Consultants for America's Veterans has prepared the following list of resources specifically targeting useful information and guidance regarding VA Disability Claims. While the intention of this list is not to provide legal advice nor to guarantee specific outcomes, it is presented in good faith to assist veterans in finding trustworthy disability claims resources.
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Disability Compensation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs presents a basic overview of disability compensation, including a brief definition of disability compensation, benefit rates description, eligibility, the evidence required, presumed disabilities, and how to apply.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/types-disability.asp
Types of Claims
Many types of claims pertain to disability compensation. Some claims may be based upon preexisting disabilities that were present upon entering military service but were exacerbated during service, disabilities that happened during service, disabilities that became apparent following military service, or other disabilities with special circumstances. This resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides information about each of these varied types of claims.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/types-claims.asp
Benefit Rates
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides multiple resources about compensation. Learn more about V.A. compensation rates, access current rates, determine how rates are calculated, and find out how cost-of-living adjustments are made.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp
Eight-Step Claims Process
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs details the eight distinct steps typically followed in most claims for disability compensation. The time required to complete each of these steps may vary depending upon the amount of evidence that must be gathered to support the claim, the required types of evidence, and other conditions affecting the complexity of the claim.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/process.asp
Evidence Requirements
This resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs delineates the sufficient evidence requirements for the processing of disability claims.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/evidence.asp
How to Apply
Need to know how to apply for VA benefits? This multifaceted resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs details how to apply online, via mail or fax, in person (using the facilities locator for VA regional offices), or when working with an accredited representative. Includes links to pertinent forms.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/apply.asp
VA Forms Search
The Department of Veterans Affairs Forms website provides a searchable database of VA forms which are available in multiple formats. Many forms are in PDF format and can be completed, saved, and edited online; while other forms may be offered as printable blank forms for manual completion.
https://www.va.gov/vaforms/default.asp
How VA Disability Ratings Are Calculated
Combined disability ratings are not added together — the VA uses a formula that produces a lower total than simple addition. This resource explains how ratings are combined, rounded, and how a bilateral factor is applied.
https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/
Tips on How to Obtain VA Benefits
Gain a better chance of accessing VA benefits from the start. U.S. Veterans Magazine shares useful tips in this article to help veterans avoid the aggravation and delay caused by a denial of benefits.
https://www.usveteransmagazine.com/2017/07/10/tips-obtain-va-benefits/
State Departments of Veterans Affairs
Benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities vary by state. This directory from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs lists the state veterans affairs office for every state and territory.
https://www.va.gov/statedva.htm
VA Claims and Appeals Processes
In cases of denial of benefits, partial denial, or insufficient disability compensation, recourse is available through the VA appeals process. Military.com provides this step-by-step guide for filing appeals.
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-legal-matters/va-claims-appeals-process
Compensation Options
This resource from Military.com gives a brief description of compensation options available to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents.
https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-disability-compensation-options.html
VA Claims and Separation Benefits
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers resources to veterans, service members and their families seeking assistance with the claims process. This article presents the VFW Pre-Discharge program which ensures assistance to separating and retiring active-duty military personnel in obtaining their VA benefits and entitlements upon discharge.
https://www.vfw.org/assistance/va-claims-separation-benefits
Get Help Filing Your Initial Claim
A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can assist in filing a claim or appeal. This resource provides information regarding the required credentials of a VSO, what a VSO actually does, potential costs involved in using a VSO, and how to find and utilize the services of a VSO.
https://www.vets.gov/disability-benefits/apply/help/
The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our PACT Act (2022) is the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades. It adds presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances — meaning eligible veterans no longer have to prove the exposure caused the condition.
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/
Toxic Exposure and Presumptive Conditions
The VA maintains the current list of conditions presumed to be service-connected for veterans exposed to hazardous materials, including which service locations and dates qualify.
https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/
Decision Reviews and Appeals
The Appeals Modernization Act replaced the legacy appeals process in 2019 with three decision review options: a Higher-Level Review, a Supplemental Claim, or a Board appeal. Each has different evidence rules and timelines, and choosing the right lane matters.
https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/
Check Your Claim or Appeal Status
Track the status of a pending VA claim, decision review, or appeal online, including which stage it has reached and what evidence the VA has received.
https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
DBQs are the standardised forms the VA uses to capture the medical evidence behind a rating decision. This index lists them by condition and is useful when preparing evidence with a treating physician.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/dbq_ListBySymptom.asp
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Veterans, reservists, and guardsmen stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may qualify for disability compensation and health care for conditions linked to contaminated drinking water.
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
VR&E supports veterans with service-connected disabilities in preparing for, finding, and keeping suitable employment, or in achieving independent living.
https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/
Specially Adapted Housing Grants
Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities may qualify for SAH or SHA grants to buy, build, or modify a home for accessible living.
https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/
Caregiver Support
The VA Caregiver Support Program provides training, respite care, counselling, and in some cases a monthly stipend to family members caring for a veteran with a service-connected disability.
Benefits for Surviving Spouses and Dependants
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit for eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members and veterans who died from a service-connected condition.
https://www.va.gov/disability/survivor-dic-rates/
Women Veterans Health Care
The VA Office of Women's Health provides information on health services, benefits, and programmes specific to women veterans, including care related to military sexual trauma.
https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/
Where to Send Your Written Correspondence
The time it takes your response to reach the VA affects how long it takes them to process your claim. The fastest method for the VA to receive your documentation is to electronically upload them rather than mailing them. Uploading your documents will save you time as well as money on the postage required to mail it to them.
To upload your documents visit https://www.va.gov and under Disability click “Upload evidence to support your claim.”
If you need to fax or mail your documents, you can send them to the corresponding address or fax number below:
Fax
| Compensation Claims
1-844-531-7818
|
Pension & Survivors Benefit Claims
1-844-655-1604
|
| Board of Veterans’ Appeals
1-844-678-8979 |
Fiduciary
1-888-581-6826 |
Mailing Address
| Compensation Claims
Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation Intake Center P.O. Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444
|
Pension & Survivors Benefit Claims
Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center P.O. Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365
|
| Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Veterans’ Appeals P.O. Box 27063 Washington, DC 20038 |
Fiduciary
Department of Veterans Affairs Fiduciary Intake Center P.O. Box 5211 Janesville, WI 53547-5211 |
To contact the Fiduciary Hub by email, locate the appropriate fiduciary hub address below.
Columbia Fiduciary Hub (Option 1): FL, GA, NC, SC
Indianapolis Fiduciary Hub (Option 2): CT, DE, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI
Lincoln Fiduciary Hub (Option 3): KS, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX
Louisville Fiduciary Hub (Option 4): AL, KY, MS, PR, TN, VA, WV
Milwaukee Fiduciary Hub (Option 5): AR, IA, IL, LA, MN, MO, WI
Salt Lake City Fiduciary Hub (Option 6): AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
NVF Disability Compensation
This resource from the National Veterans Foundation (NVF) gives an overview of disability compensation, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. The NVF also provides resources in helping veterans find a Veterans Service Officer to aid in the process.
https://nvf.org/veteran-disability-compensation/
Challenging Your Discharge Status
This resource from StatesideLegal.org includes a description of the discharge review regulations for each military branch, how to request a review, and the steps of the review process.
http://statesidelegal.org/review-discharge-service
Veterans Benefits Explained
The Military Times 2018 Benefits Guide for service members, veterans, and spouses presents the latest updates on military pay, retirement, education, and other resources.
https://hub.militarytimes.com/ebooks/4-30-2018-benefits-guide-2018/
Military.com provides this summary of veterans benefits, including major veterans benefits programs, documents, eligibility, and the application process.
https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/veterans-benefits-explained.html
DoD answers top 10 questions on expanded commissary, exchange, MWR access
Many Veterans now have access to commissary, military service exchange and MWR as of January 1, 2020. The Department of Defense has established a standard for physical access to military installations. Follow this link to the top 10 questions about the new expanded access to many Veterans. https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/70068/dod-answers-top-10-questions-expanded-commissary-exchange-mwr-access/
No Veteran Should Be Without a Place to Call Home
Free Help for Homeless Veterans Dial 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) for 24/7 access VA’s services for homeless and at-risk Veterans
VA Homeless Veterans programmes and support Confidential, 24/7 online support for homeless Veterans and friends https://www.va.gov/homeless
Military Branch Newspapers
Army Times
This 2016 Army Times report details future VA budget plans as well as efforts to improve wait times, the disability claims backlog, and the lack of basic VA services. https://www.armytimes.com/veterans/2016/05/19/house-senate-pass-va-budget-plans-for-next-year/
Air Force Times
This article from Air Force Times discusses how nearly 60,000 veterans in 2014 drew military retirement pay plus veterans and Social Security disability benefits at the same time, according to a congressional auditors report.
Marine Corps Times
These resources are presented by the Integrated Disability Evaluation System from Wounded Warrior Marine Regiment:
Navy Times
This 2017 article from Navy Times details a new disability claims process from the Department of Veterans Affairs that will significantly decrease decision wait times to thirty days or less.
United States Coast Guard News
U.S. Coast Guard veterans who have served full-time are eligible for VA benefits including disability compensation. This 2017 article is one of a two-part series detailing how VA disability resources specifically apply to U.S. Coast Guard veterans.
https://americanveteransaid.com/newblog/coast-guard-veterans-benefits-part-1/
http://www.cfevr.org/coast-guard-active-duty-and-va-disability-benefits/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration News
This article from NOAA details the organization’s departmental policy, guidance, and training on disability issues. http://www.eeo.noaa.gov/special_emphasis_programs/disability_program/
NOAA Disability Claim Form: http://www.seco.noaa.gov/training/testing/story_content/external_files/sf_95_claim%20for%20damage,%20injury%20or%20death.pdf
Public Health Service Website
The Public Health Service (USPHS) website, part of the broader spectrum of veteran and military resources, offers insights into the roles, priorities, and career paths within the USPHS Commissioned Corps. This site is a valuable resource for veterans and military families interested in public health, providing information on how the Corps contributes to fighting diseases, conducting research, and improving health in underserved communities. It's an essential link in understanding the broader scope of health services and opportunities available to those who have served or are serving in the military.