Larry Dandridge

How to file a VA disability claim

By Larry Dandridge

Last week’s article for The Island News was an introduction to how to file a claim for military service-connected disability compensation. That article covered:

  •  The importance of using a Veterans Service Officer (VSO to help veterans file claims and how to find a VSO;
  •  The contact information for VSOs in the footprint of The Island News;
  •  The average time it took the VA to process and provide a decision on a claim in July 2023 (about 3.5 months);
  •  Things veterans should do to prepare before starting their application;  and …
  •  Evidence veterans need to support their claim.

This article completes the how-to-file VA disability claim explanation series.

Submitting evidence

According to the VA webpage on How to File a VA Disability Claim, https://bit.ly/3m6K3M9, veterans do not have to submit any evidence to support their claim when they file their claim. However, the VA may need to schedule a claim exam so they can learn more about the veteran’s condition.

Veterans have up to a year from the date the VA receives the veteran’s claim to turn in any evidence. If a veteran starts their application online and needs time to gather more supporting documents, they can save their application and come back later to finish it.

The VA recognizes the date the veteran started their application as their date of claim as long as the veteran completes it within 365 days.

Four ways to file a disability claim

1st Way to file is online: At the How to File a VA Disability Claim web page, there is a link that takes veterans to the File for Disability Compensation with VA Form 21-526EZ online page. The online page is found at https://bit.ly/3BpjKET.

If a veteran needs help filing a disability claim, he or she can contact a VA Regional Office and for help. To find the nearest regional office, veterans can call 800-827-1000 or use the VA’s Find VA Locations webpage https://bit.ly/3BpjKET.

Veterans can also use a VA-accredited representative, like a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or a VA-accredited Attorney or Claims Agent to help them fill out their claim. Before filing a claim for an increase, veterans may want to check to see if they are already receiving the maximum disability rating for their condition.

2nd Way to file is by mail: Veterans can file their claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ). Get the form at https://bit.ly/3RrzmPi. Print the form, fill it out, and send it to: Department of Veteran Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.

Follow the instructions on the form and make it as easy as possible for the VA Claims Examiner to find and understand your claim and all of the evidence.

This author recommends you buy a three-ring notebook binder and tabs for each section of your claim, and put a cover letter, and a table of contents to everything in the binder including but not limited to:

  •  VA Form 21-526EZ, DD214, military medical records (only records that support your claim), military personnel records, and Line-of-Duty Investigations.
  •  VA medical records, civilian medical records, accident reports, incident reports, pictures, medical studies, other references, and lay (buddy) witness statements.
  •  Supporting letters from medical professionals (Doctors, Nurse practitioners, Physician’s Assistants, Therapists, and other Specialists).
  •  A list of Medications, and other evidence.

VA File Number

Veterans should write their VA File Number in the top right corner of every page of their claim packet and on each page of their evidence (yes you may have to write that claim number a hundred times or more). The VA file number can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the letters that the VA sends to veterans and their dependents regarding their claims.

If it is your first claim and correspondence with the VA, you will not have a VA File number, so make sure you write your full name in the upper right-hand corner of each page of your first claim.  Veterans should keep a complete copy of everything they send to the VA.

3rd Way to file is in person: Veterans can file their claims in person at a Veterans Benefits Administration regional office. Veterans can find the nearest regional office online at the VA’s Find VA Locations webpage https://bit.ly/3BpjKET. The S.C. VA Regional Benefit Office is located at 6437 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, S.C. 29209, Phone 800-827-1000.

4th Way to file is with the help of a trained professional: It is wise to work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation. The are three types of VA-accredited representatives, attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Officers (VSOs).

The VA trusts these professionals because they’re trained, background checked, attend continuing education, and are certified in the VA claims and appeals processes. Last week’s article covered in detail how to find a VSO or other accredited professionals. Read more at https://bit.ly/3enmCdG.

Should veterans submit an Intent to File form?

If a veteran plans to file for disability compensation using a paper form, they may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give the veteran the time they need to gather evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date). When veterans notify the VA of their intent to file, they may be able to get retroactive payments.

If a veteran files for disability compensation online, then they do not need to notify the VA of their intent to file. Read about Intent to File at https://bit.ly/3Rzq8Qk.

Use a VSO

Filing a claim for service-connected disability compensation is not as simple as it may first seem. Some claims are more complex than others and that is why veterans should use a VSO to help them understand their VA benefits (Federal and State benefits) and to help them file claims for VA service-connected disability.

More information about filing disability claims. Read more about this subject at www.va.gov and the following web pages:

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 the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.

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