Learn About Submitting Your VA Claim

Understanding VA Claims: What You Should Know Before You Start

A VA claim is a formal request you submit to the Department of Veterans Affairs asking them to review and make a decision about your military service and health conditions. The VA uses information from your military records, medical evidence, and other documentation to determine what support programs might be available to you based on your service history.

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Many veterans are uncertain about how the claims process works or what types of claims exist. Understanding the basics can help you prepare better materials and know what to expect as your claim moves through the system. The VA receives hundreds of thousands of claims each year from veterans seeking various forms of support related to their service.

There are several types of claims you might consider submitting. Disability compensation claims are among the most common—these address health conditions you believe are connected to your military service. Other claim types include claims for survivors' benefits, pension benefits, or appeals of previous decisions. Each type follows a similar process but may require different supporting documents and information.

The VA operates regionally through Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) offices across the country. Each office handles claims from veterans in their geographic area. Understanding that your claim will be reviewed by actual people—called raters—who examine evidence and make decisions can help you understand why thorough documentation matters.

Before submitting anything, you should gather basic information about your military service, including your service dates, branch of service, and discharge status. You should also think about which health conditions or life circumstances you want the VA to consider. This preparation step takes time but helps ensure your claim contains the information the VA needs to make a fair decision.

Practical Takeaway: Spend time learning the differences between claim types and understanding what each one addresses. This knowledge helps you submit the right type of claim for your situation rather than submitting multiple claims later.

Types of VA Claims and What Each One Covers

The VA offers several distinct claim types, and choosing the right one for your situation is an important first step. The most common claim type is a disability compensation claim, which addresses service-connected health conditions. If you developed a medical condition, injury, or illness while on active duty, or if your military service made a pre-existing condition worse, a disability compensation claim allows the VA to review whether that condition connects to your service.

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When the VA approves a disability compensation claim, the amount you receive monthly depends on the severity rating assigned to your condition. The VA uses a rating schedule that ranges from 0% to 100%, with higher percentages reflecting conditions that have greater impact on daily functioning. You could have multiple conditions rated separately, and the VA combines these ratings to reach your overall disability rating.

Survivors' benefits represent another claim type available to family members of deceased veterans or service members. Spouses, children, and in some cases parents may be able to receive monthly payments based on the service member's service record. The specific amount and who qualifies depends on family situation and the veteran's service history. Survivors should know that they typically have a deadline for submitting these claims, though the VA may accept late claims in certain situations.

Pension claims differ from disability compensation claims. While disability compensation addresses service-connected conditions, pension claims are based on financial need combined with age or disability status. Veterans who are age 65 or older, or who have a non-service-connected disability that prevents substantial employment, may explore pension programs if their income and assets fall below certain limits set by the VA.

You might also submit an appeal if the VA previously denied your claim or gave you a rating you believe is incorrect. Appeals follow a distinct process with specific steps and timeframes. Understanding the difference between a new claim and an appeal matters because they involve different procedures and timelines.

Practical Takeaway: Identify which claim type matches your situation before gathering documents. Submitting the wrong claim type could delay your decision or require you to resubmit later.

Required Documents and Evidence for Your Claim

The VA needs specific documents and evidence to make informed decisions on your claims. Your military service records form the foundation of any claim. These records include your service dates, rank, military occupation, deployment locations, and discharge papers. The discharge document—often called a DD Form 214 or similar separation document—shows your branch of service, character of discharge, and reason for separation. You should obtain copies of these documents early in the process if you don't already have them.

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Medical evidence is crucial for disability compensation claims. The VA reviews medical records showing when you received treatment for claimed conditions, what symptoms you reported, and what doctors found during examinations. This evidence can come from military medical records (treatment during your service), VA medical records (treatment at VA facilities after service), or private medical records (treatment at civilian hospitals or clinics). Current medical records showing your present condition matter as much as historical records showing when the condition started.

You should gather statements describing how your conditions affect your daily life. These can be formal statements written by you or informal statements from family members, friends, or co-workers who observe your limitations. The VA calls these "buddy statements" or lay evidence. These statements should describe specific examples—for instance, how far you can walk before pain forces you to stop, or which work tasks you cannot perform because of your condition.

Additional documents may strengthen your claim depending on your situation. If you believe your service caused your condition, you might submit evidence of the incident or exposure—for example, records from your unit showing you were exposed to burn pits, or documents showing you worked around hazardous materials. If you received medals, commendations, or other recognition during service, these documents can support your claim narrative. Employment records showing job limitations due to your condition also provide relevant evidence.

The VA also accepts private medical opinions. If your private doctor has examined you and written a statement about how your service likely caused or worsened your condition, this statement can support your claim. Some veterans hire independent medical professionals to examine them specifically for the purpose of creating medical evidence for their claim, though this is not required and comes at personal expense.

Practical Takeaway: Create a document checklist before you begin gathering materials. Start with your discharge papers and military records, then move to medical records, then personal statements. This organized approach prevents you from missing important evidence.

How to Submit Your Claim to the VA

The VA offers several methods for submitting a claim, and you can choose the approach that works best for your situation. The most common submission method uses VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation claims. This form asks for your personal information, service history, and details about the conditions you're claiming. You can complete this form online through the VA's website, print it and mail it, or visit a VA office in person with staff assistance.

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Submitting online through VA.gov offers several advantages. The online system guides you through questions step-by-step and shows you progress through the form. You can save your work and return later if you need time to gather information. Once submitted, you receive a confirmation number that allows you to track your claim's status online. Many veterans find the online process faster and less confusing than mailing forms.

If you prefer paper submission, you can print the form, complete it with your information, attach supporting documents, and mail the package to the VA address listed on the form. Mail processing takes longer than online submission, sometimes by several weeks, but the outcome is the same. Make copies of everything you're mailing so you have your own records.

You can also visit a local VA Regional Office and have staff assist you with your claim. This in-person approach works well if you have questions about which documents you need or how to describe your service and conditions. VA staff cannot tell you whether your claim will be approved—that determination comes from the rating process—but they can explain what information goes where on the form and answer process questions.

Veterans service officers (VSOs) represent another resource for submission assistance. These are trained professionals employed by veteran organizations, state governments, or tribal governments. VSOs can review your claim before submission, suggest additional evidence you might gather, and ensure your paperwork is complete. Many veterans find working with a VSO helpful because VSOs understand the claims process thoroughly and can explain what to expect. VSO assistance is always free.

Regardless of submission method, keep careful records of what you sent and when. Write down your claim number once you receive it, as you'll use this number to check your claim status and communicate with the VA about your case. If mailing documents, consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Practical Takeaway: Choose your submission method based on your comfort with technology and available time. Online