VA Claims Guide
Understand the VA Disability Claims Process
Filing a VA disability claim can feel complicated. Between medical records, service documents, disability ratings, C&P exams, evidence requirements, and VA decisions, it isn’t always obvious what your next step should be.
The Vet Uplift VA Claims Guide is designed to make the process easier to understand.
Whether you’re preparing your first disability claim, reviewing an existing VA rating, dealing with a denied claim, or trying to understand what evidence VA may need, you’ll find straightforward information and resources to help you move forward.
For an original disability claim, VA generally looks for evidence of a current disability, an in-service event, injury, or disease, and a connection between the two. Different evidence rules can apply to presumptive, secondary, increased, and other types of claims.
Use the guides below to explore the part of the VA disability process that’s relevant to you.
Explore Our VA Claims Guides
Filing a VA Disability Claim
Preparing to file your first claim?
Learn what information VA may require, how to organize your service and medical records, and the different ways you can submit a disability compensation claim.
VA allows Veterans to file disability claims online, by mail, in person, by fax, or with assistance from an accredited representative.
VA Disability Claim Evidence
Strong documentation helps VA understand your condition and how it relates to your military service.
Depending on the type of claim, useful evidence may include:
Service treatment records
DD214 or separation documents
VA medical records
Private treatment records
Medical test results
Supporting or buddy statements
Medical opinions when applicable
Evidence requirements aren’t identical for every claim. An original claim, increased-rating claim, secondary claim, and presumptive claim may each require different information.
VA Claim Rating Increase
Already receiving VA disability compensation but believe a service-connected condition has worsened?
You may be able to file a claim for an increased disability rating.
For an increased claim, VA generally requires current evidence showing that the service-connected disability has become more severe. That may include medical records, medical opinions, or lay evidence.
Learn how disability increases work, what evidence may be relevant, and what to consider before submitting a request.
VA C&P Exams
After filing your claim, VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension exam, commonly called a C&P exam.
A C&P exam helps VA collect information needed to determine whether a claimed disability is service connected and, when applicable, how severe the disability is.
Not everyone who files a claim will need an exam. VA may instead review existing medical evidence when sufficient information is already available.
Understanding the purpose of the exam can help you know what to expect.
VA Claim Assistance
You don’t have to understand every VA rule by yourself.
Veterans can seek assistance from accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives, accredited claims agents, and VA-accredited attorneys. VA specifically lists these trained professionals as options for getting help with disability claims.
Vet Uplift can also help you locate trusted veteran organizations, official VA resources, benefits information, forms, and other services available in your area.
Understanding Your VA Disability Rating
Your VA disability rating represents VA’s assessment of the severity of your service-connected conditions and affects the amount of disability compensation you may receive.
When multiple disabilities are involved, VA does not simply add individual percentages together, which can make combined ratings difficult to understand.
Use Vet Uplift’s resources to learn more about disability ratings and estimate potential compensation based on your current rating.
What Happens After You File?
After VA receives a disability claim, it moves through several stages that may include initial review, evidence gathering, evidence review, rating, and preparation of a decision.
Evidence gathering is often the longest part of the process. VA may request additional documents, obtain VA records, request private medical records with authorization, or schedule a C&P exam.
You can check the status of qualifying VA claims, decision reviews, and appeals online through VA.gov.
Your Service Deserves a Final “Yes.”
You served your country. Now make sure you understand the evidence and process involved in your VA disability claim. Vet Uplift provides clear educational resources, practical guidance, and tools to help veterans navigate the VA claims process with greater confidence.
Don’t rely on guesswork. Learn the process, organize your evidence, and take your next step with a better understanding of what your VA claim requires.
Explore Vet Uplift today and discover how we can help you better understand your path forward.
Ready to Take Action?
Discover our proven process for maximizing your VA disability benefits.