Veterans Disability benefits may be claimed by any veteran with

service-connected physical and/or psychological medical conditions. 

Family members of veterans may also qualify for certain benefits.

 

 

 

 

The VA Claims Process

File a claim with your VA Regional Office

Include information that is helpful to your claim

How to file a disability claim

WAIT to hear from the VA Regional Office 

    about: C& P Exams 

                 & additional documents they want from you

    meanwhile,

                continue to submit all new helpful information 

WAIT to receive a Rating Decision 

REVIEW THE RATING DECISION CAREFULLY!

Do you agree

with everything it says?

Great!

What to look for in a Rating Decision

Do you disagree with ANYTHING

in the Rating Decision?

WAIT to hear from the VA Regional Office 

    about: more C& P Exams 

                 & more documents they want from you

    about:  a Hearing date, if you asked for a DRO Review

    meanwhile,

                continue to submit all new helpful information 

You MUST file

a

NOTICE of DISAGREEMENT

  before the deadline

     to appeal expires

More about NODs

WAIT to receive a

Statement of the Case 

(& sometimes a Rating Decision)

REVIEW THE

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

CAREFULLY

 

REVIEW THE

RATING DECISION

CAREFULLY!

You MUST file

a

Form VA9

  before the deadline

     to appeal expires

You

WON'T agree

with the SOC

You MUST file

a

NOTICE of DISAGREEMENT

  before the deadline

     to appeal expires

WAIT for a

Hearing

at the

Board of Veterans' Appeals

WAIT for a

BVA Decision

If the BVA REMANDS any part of your claim

WAIT

for the VARO to process the Remand

If the BVA GRANTS any part of your claim

WAIT

for the VARO to issue a Rating Decision

If the BVA DENIES any part of your claim

APPEAL

to the

U S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

REVIEW THE

RATING DECISION CAREFULLY!

You MUST file

a

NOTICE of DISAGREEMENT

  before the deadline

     to appeal expires

If CAVC

denies your appeal, 

APPEAL

to the

U S District Courts

The VA claims process is long and complicated.  One mistake can mean years of lost benefits

and additional years of waiting for a decision. 

 

 

A lawyer certified to practice before the VA

could help you get a faster, better result.

 

 

There are no up-front costs to hiring a lawyer at the administrative level. 

There is no legal fee until benefits are awarded.