You can find the current status of your claim in your VA.gov portal.
A VA Disability Rating is a percentage assigned by the VA based on the severity of your service-connected conditions. The higher the percentage, the more compensation a Veteran will receive for their conditions.
In order for your conditions to qualify for a rating by the VA, they must be a result of your military service.
To apply, submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding your specific conditions on the claim.
If the VA approves your claim, you will receive a monthly payment as well as full medical care from the VA for your service-connected disabilities.
The VA follows the rules of the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to determine rating percentages. This is based on your symptoms, treatment options, and how it directly results from your disability.
If the VA assigned an incorrect rating, you can appeal their decision by proving that you qualify for a higher rating. Remember, if your conditions have worsened since you last applied, then you can submit a new claim asking for an increased evaluation.
Veterans with service-connected conditions submit a VA Disability Claim in order to collect their disability benefits.
The best way to submit your claim is directly through the VA.gov portal. You can also submit a paper copy of VA Form 21-526EZ to the address provided on the form. It is best to submit all of your supporting evidence along with your claim.
Once you are a retired veteran, you can submit a claim for your VA disability benefits at any time. If you are still active duty, you can only submit a claim once you are within 90 days of your discharge date or as part of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System.
No. If you want to simplify the process, you can submit each of your conditions on the same claim. However, if you forget to add one or another develops later, then you will have to submit a new claim for those specific conditions. Remember, the VA will only rate conditions that you can prove are service-connected.
A claim submitted with all of the necessary documentation will typically be processed within 3 months. If your claim is missing information, it could take significantly longer.
If your VA claim was denied, you might be wondering why. For more information, refer to our denial page. If you need help submitting your appeal, contact us, we’re happy to help!