Intent to File (ITF)
Required Forms
VA Form 21-0966
Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension
What the ITF does
Under 38 CFR § 3.155, VA assigns the of an award based on when an or completed is received. Filing an first lets a preserve that date — and the months of retroactive pay that flow from it — while taking time to gather records, schedule provider visits, and develop opinions.
How to file an ITF
- Online: start a disability on ; the system records an as soon as you save the draft.
- By phone: call the VA national hotline at 800-827-1000 and request an .
- By mail or in person: submit to the Janesville Intake Center or a VA .
Time limits and rules
- An is valid for one year. The completed application must be received within 365 days.
- You can only have one active for compensation at a time.
- An for compensation is separate from an ITF for pension or .
Where these claims break down
- ×Letting an ITF expire and losing months of retroactive pay.
- ×Assuming a phone call to a VSO is the same as filing an ITF — confirm in writing.
- ×Filing the EZ application without first checking whether an open ITF already exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Where to go from here
If you are preparing an initial claim, a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is often a strong first stop — VSOs are accredited to assist veterans free of charge and cannot legally charge for claim preparation. If your case has already been denied or you are weighing an appeal path, see whether your matter is a fit for our review process.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No guarantees of outcomes are made. Each claim is decided on its individual facts.
Related guides
VA Decision Letter Explained
How to read a VA rating decision: code sheet, Reasons & Bases, effective dates, and your next steps.
VA Form 21-0995: Supplemental Claim Guide
Line-by-line walkthrough of VA Form 21-0995 (Supplemental Claim) — when to use it, what qualifies as 'new and relevant' evidence, and the one-year effective-date protection.
VA Form 20-0995 — Supplemental Claim
Line-by-line guide to VA Form 20-0995: the new and relevant evidence standard, the one-year effective-date window, and how to identify the issue correctly.
Check Your VA Claim Status
Where to track your claim, what each status phase means, and how long each phase typically takes.