By Larry Dandridge
I continue to receive questions about filing for military service-connected disability compensation and related benefits. This article will reference previous The Island News articles on filing for service-connected disability compensation and cover the need to file additional forms for veterans’ disability claims.
Use a VSO, do your homework
Veterans should use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to help them with state and federal benefits claims. They should also read the following VA webpages to ensure they are filing correctly and including all evidence and forms the VA requires.
- “VA Disability Compensation” — https://www.va.gov/disability/.
- “How to file a VA Disability Claim” — https://bit.ly/3wYGMRJ and “Types of disability claims and when to file” — (Original Claim, New claim, Secondary service-connected claim, Special claim, Pre-Discharge claim, & Fully Developed claim) — https://bit.ly/3m6K3M9.
- “File for disability compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ” — https://bit.ly/3RrzmPi.
- “Evidence needed for your disability claim” (Supporting documents) — https://bit.ly/3w6YGAN.
- “Your intent to file a VA claim” — https://bit.ly/3Rzq8Qk.
- “About VA Form 21-0966” at https://bit.ly/40PxbMT, and Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC (VA Form 21-0966) — https://bit.ly/40PxbMT.
- “The PACT Act and your VA benefits” (PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances) — https://bit.ly/3ARbVrn.
- “Disabilities that appear within 1 year after discharge” — https://bit.ly/3KPYQoe.
- “Get Help from a VA-Accredited Representative or VSO” — https://bit.ly/3WwDXmN. An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative (a VSO) can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.
Previous The Island News articles
The following articles and the VA webpages referenced are good places to start preparing to file for a service-connected disability VA rating award.
- How to file a VA Disability Claim (Part 1 of 2), by W. Larry Dandridge, Aug. 16, 2023, https://bit.ly/4cWYzvh.
- How to File a VA Disability Claim (Part 2 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Aug. 23, 2023, https://bit.ly/4fAwoUt.
- Suggestions for Veterans filing a Service-Connected Disability Compensation Claim (Part 1 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Sept. 13, 2023, https://bit.ly/4ePHyox.
- Service-connected disability claims (Part 2 of 2), by L. Dandridge, Sept. 20, 2023, https://bit.ly/4eSh7OR.
- Pre-discharge claim for military service-connected disability, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 18, 2023, https://bit.ly/3UYxMIu.
- When and how should a veteran submit a VA Intent to File form?, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 5, 2022, https://bit.ly/40XCA4r.
- What veterans should know about VA (C&P) Claim Exams (Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4), by L. Dandridge, Nov. 15, 22, 29, 21, and 29 of 2023, and Jan. 4, 2024, https://bit.ly/3RbNMow.
- Tips on Preparing for Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams, by L. Dandridge, Dec. 6, 2023, https://bit.ly/4fz7xAz.
- Things You Need to Know about Veteran Service Officers, by L. Dandridge, Sept. 4, 2024, https://bit.ly/3OgLZwl.
- Lay Witness (Buddy) statements are important to submit with VA Claims for service-connected disability, by L. Dandridge, July 26, 2023, https://bit.ly/3Tean5w.
- Pre-discharge Claim for Military Service-connected Disability, by L. Dandridge, Oct. 18, 2023, https://bit.ly/3UYxMIu.
- Things You Need to Know about Veteran Service Officers, by L. Dandridge,
Sept. 4, 2024, https://bit.ly/3OgLZwl.
Additional forms
According to the VA’s webpage, “Find Additional Forms for Your Disability Claim” (https://bit.ly/3XgpDxU) veterans may need to turn in any additional forms when they file their disability claims. Today’s article covers explicitly:
- Forms for increased compensation if you cannot work (Individual Unemployability).
- Forms for disability compensation related to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health condition.
- Forms for an automobile allowance.
- Forms for an adaptive equipment grant for your automobile.
- Forms for a clothing allowance.
- More helpful information.
For increased compensation if you cannot work (Individual Unemployability)
Use VA Form 21-8940 to apply for Individual Unemployability (IU) disability VAbenefits for a service-connected condition that prevents you from keeping a steady job. Learn more about IU at:
- “Individual Unemployability if you can’t work” at https://bit.ly/3DtUjEm; and
- The Island News article titled “What is Veterans Administration (VA) Individual Unemployability (IU) and how do I file for it?” Published on July 7, 2021, at
When you file a claim for IU disability compensation, veterans will also need to submit both forms:
- A Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940). Veterans should use VA Form 21-8940 to apply for Individual Unemployability (IU) disability benefits for a service-connected condition that prevents them from keeping a steady job. Download VA Form 21-8940 at https://bit.ly/4fCbO6m; and
- A Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192). Use VA Form 21-4192 if you are a Veteran and you need your most recent employer to send us information so you can apply for Individual Unemployability disability benefits. Your most recent employer must complete and submit this form. Download VA Form 21-4192 at https://bit.ly/4fOxGvr.
If you are filing a claim for disability compensation online, you do not need to submit this PDF form. When you fill out your online claim, the VA will ask you questions about your claim for increased compensation based on IU.
For compensation related to PTSD or another mental health condition
When a veteran files a claim for disability compensation, they also need to submit A Statement in Support of Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) Due to an In-Service Traumatic Event(s) Form (VA Form 21-0781). Veterans should use VA Form 21-0781 if they have been diagnosed with a mental health condition related to a traumatic event during their military service and they want to apply for related benefits or services. Download VA Form 21-0781 at https://bit.ly/3UZBlOB. Learn more about VA disability compensation for PTSD at https://bit.ly/40TTb9j.
For an automobile allowance
If you have a disability related to your service that prevents you from driving, you may be able to get money (an adaptive-equipment grant) to help you buy or change a vehicle so you can drive. Veterans should use An Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment Form (VA Form 21-4502) to file for an automobile adaptive-equipment grant. Download VA Form 21-4502 at https://bit.ly/3ZeKjKm. Learn more about claims for automobile allowance and adaptive equipment benefits at https://bit.ly/3TXtXjP.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is also the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
