Filing a Disability Claim:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

VBA CLAIMS 101 | MARCH 2022

There are multiple steps in the disability claim process. Following these FAQs may help guide you in filing a VA

claim and provide answers to commonly asked questions regarding eligibility, the process, exams, and more.

1. What documents (or evidence) will I need to support

my claim?

When you file a VA disability claim, you will need to submit, or give us permission to gather evidence to

support that your claimed condition is associated with an in-service event or injury or that show your rated

knowledge about how and when your disability happened or how it got worse.

You should also submit your DD214 or other separation documents. As needed, VA will assist with obtaining

relevant records, which includes verification of your service.

2. How do I submit evidence for my claim?

Once you file a claim for disability compensation, you may upload more evidence to support your claim

online or mail into the Claims Intake Center. Evidence may include supporting documents like medical test

results, doctor’s reports and other records. You can upload evidence to support that claim using our claim

status tool. To learn more about uploading evidence, visit www.va.gov/disability/upload-supporting-

evidence/. You are encouraged to submit the evidence as soon as you can. If you do not provide any evidence

or the information VA needs to help obtain the evidence within 30 days, VA may make a decision on your

If you plan to file your claim using a paper form, but do not have all of your evidence ready to submit with

to gather evidence while holding a potential start date (also called an effective date). Your effective date

is the day VA determines your service-connected benefits begin. The assigned effective date impacts the

amount of retroactive compensation you may receive. When VA receives your intent to file, you may be able

to get a retroactive payment (compensation that starts at a point in the past) back to that date. You have one

year from the date you send in your intent to file to submit your claim. If a claim is not received within one

year, the intent to file expires.

If you file for disability compensation online, you do not need to notify VA of your intent to file. Your intent to

file automatically sets on the date you start filling out your claim online. Your online application needs to be

completed within one year to hold the intent to file date.

4. What type of disability claim should I le?

active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service.

• Increased claims – This applies if you are already service-connected for a disability and it has

• Secondary service-connected claims – This applies if you have a disability that is related to a

condition that is already service-connected.

5. How long does it take VA to make a decision?

Up-to-date information about the average days it takes to complete a disability-related claim may be found

on VA.gov. While waiting for a decision, you do not need to do anything, unless VA sends you a letter asking

for more information. If VA schedules an exam(s) for you, it’s important not to miss your scheduled exam. If

you do not show up to your appointment, it may also delay your claim, or your claim may be decided based

on the evidence you provided.

6. Can I check my claims or appeal status online?

Yes. You can check the status of a claim or appeal anytime online at www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/.

If you do not have access to the internet, you may contact VA at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.

to 9 p.m. EST.

A disability rating percentage is assigned based on the severity of your service-connected condition. The disability

eligibility for other VA benefits.

about-disability-ratings/.

8. Will I need to report to a VA claims exam?

and pension, or C&P exam. This exam helps evaluate your disability, as an assigned rating percentage is based on the

with every claim. In general, an exam is requested when additional medical evidence is needed to substantiate

the claim.

If an exam is needed, the staff at your local VA medical center, or a local doctor’s office that VA partners with, will

contact you. They will either send you a letter by mail with the date and time of your exam or call you to

negotiate a time that works for you. To aid in this step of the claims process, you should make sure both the VA

regional office and the VA medical center nearest you have your up-to-date address, phone number and email address

so you get your exam notice in time.

No. VA will only ask you to attend a claim exam if more information is needed to decide your claim. If there is enough

medical evidence in your file to support your claim, you may not need to report to an exam. Medical evidence may

include treatment records from a VA medical center, doctor or hospital reports, test results and other documents.

10. Do I need to turn in any additional forms?

If you are: You will need to turn in:

A Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on

Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940)

A Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim

for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192).

Claiming posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

General

PTSD based on a personal assault

A Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-

Traumatic Stress Disorder Secondary to Personal Assault (VA Form

21-0781a) or you can fill out VA Form 21-0781a when you file a

disability claim online.

Claiming Aid and Attendance because you are

in a nursing home

A Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with

Claim for Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-0779).

Claiming dependents

An Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents (VA

Form 21-686c)

and

medical records to VA

You can fill out VA Form 21-4142 when you file a disability

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claim/. Please call 800-827-1000, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, if you have any further questions.

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