By Larry Dandridge
Editor’s note: This article is the third in a series of five.
This is the third article of five on the steps veterans need to take to prepare for and file a claim for service-connected disability compensation. The first article was published on Oct. 9, 2025, and can be read online at https://bit.ly/4hluGb9. The first article covered:
· The basic sources of information available to veterans, including the Welcome to VA.gov website, VA Welcome Kit, 2025 Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, VA YouTube Network, VHA website, VBA website, VA Podcast Network, SITREP, VA Facebook, VA NEWS Blog, and others; and …
· Things to do while the veteran is still serving in the military to prepare for filing for service-connected disability compensation, including (1.) keeping copies of evidence of service-connection; (2.) getting a copy of all military personnel and medical records; (3.) using a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO); (4.) asking your battle buddies, witnesses, and family for Lay Witness Statements; (5.) making an inventory of your service-connected conditions and symptoms — and how these conditions effect your social and work life; (6.) making an inventory of your medications; and (7.) Making an inventory of your medical equipment and devices.
The second article was published on Oct. 16, 2025, and can be read online at https://bit.ly/3JiYmZX. The second article covered things the veteran should do after being discharged from the military. The second article covered:
· Using a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or, if justified, a VA-accredited Claims Agent or Attorney;
· Ordering your DD214 or other separation documents, military personnel, medical, dental, and other records from the National Archives and/or the military; and …
· Enrolling in VA Healthcare, understanding your VA Patient Aligned Care (PACT) Team, and getting treated for your service-connected health conditions.
This week’s article will specifically provide a warning and call to assist veterans and their families. It will also cover becoming your (veteran’s) own best advocate by doing your homework, by reading everything the VA and other reputable resources publish about filing a claim for service-connection.
Warning/Call to assist
Some veterans are too ill, too impaired, not computer literate, do not have a computer, do not have access to the internet, do not have a phone, do not use email or text, may be homeless, thus making it more critical for the VA, family members, friends, veterans service organizations, state departments of veterans affairs, and VSOs to help veterans.
Do your homework
Veterans and their immediate family members should read the “How to file for service-connected disability compensation” and related Information published by the VA and written by The Island News team. Veterans are their own best advocates, and the more they know, the more effectively they can assist their VSO in filing a claim. Here are some recommended readings:
· “How to file a VA Disability claim”, at https://bit.ly/4nZH2Iv.
· The Aug. 30, 2023, The Island News article by Larry Dandridge, “Apply for Your VA Benefits and Use a VSO to Help You” at https://bit.ly/47g1AoZ.
· The Sept. 4, 2024, The Island News article by Larry Dandridge, “Things You Need to Know About VSOs” at https://bit.ly/4o8QZDS.
·The Aug. 13, 2025, The Island News article by Larry Dandridge, What Veterans Need to Know about VSOs, VA Healthcare, and More (Part 1 of 6)” at https://bit.ly/4omOLA8.
· The Oct. 26, 2022, The Island News article by Larry Dandridge, “Should Veterans Continue to Apply for Disability After they Reach a 100% Rating” at https://bit.ly/46YQd68.
· The VA webpage “Eligibility for VA disability” at https://bit.ly/4hgiEji.
· The VA webpage “The PACT Act and your VA benefits” at https://bit.ly/47z9WJN.
· The VA webpage “your intetn to file a claim” at https://bit.ly/47Fq0c3.
· The VA webpage “Fully developed claims program” at https://bit.ly/3JgMp71.
· The VA webpage “Standard disability claims” at https://bit.ly/3Wc1V7j. Use this route if you want the VA to take more responsibility for gathering evidence.
· The VA webpage “Evidence needed for your disability claim” (Original Claims, Increased Claims, Secondary Claims, Supplemental Claims, MST Claims) at https://bit.ly/48FQlbV.
· VA-accredited representative FAQs at https://bit.ly/3WfQSKo.
· The VA search engine “Find a VA accredited representative of VSO (Representatives include VA-accredited Attorneys, Claims Agents, and VSOs)” at https://bit.ly/3WjaoFI.
· The VA webpage “Exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials,” (Agent Orange, Asbestos, Birth Defects/Spina Bifida, Burn Pits, Mustard Gas or Lewisite, Contaminated Water/Camp Lejune, Gulf War Illness SW Asia, Gulf War Illness Afghanistan, Project 112 or Project SHAD, and Radiation Exposure) at https://bit.ly/3J4VWhD.
· The VA webpage “Compensation-Public disability benefits questionaires (DBQs)” at https://bit.ly/47yNJLY and https://bit.ly/47xT71L.
· The VA webpage “Supporting forms for VA claims” https://bit.ly/4o0ZpwI.
· The VA webpage “File additional forms for your disability claim” at https://bit.ly/42N75dI.
· The VA webpage “Predischarge claim” (Benefits Deliver at Discharge — BDD Program) at https://bit.ly/47mkWZL and https://bit.ly/3KZBPC7.
· The VA webpage “Request priority processing for a an existing claim” (Homeless or risk of homelessness or Extreme financial hardship, or have ALS or Terminally ill or Very Seriously Ill/Injured, 85 or older or former POW, or MOH or Purple Heart) at https://bit.ly/3LjZhde.
· The VA webpage “Military sexual trauma and MST claim” at https://bit.ly/47hrMzQ.
· The VA webpages “About VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim)” at https://bit.ly/4hlu8SD; and The VA “About VA Form 21-10210 (Lay/Witness Statement)” at https://bit.ly/47gDOcr.
· The VA webpages “VA claim exam” at https://bit.ly/3L7xcG1 and https://bit.ly/3ISzxEg.
· The VA webpages “Authorization to disclose information to the Department of VA (VA Form 21-4142)” at https://bit.ly/3WgA0TB, and (VA 21-4142a) at https://bit.ly/4ndqtYw.
· The VA webpage “Current veterans disability compensation effective rates” at https://bit.ly/3JkN9bq (Max payment today for veteran with spouse is $4,044.91 per month, tax-free).
· The Aug. 16 and 23, 2023, The Island News articles by Larry Dandridge, “How to File a VA Disability Claim,” Parts 1 and 2 at https://bit.ly/3J4WjZz and https://bit.ly/4qkDFO3.
· The VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, https://bit.ly/3YXZPKh.
· The 38 CFR Part 3 Compensation and Pension, https://bit.ly/3YZVK8t.
· The 38 CFR Part 4 Schedule for Rating Disabilities, https://bit.ly/3YYZqr4.
· The Sept. 13 and 20, 2023, The Island News articles by Larry Dandridge, “Suggestions for Veterans filing a Service-Connected Disability Compensation Claim,” Parts 1 and 2 at https://bit.ly/4qeSJwx and https://bit.ly/3IXlIV3.
· The April 24, May 1 and May 8, 2025, The Island News articles by Larry Dandridge “What Veterans Need to Know about Lay Witness Statements,” Parts 1, 2, and 3. at
https://bit.ly/3KZCaVu, https://bit.ly/470Slu9, and https://bit.ly/49jRxSq.
· The May 15, May 22 and May 29, 2025, The Island News articles by Larry Dandridge, “What do veterans need to know about NEXUS letters?” Parts 1, 2, and 3 at https://bit.ly/47iVrZe, https://bit.ly/4hluqJd, and https://bit.ly/47mkdrH.
· The Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6, 2023, The Island News articles by Larry Dandridge “What veterans should know about VA Claim Exams (C&P),” Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 at https://bit.ly/3L1gh7Z, https://bit.ly/3Jeoc1l, https://bit.ly/3WTzHOJ, and https://bit.ly/3JeoTaW.
· The Nov. 13, 2024, The Island News article by Larry Dandridge, “What Veterans Need to Know about Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)” at https://bit.ly/4nZIqeb.
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 VA-accredited VSO, a Patient Adviser at Charleston and Durham VA Hospitals, the Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the Veterans Benefits Adviser for his local Association of the US Army (AUSA) Chapter and VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning Blades of Thunder (Book One) and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
