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In our experience helping over 25,000 disabled veterans, the best way to file a VA disability claim is to apply online at VA.gov/disability.

Veterans can complete their VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) online here.

Remember this: Filing a VA disability claim is straightforward, and there are multiple ways to do it.

The hard part, which is both an art and a science, is filing a VA claim with the right evidence needed to win, service-connect, and secure the VA rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country.

Okay, let’s cover the different ways veterans can file a VA claim along with the evidence needed for each type of disability claim.

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Summary of Key Points

• The 5 Ways to File a VA Disability Claim: Veterans can file VA disability claims online via VA.gov, by mail, in person at a VA regional office, by fax, or with the assistance of a VA-accredited representative. Online filing is the best method for better visibility and control over the VA claims process.

• Evidence Requirements Vary by VA Claim Type: The required evidence depends on the type of claim (e.g., primary, secondary, presumptive, aggravation). Common evidence includes DD 214, medical records, DBQs, nexus letters, and statements in support of a claim.

• Types of VA Disability Claims: Veterans can file for direct service connection, secondary service connection, presumptive service connection, service connection by aggravation, or under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for injuries caused by VA care or services.

• Pro Tips to Strengthen Your VA Claim: Utilizing medical records, DBQs, strong nexus letters, buddy letters, and personal statements can increase the likelihood of VA claim success, especially if you’ve been out of the military for more than one year.

What is the BEST Way to File a VA Claim?

According to VA disability expert Brian Reese, the best way to file a VA claim is to do a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) online at VA.gov.

By filing online, veterans automatically open an Intent to File, and can maintain visibility and control over the VA claims process from submission to decision.

The online system also allows veterans to upload important evidence, such as their DD 214, medical records, Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), Nexus Letters, and lay evidence in support of their VA disability claim.

Here’s some tutorials to help you prepare and file your own VA claim online:

• Click here for a 17-step tutorial with screenshots of how to file a VA claim online.

• Click here for a 15-step tutorial with screenshots of how to file a VA disability increase claim online.

• Click here for a short tutorial with screenshots of how to file a secondary VA claim online.

What Are the Other Ways to File a VA Claim?

Veterans can also use one of these other four options to file a VA claim (if you don’t want to do it yourself online).

Option #1: By Mail

File your claim by mail (paper copy) using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).

Print the form, fill it out, and mail it to this address:

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

Option #2: In-Person

Bring your paper copy application to a VA regional office near you.

>> Find a VA regional office closest to you

Option #3: By Fax

If you’re in the U.S., fax your paper VA claim application to 844-531-7818.

If you’re outside the U.S., fax your paper VA claim application to 248-524-4260.

Option #4: VA-Accredited Representative

You can also choose to work with an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney who can help you prepare and file your VA claim as well as represent you before the VA.

>> Find a VA-Accredited Representative

What Evidence is Needed for a VA Disability Claim?

The evidence needed for your VA claim depends on the type of service-connection you’re filing for.

For example, a primary claim for direct service connection requires different evidence than a secondary claim for secondary service connection.

#1. Primary VA Claim for Direct Service Connection

This is the most common method of service connection for VA disability benefits.

You’re telling the VA that your current disability condition is the direct result of your active duty military service.

Maybe it was a training incident, car accident, combat deployment, stress from the job, or other in-service incident, injury, event, or disease that directly caused or made your current disability condition worse.

An example is combat PTSD due to an IED attack in Afghanistan.

The PTSD is due to your combat deployment, which is directly related to your military service.

Evidence Requirements for Direct Service Connection:

• REQUIRED: DD 214

• REQUIRED: Diagnosis of a current disability in a medical record (service treatment records, VA medical records, or private medical records)

• REQUIRED: Evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or aggravation in either service treatment records or military personnel records

• RECOMMENDED: Nexus Letter for Direct Service Connection (if you’ve been out of the military for more than 12 months)

• OPTIONAL: Statement in Support of a Claim (write one for each disability condition you’re filing for and explain the VA Claims Insider Golden Circle for each of the 4 elements)

• OPTIONAL: Buddy Letter (if you’re trying to prove an in-service stressor event and it’s not already documented in your service treatment records)

#2. Secondary VA Claim for Secondary Service Connection

In accordance with 38 CFR § 3.310 current disability condition that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury shall also be service connected.

Let’s say, for example, you developed ringing in your ears, called “Tinnitus” while serving.

Today, even though you are no longer serving, that service-connected tinnitus might be causing migraine headaches, anxiety, and/or depression.

Service connection on a secondary basis requires a “showing of causation.”

Instead of proving that your disability is directly service-connected, you’ll need to prove that it’s caused or made worse by a different disability (which is service-connected).

In this example, you could file a VA disability claim for migraine headaches secondary to your service-connected tinnitus.

>> Click HERE to Download Our FREE eBook of 100+ Conditions for Secondary Service Connection!

Pro Tip: A Nexus Letter is highly recommended to help you prove secondary service connection under the law. >> Click HERE NOW << to sign up for our premier education-based Coaching/Consulting program VA Claims Insider Elite, start right now, connect with a Veteran Coach in minutes, and get high-quality Nexus Letters at reduced rates (if wanted and warranted by the evidence of record).

Evidence Requirements for Secondary Service Connection:

• REQUIRED: DD 214

• REQUIRED: Diagnosis of a current secondary VA disability you’re attempting to link to the current service connected disability (must be documented in a medical record)

• REQUIRED: Current service connected primary disability (e.g., your current list of service connected disabilities from your VA.gov account)

• REQUIRED: Nexus Letter for a Secondary Condition establishing a connection between the service-connected primary condition and the current disability

• OPTIONAL: Statement in Support of a Claim (write one for each secondary disability condition you’re filing for and explain the VA Claims Insider Golden Circle for each of the 4 elements)

#3. Presumptive VA Claim for Presumptive Service Connection

A VA presumptive disability is one that the VA “presumes” to be service connected, even if there’s no specific Nexus (meaning “link” or “connection”) for service connection.

It is generally easier to prove presumptive service connection, assuming you qualify.

Presumptive disability works like this: If you served at X location during the qualifying period and developed Y condition as a result, then X + Y = automatic service connection.

Instead of having to prove a service-connected disability, you only need to show on your DD 214 that you were in an eligible location during a specific period and that you developed a qualifying condition as a result.

38 CFR § 3.309 discusses diseases subject to presumptive service-connection in more detail.

Pro Tip: While you are not required to provide a “Nexus” to establish presumptive service connection, it’s highly recommended that you at least write a personal statement as to WHY you think your disability meets the legal requirements for presumptive service connection. You might want to obtain a medical nexus letter as well.

Evidence Requirements for Presumptive Service Connection:

• REQUIRED: DD 214 with evidence of qualifying service during the qualifying period

• REQUIRED: Diagnosis of a current presumptive disability in a medical record (service treatment records, VA medical records, or private medical records)

• OPTIONAL: Statement in Support of a Claim (write one for each presumptive disability condition you’re filing for and explain the VA Claims Insider Golden Circle for each of the 4 elements)

• OPTIONAL: Buddy Letter (if you’re trying to prove you served at a specific location during the qualifying period, exposure to x, y, and z, and it’s not already documented on your DD 214 and/or service treatment records)

#4. VA Claim for Service Connection by Aggravation

Sometimes a pre-existing condition is worsened by military service.

For example, a veteran may have had flat feet prior to entering service but wearing military boots and prolonged standing worsened his or her flat feet leading to a painful disability called plantar fasciitis, which is eligible for compensation under the law.

Additionally, if a veteran has a service-connected knee condition that aggravates a non-service-connected back condition, they could get service connection for their back based on aggravation—provided they can prove that their condition was worsened beyond its natural progression by military service.

Evidence Requirements for Service Connection by Aggravation:

• REQUIRED: DD 214

• REQUIRED: Diagnosis of a current VA disability you’re attempting to link by aggravation to the current service connected disability (must be documented in a medical record)

• REQUIRED: Current service connected primary disability (e.g., your current list of service connected disabilities from your VA.gov account)

• REQUIRED: Nexus Letter for a Secondary Condition via Aggravation establishing a connection and a worsening beyond its natural progression between the service-connected primary condition and the current disability

• OPTIONAL: Statement in Support of a Claim (write one for each secondary disability condition by aggravation you’re filing for and explain the VA Claims Insider Golden Circle for each of the 4 elements)

#5. VA Claim for Service Connection by 38 U.S.C 1151

This refers to disabilities or death that result from “hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination” by a VA medical professional or facility, or due to participation in a program of vocational rehabilitation.

In our experience, this is uncommon.

Pro Tip: Evidence requirements vary depending on the unique circumstances of the case.

Veterans: Do You Want to WIN Your VA Disability Claim FASTER?

Need expert-level VA claim help? Call us right now: (281) 533–6777.

Hi fellow veterans, I’m Brian Reese, the VA Claims Insider, and I’m here to help you INCREASE your VA rating FASTER — even if you’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start…

If you’re frustrated, underrated, or simply sick and tired of fighting the VA alone, we’ve got your six!

Know this: There’s always another path available to you, regardless of past VA claim denials, and we’re committed to helping you achieve VA claim victory.

Our process starts with a one-on-one phone call so we can get to know your unique claim situation.

We’ll identify where you stand now, where you want to go, and how we can make it happen with the right medical evidence.

If we nail your VA claim strategy, the tactics become simple and easy!

Through this gap analysis process, we’ll build a personalized VA claim strategy tailored to your needs — designed to give you the best possible chance of securing the VA rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country.

>> Click Here to book your no-obligation consultation or call us right now at (281) 533–6777.

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Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Help? WE GOT YOUR SIX!

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• Work directly with a VA claims coach who can help lead you to VA claim victory.

• 25,000+ disabled veterans served in our membership programs since 2016.

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