Before you file: two non-negotiables
First, submit an Intent to File if you haven't — it protects your back-pay date while you do everything below. Second, confirm you can support all three pillars (diagnosis, in-service event, nexus) for each condition you're claiming. Filing thin and hoping the VA fills gaps is how the ~42% first-time denial rate happens.
The four ways to file
| Method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online — VA.gov | Most veterans | Fastest intake, auto-saves, uploads evidence directly |
| Free VSO | First-timers, complex claims | DAV, VFW, Legion, state departments — free by law |
| No internet access | VA Form 21-526EZ to the Claims Intake Center; use tracking | |
| In person | Hands-on help | Any VA regional office |
Filing online, step by step
- Sign in at VA.gov with Login.gov or ID.me. Starting the application automatically records an Intent to File if you don't have one.
- List each condition — be specific: "right knee pain from 2015 airborne injury," not "knee problems." Vague listings get vague ratings.
- Upload evidence — treatment records, nexus letters, DBQs, your 21-4138 statement, and buddy statements (21-10210).
- Choose Fully Developed Claim if it fits — certifying you've submitted everything can shave months, but only do it when your evidence is genuinely complete.
- Review and submit. Save your confirmation number.
Claiming symptoms instead of conditions. "Can't sleep" isn't ratable; "insomnia secondary to service-connected tinnitus" is. If you're unsure how to phrase a condition, ask a VSO or VetClaimAgent before submitting.
What happens after you file
Your claim moves through intake → evidence gathering → C&P exams → review → rating decision. Current initial claims average 4–6 months. During evidence gathering, the VA may send development letters — respond the week they arrive. Missing a 30-day suspense date is a self-inflicted delay.
The C&P exam
Most claims trigger a Compensation & Pension exam with a VA or contract examiner (QTC, LHI/Optum). Attend no matter what — rescheduling is fine, ghosting is fatal. Describe your worst days plainly, explain functional impact (work, sleep, family), and stay consistent with your records. The examiner documents severity; the rater decides the claim.
Reading your decision
The decision letter lists each condition, its rating, the effective date, and the reasoning. Approved at 30%+? Add dependents immediately. Something denied or rated low? You have one year and three review lanes — and denials are frequently reversed with the right lane and evidence.