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File an Intent to File
Protect your effective date before you gather evidence
Before doing anything else, file an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966 or by calling VA at 1-800-827-1000). This establishes a placeholder effective date, the date from which any awarded benefits will be paid, while you take time to gather evidence and prepare.
Once on record, you have up to one year to submit the completed claim. If granted, your back pay runs from the Intent to File date, not the date you filed the full claim.
Why this matters: VA disability compensation is paid retroactively to your effective date. Filing an Intent to File first can mean months or years of additional back pay.
Gather evidence & prepare your claim
You have up to one year from your Intent to File
VA will obtain your service treatment records and other federal records on your behalf, you do not need to gather those yourself. What you should prepare:
- A personal statement explaining how your claimed condition was caused or aggravated by your military service. Be specific, describe the in-service event, injury, or exposure and how it connects to your current condition.
- Buddy statements from fellow service members or others who witnessed your in-service injury, or who can speak to how your condition affects daily life.
- Private medical records documenting your diagnosis and current severity, if you have them. VA will request your VA treatment records automatically.
Work with a VSO. An accredited Veterans Service Organization representative can help you identify what to claim, review your statement, and submit your claim , at no cost to you.
File VA Form 21-526EZ
Submit your completed claim within one year of your Intent to File
Submit VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation) via VA.gov, by mail to your Regional Office, or in person at a VA facility. List every condition you want service-connected, conditions not listed will require a separate new claim later.
Be thorough. Include every condition related to your service, including secondary conditions caused or worsened by a primary service-connected disability. Omitting a condition means starting over with a new claim.
VA sends a development letter (5103 notice)
Don’t panic, this is a standard part of the process
After receiving your claim, VA sends a development letter, the 5103 notice, informing you what evidence is needed to decide your claim and what VA will obtain on your behalf.
The letter states that you have 30 days to respond. This confuses many veterans. There is no automatic filing deadline, VA will not deny your claim simply because you didn’t respond within 30 days. What it means is: if you have additional evidence to submit, get it in within 30 days so it is considered before VA makes a decision. After 30 days, VA may proceed with the evidence on hand.
Bottom line: If you have additional evidence, medical records, a personal statement, buddy statements, submit it promptly. If you have nothing more to add, no response is required.
VA develops the claim
VA gathers records and may schedule a C&P exam
VA is required to assist in developing your claim. This includes requesting your service treatment records, VA medical records, and other federal records. If VA determines an exam is needed, they will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam.
Failure to attend your C&P exam usually results in a denial. The examiner’s opinion on the nature and severity of your condition carries significant weight in VA’s decision. You can request a copy of the exam report after it is completed.
At your C&P exam: Describe your symptoms honestly and thoroughly. Explain how your condition affects your daily life, work, and activities. The examiner is evaluating severity, not providing treatment.
Rating decision issued
VA assigns a disability percentage for each condition
VA issues a Rating Decision that grants or denies each claimed condition and assigns a disability percentage (0%, 10%, 20% … 100%) based on the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Multiple ratings are combined using VA’s combined ratings formula, not simple addition.
Review the decision carefully. Check the effective date, the rating assigned to each condition, the reasons for any denial, and whether all claimed conditions were addressed. You have one year from the decision date to file an appeal.
Don’t accept an incorrect decision. Around 30% of initial claims are denied. Denials and low ratings are frequently overturned on appeal, especially with the help of an accredited attorney or VSO.
Decision point
Are you satisfied with the rating decision?
Yes — fully favorable
Accept the decision and receive benefits
No — denied or low rating
You have one year to file an appeal
Benefits awarded & ongoing rights
Monthly compensation, healthcare, and future claims
Once granted, you receive monthly tax-free compensation retroactive to your effective date. Depending on your rating, you may also be eligible for VA healthcare, dependent benefits, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), and other programs.
A grant is not the end of the road. You can file for additional service-connected conditions at any time, request an increase if a condition worsens, or pursue secondary service connection for conditions caused or aggravated by an already-rated disability.
Keep monitoring your conditions. If a rated condition worsens, file for an increase. Benefits can be increased at any time with evidence of deterioration.