Understand the Process. Know What You Earned.
If you have an injury, illness, or condition that may be connected to your military service, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. VGS helps veterans understand the process, the steps involved, and the official resources available to them.
Step-by-Step: VA Disability Compensation
Understand Service Connection
A VA disability claim generally involves three elements: a current disability or condition, an event, injury, illness, exposure, or circumstance that occurred during military service, and a connection between that current condition and your military service. VA also recognizes presumptive conditions — certain diagnoses that VA presumes are connected to specific service circumstances without requiring the veteran to prove the direct link. Secondary service connection applies when a service-connected condition causes or aggravates another condition.
Intent to File
Submitting an Intent to File can establish a potential effective date while you prepare your claim, subject to VA requirements and deadlines. This means that if your claim is later approved, your effective date — and potentially your back pay — may go back to the date VA received your Intent to File rather than the date you submitted the full claim. You have up to one year from the date VA receives your Intent to File to complete and submit your claim.
Identify the Conditions You Are Claiming
Identify the legitimate physical or mental-health conditions you believe are connected to your military service. Be specific and accurate. Do not minimize real conditions, and do not claim conditions that are not genuinely connected to your service.
- Service injuries
- Chronic conditions
- Hearing loss or tinnitus
- Mental-health conditions
- Illnesses
- Presumptive conditions
- Secondary conditions
Gather Your Information
Relevant information may include records and documentation that support the connection between your condition and your military service. The goal is accurate documentation of legitimate conditions — not to build a case, but to ensure VA has what it needs to evaluate your claim fairly.
- Service treatment records
- VA medical records
- Private medical records
- Military personnel records
- Relevant supporting statements
- Other evidence applicable to the condition
File Your VA Claim
Veterans can file a disability claim directly with VA online, by mail, in person at a VA regional office, or with the help of an accredited representative. Veterans who want assistance may use a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), claims agent, or attorney — at no cost in most cases for VSO representation.
Your C&P Exam
A Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination is a medical evaluation VA may schedule to gather information about your claimed conditions. The examiner provides medical information and opinions that VA uses in evaluating your claim — the examiner does not necessarily make the final rating decision.
- Attend all scheduled examinations
- Be truthful and specific about your symptoms
- Explain how the condition affects your everyday life and functioning
- Do not minimize legitimate symptoms
- Do not exaggerate symptoms
VA Reviews Your Claim
VA reviews your claim, the available evidence, medical information from your C&P exam and records, applicable service-connection rules, and the rating criteria in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). This process takes time. VA will notify you of any additional information needed.
Receive Your Decision
When VA issues a rating decision, read it carefully. Your decision letter will explain what VA decided and why. The combined VA disability rating is calculated using a specific VA formula — it is not simple addition of individual ratings.
- Conditions granted service connection
- Conditions denied service connection
- Individual disability ratings for each condition
- Your combined disability rating
- Effective dates for each condition
- Reasons and bases for the decision
If You Disagree
If you disagree with a VA decision, VA has formal decision-review and appeal pathways available to you. There are three lanes: Supplemental Claim (new and relevant evidence), Higher-Level Review (senior reviewer, same evidence), and Board Appeal (Veterans Law Judge). Each lane has different rules, timelines, and requirements. Consult an accredited representative if you need assistance navigating the decision-review process.
Already Have a VA Disability Rating?
Your Journey May Not Be Over.
If you already have a VA disability rating, there are circumstances where you may need to return to the VA benefits process.
The correct pathway depends on what has changed.
My Service-Connected Condition Has Gotten Worse
If an existing service-connected condition has worsened since your last VA rating, you may be able to request an increased disability evaluation. The VA will re-examine the current severity of the condition to determine whether a higher rating is warranted.
Understand Increased-Rating ClaimsI Have Another Condition Related to My Service
Having an existing VA rating does not prevent you from filing a claim for an additional condition you believe is connected to your military service. Each condition is evaluated separately based on its own service connection and medical evidence.
Understand Additional ClaimsI Have a Condition Related to an Existing Service-Connected Disability
A secondary service connection applies when a new condition is caused by, aggravated by, or directly linked to an already service-connected disability. For example, a condition that develops as a result of a service-connected injury or medication may qualify for secondary service connection.
Understand Secondary ConditionsI Disagree with a VA Decision
Receiving a VA decision does not necessarily end the process. The VA offers three official decision-review pathways for veterans who disagree with a rating decision:
- Supplemental Claim — Submit new and relevant evidence for VA review.
- Higher-Level Review — Request a senior VA reviewer re-examine the existing record.
- Board Appeal — Appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Important
An increased-rating claim, new claim, secondary claim, and decision review are different processes. Veterans should understand which pathway applies to their situation before taking action.
Not Sure Which Pathway Applies to You?
VGS AI can help you understand the terminology, learn the differences between these pathways, organize your information, locate official VA resources, and prepare questions — so you can approach the process with clarity.
VGS AI provides educational information only. It does not determine what a veteran should claim or what rating they should receive.
Need Additional Guidance?
Speak with a VGS Consultant
A VGS consultant can help you understand the educational roadmap, identify which pathway may apply to your situation, locate official VA resources, and organize your next steps. VGS consultants do not prepare, file, review, or represent individual VA claims unless that service is provided by an appropriately VA-accredited representative.
Beyond Disability Compensation
VA offers additional compensation and benefit programs that may apply depending on your circumstances, service history, and family situation.
VA Pension
A needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income and net worth who are permanently and totally disabled or age 65 or older.
VA: Pension BenefitsDependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
A tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who died from a service-connected condition.
VA: DIC BenefitsSpecial Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Additional compensation for veterans who have specific severe disabilities or combinations of disabilities, such as loss of use of a limb, blindness, or the need for regular aid and attendance.
VA: Special Monthly CompensationDependents & Family Benefits
Veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher may be eligible to add dependents to their compensation, which can increase the monthly payment amount.
VA: Add or Remove a DependentVGS doesn't replace the VA. We help you understand the roadmap.
VGS provides education, navigation, organization, and access to vetted official resources. VGS does not represent itself as a VA-accredited claims representative and does not make decisions for the VA. Veterans may file directly with VA or seek assistance from an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.
Your rating is the beginning of another roadmap.
Once VA issues a rating, your benefits picture may expand significantly. Depending on your rating percentage and circumstances, additional programs, exemptions, and entitlements may become available to you. Veterans who receive 100% Permanent & Total status unlock a distinct set of federal and state benefits.
Explore 100% P&T BenefitsYour first rating may not be your last.
Veterans who are already service-connected may later need to understand additional VA processes. These situations do not all use the same process, and knowing which pathway applies to your circumstances is an important first step.
You may need to understand additional VA processes if:
- A service-connected condition has worsened
- You believe a higher evaluation may be appropriate
- You develop another condition you believe is related to military service
- You believe a condition may be secondary to an existing service-connected disability
- VA denied a condition
- You disagree with a VA decision
Which pathway applies to you?
Condition Worsened
Learn about filing for an increased disability rating
New Service-Connected Condition
Learn about filing an additional claim
Secondary Condition
Learn how VA evaluates secondary service connection
Disagree with a Decision
Learn about VA decision-review options
Filing for an increased rating or additional claim does not guarantee a change in your evaluation. VGS provides educational information only.
The forms you need. In one place.
VGS organizes commonly used official VA disability forms so veterans do not have to search through multiple websites trying to determine where to find them. All links go directly to official VA sources.
Intent to File a Claim
Establishes an earlier effective date while you gather evidence for your disability claim. Gives you up to one year to complete and submit your claim.
VA.gov — Form 21-0966Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits
The primary form used to file an initial disability compensation claim, an increased-rating claim, or a claim for additional conditions.
VA.gov — Form 21-526EZAuthorization to Disclose Information to the VA
Authorizes VA to request private medical records from your healthcare providers on your behalf.
VA.gov — Form 21-4142Statement in Support of Claim
A general-purpose statement form used to provide additional information, personal statements, or buddy statements in support of a disability claim.
VA.gov — Form 21-4138Lay/Witness Statement
Used by veterans, family members, or fellow service members to provide a written statement describing how a condition affects the veteran's daily life or to corroborate service events.
VA.gov — Form 21-10210Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim
Used to submit new and relevant evidence after a VA decision. One of three decision-review lanes available to veterans who disagree with a VA rating decision.
VA.gov — Form 20-0995Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review
Requests a senior VA reviewer to take a fresh look at your case based on the same evidence of record. No new evidence may be submitted with this lane.
VA.gov — Form 20-0996Decision Review Request: Board Appeal
Requests a review by a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Three docket options are available: direct review, evidence submission, or hearing.
VA.gov — Form 10182Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative
Authorizes a VA-accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent to act as your representative in VA claims and appeals.
VA.gov — Form 21-22All forms link directly to official VA.gov sources. VGS does not host copies of VA forms. Always download forms from VA.gov to ensure you have the current version.
Don't just find the form. Understand what you're doing.
The VGS AI Command Center can help you make sense of the VA disability process before you file — so you walk in prepared, not confused.
VGS AI is not a VA-accredited representative, medical professional, or legal representative. It does not provide legal advice, medical opinions, or claim strategy. Always consult a VA-accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent for representation.
VGS helps you understand the road. You remain in control of your claim.
Need More Guidance?
Choose the level of support that works for you.
Option 1
Follow the VGS Roadmap
Use the free VGS educational guides, official government resources, and VA forms to understand the process and take your next steps.
Option 2
Use VGS AI Command Center
Use VGS AI to help understand terminology, organize information, understand forms, create checklists, and prepare questions.
Option 3
Speak with a VGS Consultant
For veterans who want additional human guidance understanding the VGS roadmap and available resources.
A VGS consultant can help you understand the educational process, organize your next steps, identify official resources, and better understand the information available to you.
VGS consultants do not make VA decisions and are not VA-accredited claims representatives unless individually accredited.
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Transition Assistance
Preparing for life after service — education, employment, and benefits.