Before you file: what to gather
A VA disability claim stands on three pillars: a current diagnosis, an in-service event or exposure, and a medical nexus connecting the two. The strongest claims make each pillar easy for the rater to verify on the record.
- DD Form 214. Your separation document is the threshold proof of service. If you do not have a copy, you can request one from the National Archives or through our records request guide.
- Service treatment records (STRs). These document in-service injuries, illnesses, or exposures. Request them early; VA will also retrieve them but having a personal copy helps you match evidence to specific conditions.
- Current medical evidence.Recent treatment notes, imaging, or specialty evaluations that show the condition today. VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, but existing records carry weight.
- Lay evidence. Statements from family, fellow service members, or coworkers describing symptoms over time. Our buddy statement coach walks through the elements VA raters look for.
Protect your effective date with an Intent to File
Before you file the formal claim, submitting an Intent to File (ITF) preserves your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence38 CFR § 3.155†. If VA later grants your claim, back pay accrues from the date of the ITF, not the date of the formal filing. You can submit an ITF online at VA.gov, by calling 1-800-827-1000, or on VA Form 21-0966.
The four ways to file
- Online at VA.gov. The fastest path for most veterans. The VA.gov claim wizard walks through eligibility, conditions, and evidence uploads. Online filings are usually routed to the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) track when eligible.
- Paper, by mail or in person. VA Form 21-526EZ is the standard initial-claim form. Mail it to the VA Evidence Intake Center or drop it off at a VA regional office. Keep a copy of everything you submit.
- Through a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or County VSO (CVSO). Accredited representatives file on your behalf at no cost. The VA.gov representative search lists every accredited VSO, CVSO, and attorney.
- Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) or IDES. If you are still in service, BDD lets you file 90 to 180 days before separation so that a rating is often in place when you discharge. IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) combines the DoD medical board and the VA rating process for service members being medically separated.
Walkthrough: filing online at VA.gov
The VA.gov claim wizard is the most-used path. After signing in with a Login.gov or ID.me account, the wizard asks for service history (which VA may pre-populate from federal records), the conditions being claimed, and the evidence the veteran has on hand. Each claimed condition typically requires a short narrative: the condition name, when it began, and whether it is being claimed as directly service-connected, secondary to another rated condition, or presumptive. Evidence uploads accept PDF, JPEG, and PNG; the wizard accepts treatment records, DBQs, lay statements, and buddy statements as separate uploads. The session can be saved and resumed for up to 60 days. Submission produces a confirmation number that becomes the trackable claim ID inside the VA.gov claim status tool.
Walkthrough: filing by phone (1-800-827-1000)
The VA benefits hotline is staffed during weekday business hours. When calling about a new claim, useful information to have at hand includes the veteran’s file number or Social Security number (the agent will ask for one or the other), date of birth, branch and dates of service, and a short list of the conditions being claimed. The agent will typically open an Intent to File (ITF) on the call to preserve the effective date and then mail or e-mail a packet for the formal filing. The phone path can be useful when the veteran does not have a Login.gov account or when a paper filing is expected to follow.
Walkthrough: filing on paper (VA Form 21-526EZ)
The standard initial-claim form is VA Form 21-526EZ, available at VA.gov/find-forms. Common errors that delay processing include: an unsigned signature block; missing or incorrect dates of service (Section II); claimed conditions listed with vague labels (write “lumbar strain” rather than “back pain”); and Section IV not selecting the FDC option when eligible. Attachments typically sent with the form: a copy of DD Form 214, relevant service treatment record excerpts, current medical records, completed DBQs if available, and any lay statements. The completed package is mailed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444, or faxed to 844-531-7818. Keep a complete copy and a delivery receipt or fax confirmation.
Walkthrough: filing through an accredited representative
A veteran may appoint an accredited representative (VSO, CVSO, or accredited attorney or claims agent) using VA Form 21-22 (for organizations) or VA Form 21-22a (for an individual attorney or agent). Once the appointment is on file, the rep can submit the claim through the Stakeholder Enterprise Portal or VBMS Direct on the veteran’s behalf, manage correspondence with VA, and attend or assist with appeals. CVSOs and VSO representatives may not charge for representation on an initial claim38 U.S.C. § 5904†.
What to expect after you file
A typical claim moves through eight stages on the VA.gov tracker: claim received, initial review, evidence gathering, evidence review, rating decision, preparation for notification, preparation for decision, and complete. The visible labels can shift back and forth as evidence arrives; that is normal and not a sign of a problem.
Checking claim status on VA.gov
The claim status tool at va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status shows stage, recent activity, and any open requests for evidence (called 5103 notices when VA is asking the veteran to submit something specific). Open requests typically have a 30-day or 60-day response window; missing the window can cause VA to decide on the record as it stands.
The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam
For most claims, VA schedules one or more C&P exams to gather current medical findings on each claimed condition. Exams may be at a VA medical center or a contracted vendor (LHI, VES, QTC, Optum). The exam appointment letter arrives by mail or via the contractor’s portal; missing the exam without rescheduling can cause the claim to be denied for failure to report. The examiner uses the relevant DBQ for the body system and documents range of motion, frequency or severity of symptoms, functional impact, and (where applicable) a nexus opinion. Our C&P exam prep guide breaks down what examiners look for by condition.
Decision timeline
Most non-FDC initial claims decide in three to six months, although the range varies by regional office workload and claim complexity. FDC track claims, where the veteran certifies that all available evidence has been submitted, often decide faster because VA does not need to wait on outside records. Multi-issue claims with C&P exams for several body systems can run longer.
The “deferred decision” possibility
A deferred decision means VA has decided some issues on the claim but has held others in abeyance pending further evidence or a follow-up exam. The decision letter explains which issues are deferred and what additional evidence VA is seeking. A deferred issue is still active; it does not require a new claim. The effective date for a deferred issue is generally the date of the original claim (or the protected ITF date).
FAQ
Do I need to file an Intent to File first?
No, but submitting an ITF first can preserve the effective date for up to one year while evidence is gathered38 CFR § 3.155†. An ITF is typically the lowest-friction first step when the veteran is not ready to file the formal claim yet.
What is the difference between a Fully Developed Claim and a standard claim?
In an FDC, the veteran certifies that all available evidence has been submitted with the claim and asks VA to decide on the existing record (after any required C&P exams). FDCs often decide faster because VA does not have to wait on outside records. A standard claim asks VA to gather additional evidence. Either path produces the same range of ratings; the difference is the development workload.
Can I add conditions after I file?
Yes. Additional conditions can typically be added before VA issues the rating decision by submitting a new statement (often through VA.gov) listing the new condition and its evidence. Once the rating decision is issued, a new condition may be filed as a separate claim (or as a secondary claim if it is linked to a service-connected condition).
Do I need a nexus letter to file?
Not always. For direct service connection, a nexus letter is one way to establish the connection between the in-service event and the current condition; a contemporaneous service treatment record or a presumption may serve the same purpose. For secondary claims under 38 CFR § 3.310, a clinical nexus opinion is typically essential because the connection has to be drawn between two conditions rather than between service and a condition.
What if I am still in service?
Service members within 180 days of separation may be eligible for Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), which allows the claim to be filed before separation so that a rating decision is often in place at or shortly after discharge. Service members on a Medical Evaluation Board or Physical Evaluation Board may be processed through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), which combines the DoD fitness-for-duty determination with the VA rating process.
Can I file a claim if I had an other-than-honorable discharge?
The character-of-discharge determination is a separate process that VA conducts on its own; some other-than-honorable discharges are determined to be under conditions other than dishonorable for VA purposes, which preserves benefit eligibility. A discharge upgrade application through the relevant Discharge Review Board may also be available. An accredited representative can describe the options based on the specific characterization and circumstances.
Do I need to pay anyone to file my claim?
No. Filing is free, and accredited VSO and CVSO representation on an initial claim is also free under federal law38 U.S.C. § 5904†. Companies that offer to file an initial claim for a percentage of back pay are not operating under VA accreditation rules, and that arrangement may violate federal law.
What happens after you file
After VA acknowledges the claim, it gathers evidence from federal sources and may schedule a C&P exam. Exams happen at VA medical centers or contracted facilities. Our C&P exam prep guide explains what examiners look for by condition.
VA then issues a rating decision listing each condition, the rating assigned, the effective date, and the monthly amount. If you disagree with any part of the decision, the Appeals Modernization Act gives you three lanes, described in our appeal path selector.
Disability compensation — initial claim
~152 days on average
Typically 108–205 days
PACT Act claims and fully-developed claims may be faster.
Baseline as of Apr 19, 2026. Check VA.gov for current processing times.
When to use a VSO or CVSO
Most veterans benefit from a VSO or CVSO review before filing. Representatives are accredited by the VA, bound by ethics rules under 38 U.S.C. § 5904†, and work at no cost to the veteran. VBN tools are educational research aids; they are not a substitute for a representative who can sign VA Form 21-22 on your behalf and manage correspondence.
Timeline and costs
Initial claim processing times vary by regional office and condition complexity, typically running several months from filing to decision. You will not be charged for filing, for representation by an accredited VSO or CVSO, or for a C&P exam. If a private company offers to file your claim for a percentage of back pay, that is not an accredited VSO arrangement and may violate federal law.