of VA.gov, or stumbling through random internet pages of rumor and conjecture regarding VA disability claims.
Make it your mission to take advantage of and benefit from the awesome site.
Introduction written by: u/grunt2-9