How to File a VA Disability Compensation Claim for a Service-Connected Condition

What you need to prove for an original VA disability claim

An original disability claim is your first claim for VA disability compensation. For a condition related to active-duty service, VA generally looks for evidence showing three things: you have a current physical or mental disability, an event, injury or disease occurred during active-duty service, and there is a connection between the current condition and that in-service event, injury or disease.

The connection is often supported by medical records or a medical opinion. VA may also consider lay evidence, such as a statement from someone who served with you or another person with relevant first-hand knowledge. Different rules apply to qualifying periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training.

For certain presumptive conditions, you do not have to independently prove that military service caused the condition if you meet the service requirements for the applicable VA presumption.

Documents and evidence to prepare before filing

VA encourages claimants to provide relevant supporting documents with the application when available. Common evidence includes:

• DD214 or other discharge or separation records.
• Service treatment records.
• VA medical records and hospital records related to the claimed condition.
• Private doctor, hospital, imaging, laboratory or treatment records.
• Medical opinions explaining the relationship between the current disability and military service when appropriate.
• Supporting or lay statements from service members, family, friends, clergy, law enforcement personnel or others with relevant knowledge.

You do not have to possess every record before submitting a standard claim. VA can obtain relevant federal records and, with the necessary information and authorization, can make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant non-federal records. You remain responsible for making sure VA receives requested records that are not held by a federal agency.

File online or use VA Form 21-526EZ

The standard application is VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. The January 2026 revision was current when this procedure was verified.

You can complete the equivalent disability claim electronically through VA.gov. If you prefer a paper application, complete Form 21-526EZ and submit it by mail, fax or in person.

Online filing

VA.gov provides an online disability compensation application. If you start the application and need more time to gather supporting documents, you can save it and return later. VA states that it will recognize the date you started the online application as the date of claim if you complete the application within 365 days.

Filing by mail

Mail the completed VA Form 21-526EZ to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

Filing by fax

VA currently lists 844-531-7818 for claimants inside the United States and 248-524-4260 for claimants outside the United States.

In-person filing and accredited help

You can bring the application to a VA regional office. You can also work with a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, attorney or claims agent. VA warns Veterans about unaccredited businesses that charge for help preparing initial benefit claims. Many accredited VSO representatives provide assistance without charge.

Use an intent to file if you need more time

If you plan to submit a paper disability claim but are still gathering information, an Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC, VA Form 21-0966 can preserve a potential earlier effective date for benefits.

After VA receives an intent to file, you generally have 1 year to complete and file the disability compensation claim. Only one active intent to file for a general benefit can be active at a time.

You generally do not need a separate intent to file when filing disability compensation online because VA establishes a potential effective date when you start the online application, provided you complete it within the allowed period.

Is there a deadline to file an original disability claim?

VA does not impose a single general deadline that prevents a Veteran from filing an original service-connected disability claim years after leaving service. But filing timing can affect the effective date and therefore potential retroactive compensation.

For direct service connection, the effective date is generally the later of the date VA receives the claim or the date entitlement arose. If VA receives the claim within 1 year after separation from active service, the effective date may be as early as the day after separation.

Can you add evidence after filing?

Yes. VA states that you have up to 1 year from the date it receives your claim to submit evidence. However, sending relevant evidence with the initial application when possible can reduce delays caused by additional evidence gathering.

A standard claim allows VA to take more responsibility for collecting evidence. A Fully Developed Claim is appropriate when you submit the completed application and all supporting evidence you have, certify that no additional evidence is needed from you, and attend any VA examinations that VA determines are necessary.

What happens after you submit the claim

VA first acknowledges receipt of the claim. It then reviews the application, gathers evidence as needed and may schedule a Compensation and Pension exam, often called a C&P exam. If VA schedules an exam, attend it unless VA gives you different instructions.

After the evidence is reviewed, VA prepares a decision and sends a decision letter. You can check the claim status through VA.gov while the claim is pending.

How long a VA disability claim may take

VA reported an average of 68.4 days to complete disability-related claims in August 2026. This is an overall average, not a guaranteed deadline. Processing time varies based on the type of claim, the number and complexity of claimed conditions and how long VA needs to collect evidence.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving claimed conditions or required sections of Form 21-526EZ incomplete.
• Failing to identify relevant private medical providers or records that VA may need.
• Assuming VA already has every private treatment record.
• Missing a scheduled C&P examination without resolving the issue with VA.
• Waiting to establish an intent to file when using a paper application and needing significant time to gather evidence.
• Paying an unaccredited company to prepare an initial VA benefits application when accredited assistance is available.

What this procedure does not cover

This procedure is for an original VA disability compensation claim for a service-connected condition. It does not cover an appeal or decision review, a Supplemental Claim after a prior decision, or a request for an increased rating for a disability VA has already determined to be service connected.