Filing VA Fully Developed Claims

Filing VA Fully Developed Claims

The Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program offers veterans a faster way to receive decisions on their VA disability benefits claims. By submitting all required evidence up-front, veterans can expedite the claims process. This guide explores how to file an FDC, ensure your claim is fully developed, and reconstruct military records that may have been destroyed. Whether you're filing a new claim or seeking to rebuild lost service records, understanding these processes can help streamline your path to receiving VA benefits.

Filing a Fully Developed Claim

The Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program expedites VA disability benefit decisions by allowing veterans to submit all required evidence upfront. Key benefits include:

• -  Faster processing times compared to standard claims

• -  No risk to benefits eligibility

• -  Potential for earlier effective dates

  To file an FDC, veterans must complete VA Form 21-526EZ, gather all relevant documentation, and certify they have no additional evidence to submit 1 2. The VA will still obtain federal records and schedule any necessary medical examinations 3. While faster, the FDC process requires thorough preparation to ensure a complete and accurate claim submission.

Gather all necessary documentation, including military service records, medical records (both military and civilian), and supporting statements 1

Complete VA Form 21-526EZ, ensuring all sections are filled out accurately and completely 1

Submit all supporting evidence simultaneously with your claim form 1. Certify that you have no additional evidence to provide 1

Attend any VA medical examinations scheduled as part of the claim process 1

- (1) Fully Developed Claims Program | Veterans Affairs

Tips for Successful Submission

To maximize the chances of a successful Fully Developed Claim submission, consider these tips:

• Work with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative for expert guidance
• Use Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) that match your claimed conditions
• Be thorough in answering all questions on claim forms, using "N/A" or "None" for inapplicable fields
• Submit all evidence simultaneously with your claim
• Understand the specific type of claim you're filing (original, reopened, new, secondary, or special)
• Attend all scheduled VA medical examinations promptly
• Avoid submitting additional evidence after filing, as this may convert your
• FDC to a standard claim 1 2

- (2) The Fully Developed Claim, Demystified - VetsHQ

Reconstructing Destroyed Military Records

Veterans whose military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center can reconstruct their service history through alternate sources. Key steps include gathering basic information about military service, submitting a re-quest to NPRC using GSA Standard Form 180, and utilizing alternate data sources such as VA records, organizational records, and state Adjutants General records 1 2. The NPRC can often reconstruct essential service data like dates of active service, rank, and periods of hospitalization using these alternate sources 3.

Submit photocopies of any existing service-related documents with the re-construction request.

Contact state or county veterans agencies, as some veterans registered discharge papers locally

Be patient, as NPRC receives thousands of requests daily, and processing times may vary.

Consider seeking assistance from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) for additional support.

• -  (2) Restored records from the fire in St Louis - History Hub

• -  (3) Other Methods to Obtain Military Service Records | National Archives