How to File a VA Disability Claim Step by Step in 2026

Filing a VA disability claim can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into clear steps makes the process manageable. This guide walks you through every stage of the VA claims process in 2026 — from gathering your first piece of evidence to reviewing your decision and appealing if necessary.

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Before you file anything, collect the documentation that will support your claim. Strong evidence is the foundation of every successful VA disability claim.

Essential Documents

• DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge) — Proves your military service dates, character of discharge, and MOS
• Service Treatment Records (STRs) — Medical records from during your service documenting injuries, illnesses, or complaints
• Post-service medical records — VA and private treatment records showing a current diagnosis
• Personal statement — Your own written account of what happened during service and how it affects you now

Helpful Supporting Evidence

• Buddy statements — Sworn statements from fellow servicemembers who witnessed your injury or condition
• Nexus letter — A medical opinion from a doctor linking your current condition to military service
• Photos or incident reports — Any documentation of the event that caused your condition
• Employment records — Evidence showing how your condition affects your ability to work

Step 2: File an Intent to File

An Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) is the single most important step most veterans skip — and it can cost them thousands of dollars.

What It Does

An Intent to File establishes your effective date — the date from which the VA will calculate back pay if your claim is approved. You then have one year to submit your complete claim (VA Form 21-526EZ).

How to File

You can submit an Intent to File three ways:

1. Online at VA.gov — Start a disability claim and save it as a draft
2. By phone — Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000
3. In person — Visit your local VA Regional Office

Why This Matters Financially

Example: You file an Intent to File on March 1, 2026, then submit your full claim on August 1, 2026. Your claim is approved on February 1, 2027 at 50% ($1,132.90/month). Your back pay is calculated from March 1, 2026 — not August 2026 — giving you approximately $12,500 in retroactive payments instead of $6,800.

Step 3: Complete VA Form 21-526EZ

VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) is the primary application for VA disability benefits.

How to File the 21-526EZ

• Online (recommended): File at VA.gov through your account — the system walks you through each section
• By mail: Download and print the form, then mail to your VA Regional Office
• In person: Bring the completed form to your VA Regional Office
• With a VSO: A Veterans Service Organization (free) can help you complete and submit the form

Key Sections to Complete Carefully

1. Claimed conditions: List every condition you're claiming — be specific (e.g., "lumbar degenerative disc disease" not just "back pain")
2. Service information: Dates of service, branch, duty stations
3. Treatment history: Where and when you received treatment for each condition
4. Direct vs. secondary: Indicate whether each condition was directly caused by service or is secondary to another service-connected condition

Pro Tips for the 21-526EZ

• Claim every condition — Even if you're unsure it will be approved, list it. You can always withdraw a condition later, but adding one after the fact requires a new claim
• Use correct medical terminology — "Tinnitus" not "ringing in ears"; "Lumbosacral strain" not "back problems"
• Be consistent — Your descriptions should match your medical records and personal statements

Step 4: Submit Supporting Evidence

After filing your 21-526EZ, upload all supporting evidence through VA.gov or mail copies to the VA. Key evidence includes:

Nexus Letters

A nexus letter from a medical professional states that your condition is "at least as likely as not" (≥ 50% probability) connected to military service. This is often the most important single piece of evidence, especially for conditions not clearly documented in service records.

Buddy Statements (Lay Statements)

Written statements from people who witnessed your condition or its effects. Effective buddy statements:

• Come from fellow servicemembers, family, or coworkers
• Describe specific observations (not medical opinions)
• Are signed and dated
• Include the witness's relationship to you and how they know the information

Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)

DBQs are standardized VA forms that a private doctor can fill out documenting the severity of your condition. A completed DBQ gives the VA exactly the information it needs to assign a rating.

Step 5: Attend the C&P Exam

The VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate your claimed conditions. This exam is conducted by a VA doctor or VA-contracted examiner.

How to Prepare

• Review your medical records before the exam so you can speak accurately about your history
• Describe your worst days — Don't minimize your symptoms or tough it out
• Bring documentation — Carry copies of nexus letters, buddy statements, and key medical records
• Be honest but thorough — Answer every question completely, including how your condition affects daily life and work

What the Examiner Evaluates

• Current severity of your condition
• Range of motion (for musculoskeletal claims)
• Functional impact on work and daily activities
• Whether the condition is connected to service (nexus opinion)

Common C&P Exam Mistakes

• Understating symptoms — Don't say "I'm fine" when you're not. Report symptoms on your worst days
• Missing the appointment — A missed C&P exam can result in automatic denial. If you can't attend, reschedule immediately
• Not requesting a copy — Ask for a copy of the C&P exam report to review for errors

Step 6: Wait for Your Decision

After your C&P exam, the VA reviews all evidence and makes a rating decision. In 2026, typical wait times are:

While You Wait

• Check your claim status at VA.gov under "Check your claim or appeal status"
• Respond promptly to any VA requests for additional information
• Don't file duplicate claims — This slows everything down
• Continue medical treatment — Ongoing treatment records strengthen your claim

Step 7: Review Your Decision and Appeal if Needed

When the VA issues a decision, you'll receive a letter with your rating for each claimed condition and your combined disability rating.

If Your Claim Is Approved

Review your rating carefully. Make sure every condition was rated and the percentages match the severity of your symptoms. Even approved claims can be underrated.

If Your Claim Is Denied or Underrated

You have three appeal options under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA):

1. Supplemental Claim — Submit new and relevant evidence the VA hasn't seen before
2. Higher-Level Review — A senior reviewer re-examines the same evidence (no new evidence allowed)
3. Board of Veterans' Appeals — A Veterans Law Judge reviews your case (can submit new evidence and request a hearing)

You have one year from the date of your decision to file an appeal and preserve your original effective date.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Deny Claims

Avoid these pitfalls in the VA claims process:

• Not filing an Intent to File first — Costs you months of back pay
• Vague condition descriptions — Use specific medical terms, not general complaints
• Missing C&P exams — Automatic denial in most cases
• Not claiming secondary conditions — Leaving money on the table (see our secondary conditions guide)
• Submitting incomplete medical evidence — The VA decides based on what's in your file
• Waiting too long to appeal — You lose your effective date after one year
• Not using a VSO — Free help from experienced claims advocates (VFW, DAV, American Legion)

How the Benefits Finder Helps at Every Stage

Your disability rating determines which benefits you qualify for — and the difference between a 60% and 70% rating can unlock thousands of dollars in additional annual benefits, from property tax exemptions to CHAMPVA healthcare for your dependents.

Use the Veterans Benefits Finder to see exactly what benefits become available at different rating levels. Whether you're filing your first claim or considering an appeal for a higher rating, knowing what's at stake helps you make informed decisions about your claim.