How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

By Kayla Lowe

If you are a veteran of any branch of the military, you might be entitled to certain benefits due to your service. If you are disabled due to service in the military or out, you might be able to receive either VA compensation or a VA pension. VA compensation is for those veterans who are disabled due to military service, and the VA pension is for those who are disabled but not necessarily due to military service, and have a low income. To find out if you are eligible for VA benefits, you must first file a veteran's disability claim.

Download VA Form 21-526, the Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension (See Resource 1).

Fill out the general information, compensation and dependency sections of the form if you are applying for VA compensation; fill out the general information, dependency and compensation sections of the form if you are applying for a VA pension. To apply for both, fill out all sections, but note that you can only collect one or the other, so if you are awarded both, you must select which one you want.

Complete the general information section by providing your basic information such as your name, date of military service and other military duty information. Attach copies of your DD214 separation records to the form to support this section.

Complete the compensation section of the form by listing all disabilities that you are claiming are caused by your military service and list when and where you were treated for said disabilities while in the military service. Attach any medical records of treatment after military service to support this section.

Complete the dependency section by listing all dependents you have, including current and previous marriages and children who live with you, as well as those who don't. Attach copies of any divorce and marriage certificates as well as your dependents' birth certificates to support this section.

Complete the pension section of the form by listing the disabilities that weren't due to military service, but that make you unemployable. Also list any employment history, financial information and any nursing home information. Attach any medical records and nursing home information to support this section.

Print the form and mail it to your nearest VA office (See Resource 3 for VA office locations). Depending on how many applications the office is handling, you may have to wait six months or more for a decision. If you are denied, you have the option to begin the appeal process.

You may also file your veteran's disability claim online via VA's VONAPP service if you wish (See Resource 2).

If you need assistance filling out your claim, simply visit your nearest VA office, where an employee will assist you.

Providing as much documentation and evidence supporting your claim as possible will improve your chances at winning your VA claim.

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