Starter guide
How VA disability claims work
The basic path from claim to decision.
VA disability compensation is a monthly, tax free payment for veterans who got sick or injured while serving, or whose existing conditions got worse because of service. VA also covers some conditions that appear after service.
The general path
Most claims follow a similar path: a claim is submitted, VA gathers evidence, VA may schedule an exam, VA reviews the evidence, and VA sends a decision letter. You can track a claim on VA.gov.
Who can help with a claim
For help preparing or filing a claim, VA recommends working with an accredited representative. Many Veterans Service Organizations offer this help for free.
Source: official VA information. Rules change; always confirm on VA.gov. This guide is general education, not advice about your claim.
Plain and simple. Veticare provides free general education about the VA disability claims process. Veticare is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veticare is not a VA accredited representative and does not prepare, present, file, or prosecute VA claims, and does not charge for help with VA claims. Free help from VA accredited representatives, including Veterans Service Organizations, is available at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.