VA Disability Claims FAQ

A VA disability claim is your formal request for compensation for injuries or conditions connected to your military service. You're essentially asking the VA to acknowledge that your time in service caused or worsened a health issue—and to compensate you for it.

The process involves gathering evidence, submitting your claim, attending a C&P exam if needed, and waiting for a rating decision. It can feel like a lot, but thousands of vets navigate it successfully every year. Start Here breaks down your first steps.

You can file entirely online at VA.gov—most veterans never step foot in a regional office. Online filing is typically faster and gives you instant confirmation that VA received your claim.

If you prefer in-person help, you can work with a VSO (Veterans Service Organization) at your local VA office. Either way, our pathfinder helps you figure out which approach fits your situation.

After you submit, the VA sends a confirmation and your claim enters the pipeline: evidence gathering, review by a rater, and (often) a C&P exam. You can track your status at VA.gov.

If VA needs more information, they'll send a letter or call you—don't ignore these requests. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your potential rating while you wait.

Straightforward claims typically take 107-125 days (roughly 4 months). Claims with multiple conditions, appeals, or complex C&P exams often stretch to 5-6 months or longer.

Filing an Intent to File (ITF) locks in your effective date while you gather evidence—this protects your back pay if your claim takes time. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your potential monthly payment.

Direct claim: Links your condition straight to an event, injury, or exposure during service (e.g., you hurt your back during deployment).

Secondary claim: Links a new condition to one that's already service-connected (e.g., your service-connected back injury caused hip problems over time).

Both require strong evidence. Our claim playbooks cover strategies and checklists for each approach, and the Secondary Conditions Finder shows common pairings.

If approved with a 10% or higher combined rating, your first payment typically arrives within 15 days of your decision letter. This payment often includes back pay from your effective date—usually the date VA received your Intent to File or claim.

Check the VA pay schedule to see exactly when deposits hit each month.

No—VA disability compensation is completely tax-free at both federal and state levels. You don't need to report it as income on your tax return. If VA disability is your only income, you likely won't need to file a federal return at all.

This includes disability compensation, pension payments, and grants for home/vehicle modifications. Military retirement pay, however, is taxable—don't confuse the two. See IRS Publication 525 for details.

Yes—for schedular ratings (0-100%), you can work as much as you want with no income limits. Your VA disability pay won't be reduced regardless of how much you earn from employment.

The exception is TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability). If you receive TDIU, you must stay below the federal poverty threshold ($15,650 in 2025) or work in a "protected environment" with special accommodations. See the TDIU playbook for details on income rules.

Currently, the VA averages 81-125 days for initial disability claims—roughly 3-4 months. Complex claims with multiple conditions, required C&P exams, or evidence development can take 5-6 months or longer.

Filing an Intent to File (ITF) protects your effective date while you gather evidence, so don't wait until everything is perfect. Check claim status anytime at VA.gov.

Your effective date is when your disability compensation starts—and back pay is calculated from this date. Generally, it's the later of: (1) the date VA received your claim/Intent to File, or (2) the date medical evidence shows entitlement arose.

If you file within one year of separation, your effective date can be the day after discharge. For increases, the effective date is when evidence shows the worsening—but only if you file within one year. Learn more at VA.gov.

Back pay covers the gap between your effective date and approval date. The VA multiplies your monthly compensation rate by the number of months between those dates, then pays it as a lump sum—usually within 15-45 days of approval.

Payments start the first of the month after your effective date. So if your effective date is October 15, back pay starts November 1. Filing an Intent to File early protects this date while you build your claim.

Yes—skipping a C&P (Compensation & Pension) exam almost always results in a denial. The exam is how VA verifies your current condition and severity. No exam often means no rating.

If you have a legitimate conflict, call the number on your appointment letter immediately to reschedule. Just don't ghost it. C&P Exams Demystified covers what to expect and how to prepare.

Unfortunately, some examiners rush or don't listen—it happens. If you feel the exam was unfair or inaccurate, document your concerns in writing immediately after. You can file a complaint with the exam contractor and, more importantly, submit a rebuttal lay statement addressing any errors.

Our C&P exam guide explains how to challenge a bad exam. You can also ask for help on r/VAClaimHelp.

Recording is only allowed with the examiner's permission—and most exam sites don't allow it. You can ask, but don't count on it.

Better strategy: bring a notepad and jot down key details immediately after. Note what questions were asked, how long the exam lasted, and anything that felt rushed or off. This gives you documentation if you need to dispute the findings later.

Bring your government-issued ID, any relevant medical records the examiner might not have, and a list of your symptoms and limitations. Don't rely on your memory—stress makes you forget.

If you keep a symptom journal or have buddy letters, bring copies. Some vets also bring a written summary of their worst days so they don't downplay symptoms. C&P Exams Demystified has a full prep checklist.

Missing your C&P exam can derail your entire claim. The VA may deny your claim for failure to report. If you have a legitimate reason—emergency, illness, work conflict—call the number on your appointment letter immediately to explain and reschedule.

Keep documentation of any emergency (hospital records, police report, etc.). The sooner you act, the better your chances of rescheduling without penalty.

Yes—medical records are essential. If it's not documented, the VA often acts like it never happened. Your service treatment records, private doctor notes, and diagnostic tests all strengthen your case.

Don't assume the VA will find everything. Gather your own copies and submit them with your claim. Our evidence checklist templates help you organize what to include.

A lay statement (also called a personal statement or buddy letter) is a written account describing how your condition affects your daily life. It fills in the gaps that medical records can't capture—like how your back pain keeps you from playing with your kids or how your anxiety affects your job.

Every strong claim includes at least one lay statement. Lay Statements That Win walks you through exactly how to write one that raters take seriously.

You should write your own statement about your symptoms and limitations. But statements from others who witness your struggles carry real weight too—your spouse, adult children, coworkers, fellow service members, or friends who see how your condition affects you.

Their perspective adds credibility. A buddy letter from someone who served with you can also help establish what happened during service. Learn how to request one in our buddy letter guide.

Specifics win claims. Describe your symptoms in concrete terms: how often they occur, what triggers them, and exactly how they limit your daily activities. Vague statements like "my back hurts" get ignored—but "I can't stand longer than 10 minutes without needing to sit down" paints a clear picture.

Connect your symptoms to your service when possible. Lay Statements That Win includes fill-in templates that help you hit the right details.

At minimum, you need three things: (1) evidence of an in-service event, injury, or exposure; (2) a current medical diagnosis; and (3) a nexus—a link connecting the two. A doctor's opinion stating your current condition is "at least as likely as not" related to service is the gold standard.

Our evidence checklist templates help you organize your packet before filing. For a deeper dive, VA Claims Explained covers what raters look for and how to build a solid case.

VA math doesn't work like regular math. Instead of adding percentages, the VA uses the "whole person" theory—each rating applies to what's left of your "able body." So 50% + 50% doesn't equal 100%; it equals 75% (50% of the remaining 50% = 25%, plus the original 50%).

Confusing? Use our VA disability calculator to see exactly how your ratings combine and what your final combined rating would be.

There are two main paths: (1) A single condition rated at 100% schedular, or (2) multiple conditions that combine to a rounded 100% (you need a 94.5%+ combined value). You can also qualify for TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) if your conditions prevent you from working, even if your combined rating is lower.

Focus on documenting every legitimate service-connected condition with strong evidence. Our calculator shows what combination of ratings gets you there, and our Field Manuals cover evidence strategies.

Yes—you have several options. A Supplemental Claim lets you submit new evidence. A Higher-Level Review asks a senior rater to re-examine your claim without new evidence. A Board Appeal takes your case to a Veterans Law Judge.

Don't accept a rating you believe is wrong. Building a Bulletproof Supplemental Claim walks you through the process step by step. The r/VAClaimHelp community can also help you strategize.

VA math uses the "whole person" theory instead of simple addition. Each rating applies to the remaining "healthy" percentage of your body. Example: 50% + 30% doesn't equal 80%—it equals 65% (50% + 30% of remaining 50% = 50% + 15% = 65%).

The VA combines ratings from highest to lowest, then rounds to the nearest 10%. This prevents combined ratings from exceeding 100%. Use our VA disability calculator to see exactly how your ratings combine.

Individual eBooks are priced at 99 cents to $9.99—less than a cup of coffee. All books are also included free with Kindle Unlimited if you have a subscription.

There are no upsells, no subscriptions, no hidden costs. Browse all available titles on the Field Manuals page.

A little—but not much. The eBooks generate a small amount, and there are affiliate links to Amazon. That said, I'm not getting rich here. The site exists because I genuinely want to help veterans navigate a confusing system.

If the free resources help you, great. If an eBook saves you months of frustration, even better.

Yes—I update the manuals whenever VA regulations, forms, or procedures change. Amazon automatically delivers updates to your Kindle library, so you always have the latest version.

If you spot something outdated, let me know and I'll fix it. You can also sign up for email updates to get notified when major changes drop.

No—thousands of veterans successfully file claims on their own. That said, a good VSO (Veterans Service Organization) can be helpful, especially if you're overwhelmed or have a complex case. They're free and accredited by the VA.

Whether you go solo or use a VSO, the key is understanding the process and building strong evidence. Start Here helps you figure out the best approach for your situation.

No—this is veteran-to-veteran guidance based on real-world experience, not legal counsel. I'm not a lawyer, and nothing here should replace professional legal advice for your specific situation.

Use your own judgment, and if you're unsure about something, ask in r/VAClaimHelp or consult an accredited attorney or claims agent.

I'm a veteran who's been through the VA claims process myself—multiple times. I'm not a lawyer, not a VSO, and not affiliated with the VA. Everything here comes from personal experience, research, and helping other vets navigate the system.

My goal is to save you time and frustration by sharing what actually works. Learn more on the About page.