VA Disability Claims Procedures
If you are a disabled veteran, you might be eligible to receive disability compensation or a disability pension from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA disability compensation is for veterans who got their disabilities while they were in the military, whereas a VA disability pension is for veterans who have a low income and are permanently and totally disabled, but not due to their own willful conduct. Before you can receive VA disability benefits, you must go through the VA disability claims procedure, which can be lengthy.
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Filing a Claim
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You must complete VA form 21-526, the Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension, and mail it in to your local VA office. Alternatively, you can visit your local VA office and have a VA representative file it for you online through his computer or you can file it yourself online through VA's VONAPP online filing service. Attach copies of your DD214 separation papers, medical records documenting treatment for your disabilities, your marriage license, any divorce decrees and any dependents' birth certificates to your application.
Pending Claims
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Once the VA receives and processes your claim, it becomes known as "pending," which means that the VA is in the process of evaluating your claim and making a decision based upon the information you provided. You will receive a letter from the VA notifying you that the have received your claim request. Then you will not receive any more correspondence from the VA unless it needs further information from you or needs to send you to a VA facility to have your disabilities evaluated by a VA doctor for its records. It is not uncommon for the VA to take six months or longer to make a decision regarding your claim.
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Checking the Status of a Claim
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If you want to know what stage your claim is in, you can check the status of your claim a couple of ways. You can call the VA's toll free hotline at 1-800-827-1000. You will need to provide your Social Security number as well as your zip code to prove your identity. You can also visit your local VA office and ask a VA representative to access your claims file on its online system where a VA representative can see the status of it. You will need to show the representative your VA military ID as proof of identification.
Decision Letter
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After the VA has made a decision regarding your claim, you will be sent either an award letter or a rejection letter. If you receive a rejection letter, instructions on how you can appeal the VA's decision will be included with the letter. If you receive an award letter, the disability percentage rating that the VA assigned your disability will be listed in the letter; the disability percentage rating determines how much in monthly disability benefits you will receive. You will be paid a lump sum retroactive check your first month dating back to the date that you first filed your claim. Every month thereafter you will be paid the standard amount for your disability rating on the first of the month.
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