How to file a VA disability claim — the full process, step by step.

Six steps to filing a VA disability claim

1. 1

   Step 1 of 6

   File an Intent to File (ITF)

   Locks your effective date while you gather evidence.

   VA Form 21-0966 — Intent to File a Claim

   An Intent to File is one of the most valuable — and most overlooked — tools in the VA claims process. Filing an ITF establishes your effective date, which is the date the VA begins calculating back pay if your claim is approved. You can submit it online at VA.gov, by calling the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or by mailing VA Form 21-0966.

   • Your effective date is locked the day you file the ITF — not the day you submit the full claim.
   • You have one year from the ITF date to submit your completed disability compensation claim.
   • The ITF can be filed even if you don't have your records yet — its only purpose is to protect your start date.
   • You can only have one active ITF per benefit type at a time.
   • Filing online through VA.gov is the fastest method; phone and mail are also accepted.
2. 2

   Step 2 of 6

   Gather your evidence

   Service treatment records, private medical records, and buddy statements.

   Strong evidence is the foundation of a successful claim. The VA looks for three things: a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus connecting the two. The more clearly your records speak to each of these, the stronger your file.

   • Service Treatment Records (STRs): Request these from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) if the VA doesn't already have them. Allow 3–6 months.
   • Private medical records: Gather records from any doctors, therapists, or specialists you've seen for the condition — even years after discharge.
   • Buddy statements (VA Form 21-10210): Written statements from fellow service members, family, or friends who can describe how your condition affects your daily life.
   • Lay statements: Your own written statement (a personal statement) describing the in-service event, onset, and current symptoms.
   • VA or DoD examination records: If you had an exam at separation (IDES/LDES), that record is relevant.
   • Nexus letter: A medical opinion from a qualified provider linking your diagnosis to your military service — covered in step 3.
3. 3

   Step 3 of 6

   Get a nexus letter from a vetted specialist

   The medical opinion that connects your diagnosis to your service.

   A nexus letter is a written medical opinion from a qualified clinician that states your condition is "at least as likely as not" related to your military service. That specific phrase — drawn from VA adjudication standards — carries legal weight. A strong nexus letter includes your diagnosis, a review of your service and medical history, and a clearly stated rationale. Weak or vague letters ("the veteran states…") are routinely discounted. Use VetVerity to find a provider who has written successful nexus letters for your specific condition.

   • The standard is "at least as likely as not" (50% or better probability) — not "definitely caused by service."
   • The letter must come from a licensed, qualified clinician (MD, DO, NP, PA, PhD psychologist, etc.).
   • The clinician must review your actual records — not just your self-report — to produce a credible opinion.
   • Telehealth nexus-letter appointments are widely available; many veterans complete them without leaving home.
   • A nexus letter written specifically for your condition and your record is far stronger than a generic template.

   Find a nexus letter specialist in the directoryRead the condition-specific nexus letter guidesSleep apnea nexus letter guide — PACT Act & secondary claimsIschemic heart diseaseType 2 diabetes mellitusPTSD
4. 4

   Step 4 of 6

   Submit the disability compensation claim

   Three paths: VA.gov online portal, mail, or in-person at a regional office.

   VA Form 21-526EZ — Application for Disability Compensation

   VA Form 21-526EZ is the core disability compensation application. You submit it together with all your supporting evidence — service records, medical records, nexus letters, buddy statements. Filing online through VA.gov is the fastest route and lets you upload documents immediately. Mail and in-person options are also fully accepted.

   • Online via VA.gov: Fastest path. You can upload supporting documents directly during submission and receive an immediate confirmation number.
   • By mail: Send to the VA claims intake center in Janesville, WI (address on the form instructions). Use certified mail and keep a copy of everything.
   • In person at a VA Regional Office: A VSO at the RO can help you submit and will keep a copy of your file.
   • Include every piece of evidence with the initial submission — the VA may not request additional evidence, and an incomplete file leads to denial.
   • After submitting, you will receive a confirmation letter with your claim number within a few weeks. Track status at VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000.
5. 5

   Step 5 of 6

   After submission — what happens next

   The C&P exam, the rating decision, and the typical timeline.

   After submission, the VA assigns your claim to a claims processor and may schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam — a medical evaluation conducted by a VA-contracted clinician. This is not a treatment appointment. The examiner's report goes into your file and directly influences your rating. The VA typically takes 3–6 months to issue a rating decision, though complex claims or backlogs can push that longer.

   • C&P exam: Attend every scheduled exam — missing one is treated as a denial of evidence. Reschedule if necessary, but never skip.
   • What to say: Describe your WORST days and how the condition limits your life. The exam is not the time to minimize symptoms.
   • What NOT to say: Do not say you are "doing fine" or "managing well" — those phrases can be used to justify a lower rating.
   • After the exam: The examiner submits a report (the DBQ) within weeks. You can request a copy through VA.gov.
   • Rating decision: The VA will mail a rating decision letter. It will list the percentage rating, the effective date, and the monthly compensation amount.
   • Timeline: Most claims take 3–6 months from submission to rating decision. Check VA.gov for current average processing times.
6. 6

   Step 6 of 6

   If denied — supplemental claims and appeals

   Three appeal lanes: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, and Board Appeal.

   VA Form 20-0995 — Supplemental Claim

   A denial or a lower-than-expected rating is not the end of the road. Veterans have one year from the rating decision date to file a review request without losing the effective date. There are three lanes — choose based on whether you have new evidence, or just believe the VA made a legal or factual error.

   • Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995): Use this lane if you have new and relevant evidence (a nexus letter you didn't have before, additional medical records). New evidence resets the review.
   • Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996): Use this lane if you believe the VA made a legal error or a factual error — no new evidence is submitted, but a more senior reviewer examines your file.
   • Board of Veterans' Appeals (VA Form 10182): File a Notice of Disagreement with the BVA. Three docket options: Direct Review (no new evidence), Evidence Submission (new evidence added), or Hearing Request (appear before a Veterans Law Judge).
   • Do not miss the one-year deadline — filing after one year typically breaks the continuous-pursuit chain and resets your effective date.
   • Accredited VSOs and VA-accredited attorneys can represent you at no upfront cost through the appeals process.
   • Not sure which kind of representative fits a denied or contested claim? The VSO vs. VA-accredited attorney comparison walks through accreditation, fees, and the escalation path.

   VA Form 10182 — Notice of Disagreement (BVA)