How to Apply for VA Disability Benefits and What Really Happens Next

VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans whose current disabilities are connected to their military service. In real life, getting these benefits means dealing mainly with VA Regional Offices and the VA’s online claims portal, plus often getting help from accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSOs).

Quick summary: How VA disability typically works

  • Who handles it: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, mainly through VA Regional Offices and the VA claims portal
  • Basic rule: You need a current disability, a link to your service, and evidence showing that link
  • Starting point today:Create or log in to your VA online account and start a disability application (called a “claim”)
  • Key documents:DD214, medical records, and supporting statements
  • What happens next: VA gathers records, may send you to a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, then issues a rating decision by mail and in your online account
  • Common snag: Delays because VA can’t find or confirm medical or service records; you may need to submit copies or alternate proof

1. Who actually runs VA disability benefits and whether you might qualify

VA disability benefits are handled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) through VA Regional Offices and the official VA online claims portal. You cannot apply through private websites or third-party “consultants” and still be sure you’re in the official system.

You may qualify if you:

  • Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and
  • Have a current physical or mental health condition, and
  • Can show it was caused or worsened by your military service (or is secondary to another service-connected condition).

Rules, required forms, and timelines can vary depending on when you served, type of discharge, and where you live, so it’s common to confirm details with a local VA Regional Office or an accredited Veteran Service Organization.

Key terms to know:

  • Service-connected disability — A health condition that VA agrees is linked to your military service.
  • Disability rating — A percentage (0–100%) that VA assigns to each condition, which helps determine your monthly payment.
  • C&P exam (Compensation & Pension exam) — A medical exam scheduled by VA to evaluate how severe your condition is and whether it’s related to service.
  • Effective date — The date VA uses to start your benefit, usually the date they receive your claim or the date you sign an intent to file.

2. Where to go officially and how to start today

The main official touchpoints for VA disability benefits are:

  • VA online claims portal (va.gov site) — Where you can file a claim, upload evidence, and check status.
  • VA Regional Office — Handles your claim review, rating decisions, and some in-person assistance.
  • Accredited VSOs (such as DAV, VFW, American Legion, state veterans agencies) — Not VA itself, but officially recognized to help you file for free.

Concrete action you can take today:

  1. Search for the official VA disability claims portal (look for a site ending in .gov), create or log in to your VA account, and click on “File a disability compensation claim” or similar wording.
  2. If you prefer in-person help, search for your local “VA Regional Office” or “veteran service officer” on your state’s official veterans agency site (again, look for .gov).

If you’re unsure what to say when you call, you can start with:
“I’m a veteran and I want to start a VA disability claim. Can you tell me what I need to do and how to submit my application?”

Never pay companies that promise “guaranteed rating increases” or ask for a portion of your back pay; benefit decisions are only made by VA, and legitimate help is typically free or low-cost through accredited representatives.

3. What you need to prepare before you file

You can submit a claim without every scrap of evidence, but having key records ready usually speeds things up and reduces back-and-forth with VA.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • DD214 or equivalent separation documents (or Guard/Reserve discharge or points statements).
  • Medical records showing diagnosis and treatment — from VA facilities and private doctors, including mental health providers.
  • Supporting evidence — such as service treatment records, Line of Duty (LOD) reports, buddy statements, or incident reports tying your condition to service.

Additional items that often help in real life:

  • List of current conditions you want to claim (e.g., “left knee pain,” “PTSD,” “migraine headaches”), with approximate dates they began or worsened.
  • Names and addresses of all treatment providers, VA and non-VA, so VA knows where to request records.
  • Employment history if you’re considering a claim for individual unemployability (TDIU), which is for veterans who can’t work substantially due to service-connected conditions.

If you don’t have your DD214 or service medical records, you can still start the claim; VA will typically try to request records from the National Personnel Records Center or other official repositories, but this often extends the processing time.

4. Step-by-step: Filing a VA disability claim and what to expect next

Step 1: Start an “intent to file” (optional but often useful)

  1. Log in to the official VA claims portal or call the VA benefits phone line listed on the main VA .gov site and tell them you want to file an intent to file for disability compensation.
  2. This typically locks in a potential effective date while you gather evidence, as long as you submit your full claim within the allowed timeframe (often 1 year).

What to expect next: You’ll receive confirmation (online and/or by mail) that your intent to file was received, but no decision yet — this just preserves your start date.

Step 2: Complete the disability claim application

  1. Fill out the disability application online (usually VA Form 21-526EZ) through the VA portal, or complete a paper form and mail it to the address listed on the official VA site, or submit in person at a VA Regional Office.
  2. Clearly list each condition you’re claiming and, if possible, how it’s related to service (e.g., “back injury from training accident in 2008, Fort X”).

What to expect next: After submission, you should see a claim received status in your online account or receive a mailed acknowledgment; VA may send you letters asking for more information or forms.

Step 3: Upload or send supporting evidence

  1. Upload copies of your key documents through the claims portal or mail/fax them using the instructions on VA’s letters (never send original documents you cannot replace).
  2. If you have private medical providers, complete the authorization forms VA provides so they can request your records, or request the records yourself and upload them.

What to expect next: VA typically starts a phase called “evidence gathering”, where they collect service records, private medical records, and anything you submit; the online portal often shows status updates like “Evidence gathering, review, and decision.”

Step 4: Attend any C&P exams that VA schedules

  1. VA or a contracted clinic will usually send you a letter, email, or phone call to schedule a Compensation & Pension exam to evaluate your condition.
  2. Go to every scheduled exam or quickly call the number in the appointment letter if you need to reschedule; missing exams can seriously delay or harm your claim.

What to expect next: After the exam, the examiner submits a report to VA; you don’t usually see it immediately, but it becomes part of the evidence VA uses to make a decision.

Step 5: Wait for the rating decision and review it carefully

  1. Once evidence gathering is done, your claim moves into review and decision; eventually VA will issue a rating decision and a cover letter (decision notice).
  2. You can usually view the decision in your VA online account, and you’ll also receive the official packet by mail, showing each condition, the rating percentage, and reasons for approval or denial.

What to expect next: If you’re granted benefits, VA typically sets up direct deposit or mails checks; if you disagree with any part of the decision, there are appeal options (supplemental claim, higher-level review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals), each with its own forms and deadlines listed in your decision letter.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common delay happens when VA cannot easily locate your service treatment records or private medical records; your claim may sit in the “evidence gathering” phase for months while requests go back and forth. If you see long delays, it often helps to upload your own copies of medical records or ask your providers directly for documentation and submit it yourself. Keeping copies of everything you send and noting dates of calls or uploads can make it easier to respond quickly when VA asks for more information.

6. Legitimate help and what to do if you get stuck

If you’re stuck, overwhelmed by forms, or unsure what evidence you need, there are official and accredited helpers you can turn to:

  • VA Regional Office public contact teams — Staff can explain forms, status messages, and next steps; search online for your closest “VA Regional Office” and use the contact number listed on the .gov site.
  • Accredited Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) — Groups like DAV, VFW, American Legion, and state veterans agencies have trained reps who will typically prepare and submit your claim for free, track your case, and help with appeals.
  • County or state veterans service offices — Many states and counties run their own veterans offices (look for [your state].gov and “veterans services”) that can meet in person, review your decision letters, and help gather missing documents.

When asking for help, bring or upload your DD214, any VA decision letters you already have, and a list of conditions and treatment providers, so they can quickly see what’s missing. Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue, asks for your full Social Security number by phone or text, or wants a cut of your benefits — always confirm you’re dealing with a .gov site or an accredited representative listed through VA before sharing information.

Once you have your documents together and know which conditions you’re claiming, your next concrete move is to file your intent to file or full claim through the official VA portal or with an accredited VSO, then monitor your claim status through your VA online account or by calling the number listed on your decision letters.