How to File a VA Disability Claim, Step by Step

To file a VA disability claim, submit VA Form 21-526EZ online at va.gov, by mail, in person, or through a free Veterans Service Officer. Before anything else, file an intent to file (VA Form 21-0966) — it locks in your effective date and gives you a full year to gather evidence, with back pay to that date if approved.

A successful claim proves three things: a current diagnosed condition, an in-service event or illness, and a medical link (“nexus”) between them. This guide walks through the whole process.

Know which type of claim you’re filing

• Original claim — your first-ever application for any condition.
• New claim — a condition you haven’t claimed before, even if you already receive benefits for others.
• Secondary condition — caused or worsened by an already service-connected condition (a service-connected knee that leads to back problems, for example).
• Increase — the same condition has gotten worse; check the “increase” box on Form 21-526EZ.
• Supplemental claim — new evidence after a prior decision.

Check your eligibility

You must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, with a discharge that wasn’t dishonorable. Some conditions are presumptive — automatically considered service-connected for veterans with certain exposures (Agent Orange and Gulf War illness among them) — and former POWs receive presumptive connection for specific conditions.

Step 1: Lock in your date, then gather evidence

Submit the intent to file first. Then collect three kinds of evidence:

• Medical evidence — a current diagnosis, treatment records, imaging and lab results, and medication lists. Records from the past 12 months carry the most weight.
• Service records — your DD-214, service treatment records, and personnel records. Request missing records through the National Personnel Records Center (allow four to six weeks), or milConnect for recent veterans.
• Supporting statements — your own personal statement (when symptoms started, how the condition happened, how it limits your life and work) and buddy statements from people who witnessed the injury or your symptoms, with dates and specifics.

The strongest claims also include a nexus letter: a doctor’s written opinion that your condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to service, with the medical reasoning explained. Borderline claims are often decided on the nexus opinion.

Step 2: Choose how to file

Online at va.gov (recommended)

1. Sign in at va.gov with ID.me, Login.gov, or DS Logon.
2. Go to Disability, then “File a disability claim,” and choose your claim type.
3. List each condition specifically — “lumbar strain with radiating pain, limited motion, daily medication” beats “back pain.”
4. Upload evidence (PDF, JPEG, or PNG), clearly labeled, and authorize the VA to request your private medical records.
5. Review, submit, and save your confirmation number.

By mail or in person

Complete VA Form 21-526EZ (download it at va.gov or request it at 800-827-1000) and send copies — never originals — by certified mail to your regional office, or bring everything to any VA regional office and file in person. Paper claims take several extra weeks to enter the system.

With a VSO (free, and worth it)

Veterans Service Officers from the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and county veterans offices prepare and file claims at no charge. They know the rating criteria, catch overlooked conditions, help write statements, and can represent you through any appeal. Find your local representative here.

Step 3: Attend your C&P exam

The VA will schedule a compensation and pension exam for most claims. Attend it — missed exams are a leading cause of denials. Bring your medication list, describe your worst days honestly rather than your best, and explain exactly how each condition limits your work and daily life. Afterward, note the date and examiner; if the exam felt rushed or inadequate, tell your VSO.

Step 4: Track your claim and respond fast

Watch your claim at va.gov and answer every VA request within 30 days. Our claim status guide explains all six ways to check and what each stage means. Filing a fully developed claim — all evidence up front — is the single best way to speed up the decision.

Step 5: Read your decision letter

The letter lists each condition’s rating, your combined rating, your effective date, and your monthly amount. See our rating guide to understand how the percentages work. If you disagree, you have one year to act without losing your effective date.

Ten mistakes that sink claims

1. Skipping the intent to file and losing months of back pay.
2. Filing with no current medical evidence.
3. Vague condition descriptions.
4. No explanation of the service connection.
5. Missing the C&P exam.
6. Downplaying symptoms out of pride.
7. Claiming only the worst condition and ignoring the rest — secondary conditions raise your combined rating.
8. Leaving out mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety. They are real, ratable conditions. (If you’re struggling now, our crisis resources page lists free, confidential help available 24/7.)
9. Submitting duplicate evidence, which only slows review.
10. Giving up after a denial instead of appealing.

One more tip: if you can’t maintain substantially gainful employment because of service-connected conditions, ask about TDIU (VA Form 21-8940) — it pays at the 100% rate even when your combined rating is lower.

Common questions