To be eligible for VA disability benefits, you must meet three basic requirements:

• Current disability: You have a current illness or injury that affects your mind or body
• Service connection: Your disability was caused by or worsened during military service
• Discharge status: You were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for compensation. The amount depends on your disability rating.

Start by following these steps:

1. Gather your military service records (DD-214)
2. Collect medical evidence of your condition
3. Create a VA.gov account or log into eBenefits
4. Complete VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation)
5. Submit your application online, by mail, or in person

Our platform can guide you through each step with personalized assistance.

No, filing a VA disability claim is completely free. The VA does not charge any fees for:

• Filing initial claims
• Appealing decisions
• Medical examinations
• Obtaining military records

While you can hire a lawyer or claims agent (after an initial decision), it's not required. Many veterans successfully file claims on their own or with free assistance from organizations like ours.

Strong evidence is crucial for a successful claim. You'll need:

Medical Evidence:

• Service treatment records
• Current medical records
• VA examination results
• Private medical opinions

Service Records:

• DD-214 discharge papers
• Personnel records
• Unit records and incident reports

Supporting Statements:

• Personal statements
• Buddy statements from fellow service members
• Statements from family members

Yes, you can file for multiple conditions on a single application. In fact, it's often recommended to file for all service-connected conditions at once because:

• It's more efficient than filing separate claims
• Related conditions can support each other
• You establish earlier effective dates
• The VA can see the complete picture of your disabilities

Make sure to provide evidence for each condition you're claiming.

There's no time limit for filing a VA disability claim after discharge. You can file:

• While still on active duty (pre-discharge claim)
• Immediately after discharge
• Years or even decades after discharge

Important: While you can file anytime, your effective date (when payments start) is typically the date you file your claim or when your condition became disabling, whichever is later. Filing sooner rather than later can mean more backpay.

The VA aims to complete claims within 125 days, but actual processing times vary:

• Simple claims: 3-6 months
• Complex claims: 6-12 months or longer
• Claims requiring exams: Additional 1-3 months

Factors that affect processing time:

• Complexity of your condition
• Quality and completeness of evidence
• Need for medical examinations
• VA workload and staffing

You can check your claim status online through VA.gov or our tracking system.

You can check your claim status through several methods:

Online:

• VA.gov - Track Claims tool
• Our Veterans Claims Easy dashboard
• eBenefits portal (being phased out)

Phone:

• VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
• Available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET

In Person:

• Visit your local VA Regional Office
• Schedule an appointment with a Veterans Service Officer

Not all claims require a VA examination, but you'll likely need one if:

• The VA needs more medical evidence
• Your existing medical records are insufficient
• You're filing for an increase in rating
• Your condition has changed significantly

Types of VA Exams:

• C&P Exam: Compensation & Pension examination
• DBQ: Disability Benefits Questionnaire
• IME: Independent Medical Examination

If scheduled for an exam, attend it! Missing exams can delay or deny your claim.

If your claim is denied, you have several options within one year of the decision:

Three Appeal Lanes:

1. Supplemental Claim: Submit new evidence
2. Higher-Level Review: Have a senior reviewer look at your case
3. Board Appeal: Appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals

Which lane to choose depends on:

• Whether you have new evidence
• If you think the VA made an error
• How quickly you need a decision

You can also file a new claim if you have new evidence or if your condition has worsened.

You have one year from the date of your VA decision letter to file an appeal. This deadline applies to all three appeal options:

• Supplemental Claim
• Higher-Level Review
• Board Appeal

Important: Missing this deadline means you lose your effective date, which could cost you thousands in backpay. If you miss the deadline, you can still file a new claim, but your effective date will be the date of the new filing.

The VA uses a complex system to calculate your combined disability rating:

Individual Ratings:

Each condition is rated from 0% to 100% in 10% increments based on severity.

Combined Rating:

Multiple conditions are combined using VA math, which is NOT simple addition:

• The VA considers you as a "whole person" (100%)
• Each disability affects the remaining "efficiency"
• Combined ratings are rounded to the nearest 10%

Example:

50% + 30% conditions = 65% combined (not 80%)

Disability payments begin based on your "effective date," which is typically:

• The date you filed your claim, or
• The date your condition became disabling

Whichever date is later becomes your effective date.

Payment Schedule:

• Monthly payments: Paid on the 1st of each month
• Retroactive pay: Back to your effective date
• First payment: Usually within 1-2 months of approval

Payments are made by direct deposit or check, depending on your preference.

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For persistent issues, email your documents to documents@vetsclaims.org with your claim number.