How to File a VA Disability Claim

The five elements VA looks for in every disability claim

1. Veteran status — DD-214 showing qualifying service.
2. A current diagnosed disability — confirmed by a medical professional.
3. An in-service event, injury, or illness — documented in service treatment records or supported by lay evidence.
4. A medical nexus — evidence linking the current disability to that in-service event.
5. A current disability picture severe enough to be compensable under 38 CFR Part 4.

Step 1 — File an Intent to File

An Intent to File (ITF) is a one-page form that tells VA you plan to file a disability claim. It locks in the date of receipt as your potential effective date for up to one year, even if you have not yet gathered all your evidence.

You can submit an ITF online through VA.gov, by phone (800-827-1000), in writing, or in person at a Regional Office. Filing it before you submit the full application can be worth thousands of dollars in retroactive benefits.

Step 2 — Gather your evidence

• DD-214 (member-4 copy) and any STR pages relevant to the claimed condition.
• Current treatment records (VA, private, or both) showing diagnosis and severity.
• A medical nexus opinion if the condition is not on a presumptive list and the in-service link is not obvious.
• Buddy statements or lay statements describing in-service events or current symptoms.
• Documentation of secondary or aggravation theories where applicable.

Step 3 — File VA Form 21-526EZ

VA Form 21-526EZ is the primary application for disability compensation. It can be filed online via VA.gov, mailed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center in Janesville, WI, or submitted by an accredited representative on your behalf.

List every condition you wish to claim — including secondary conditions — and the approximate date each began. Vague descriptions like 'back problems' should be replaced with the actual diagnosis when known (e.g., 'lumbar degenerative disc disease').

Step 4 — Cooperate with VA's duty to assist

After filing, VA will request federal records on your behalf and may schedule one or more Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams. Attend every scheduled exam — missed exams are one of the most common reasons claims are denied.

Step 5 — Read the decision and decide on next steps

VA issues a written rating decision and a code sheet. If anything is granted, the decision will state the percentage and effective date. If anything is denied or under-rated, you have one year from the date of the decision letter to choose a decision-review lane: Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or appeal to the Board.

Where these claims break down

• ×Filing the EZ form before submitting an Intent to File and losing months of effective date.
• ×Listing only the diagnosis without identifying the in-service event or exposure.
• ×Missing C&P exams or rescheduling them without good cause.
• ×Failing to claim known secondary conditions at the same time as the primary.

Frequently Asked Questions