Learn the step-by-step process to file a VA disability claim, including the documents needed, what to expect during the process, and how to appeal if your claim is denied.

The PACT Act expands benefit access for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. The PACT Act is a new law that expands access to VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they've earned and deserve. Learn how the PACT Act may affect your VA benefits and care

Getting Ready to Apply for VA Disability Compensation

First things first. Are you eligible? Here’s what the VA has to say about eligibility.

“You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and

You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training

And at least one of these must be true:

You got sick or injured while serving in the military—and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an in-service disability claim), or

You had an illness or injury before you joined the military—and serving made it worse (called a pre-service disability claim), or

You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a post-service disability claim)” Source: VA.gov

Presumptive Conditions: Another path to eligibility

VA recognizes certain conditions as presumptive, meaning they assume that a veteran's service likely caused the condition. This makes it easier for veterans and their families to receive compensation and health care benefits.

Find out more about these categories of presumptive conditions:

• A chronic (long-lasting) illness that appears within 1 year after discharge
• An illness caused by contact with contaminants (toxic chemicals) or other hazardous materials
• An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war (POW)

Bad Paper? Other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge? What to do if bad paper is stopping you from filing a VA Disability Claim.

There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:

• Find out how to apply for a discharge upgrade
• Learn about the VA Character of Discharge review process

How and Where To File Your VA Disability Claim

Online

File for disability compensation online now

By mail

File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).

Get VA Form 21-526EZ to download

Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Claims Intake Center

PO Box 4444

Janesville, WI 53547-4444

In-person

Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.

Find a VA regional office near you

With the help of a trained professional

You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation.

Get help from an accredited representative

Should I submit an intent to file form?

If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date). When you notify the VA of your intent to file, **you may be able to get retroactive payments (**compensation that starts at a point in the past).

Note: If you file for disability compensation online, then you don’t need to notify us of your intent to file. This is because your effective date gets set automatically when you start filling out the form online—before you submit it.

Find out how to submit an intent to file form

Further Information from the VA

• Claim types and when to file

  Learn about standard claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more.

• Evidence needed for your disability claim

  Find out what evidence we’ll need to support your disability claim.

• Disabilities that appear within 1 year after discharge

  Find out if you can get disability benefits if you have signs of an illness within a year after being discharged from service.

• Get help from an accredited representative

  Find out how to work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to file your claim.

• Supporting forms for VA claims

  Find additional forms that you may need to support your claim.