Where are you in the process?
Four situations, four different next moves.
VetOps helps you organize your file — it doesn't file the claim for you, provide legal representation, or promise results.
VA has not decided this condition yet
An intent to file tells VA you plan to apply and can establish a potential benefit start date (effective date). You then have 1 year to complete and file the claim; it does not guarantee approval or back pay. Review the online options or VA Form 21-0966.
Gather evidence of your current disability, service history, and any required link between them. For some conditions and service histories, VA assumes the link to service. VA calls this “presumptive.” Check the listed condition, location, and dates against your medical and service records. Check VA's evidence requirements and Form 21-526EZ.
Open my first-claim checklist
Your condition got worse, or another condition developed
Ask for an increase if a condition VA already recognizes as linked to service has gotten worse. A secondary claim is for another condition caused or worsened by one already linked to service. For either, describe what has changed and gather current records. A secondary claim usually needs medical evidence explaining the link. A tool listing two conditions together does not establish a medical link between them.
Review VA's evidence requirements before using Form 21-526EZ. If you are concerned VA may lower a rating, ask an accredited representative to check your records and explain that risk before filing.
Prepare for a rating increase
Prepare a new secondary claim
You got a decision letter
Check your decision letter and review rights. For many disability decisions, Higher-Level Review (20-0996) or a Board Appeal for a judge’s review (10182) generally must be requested within 1 year. HLR asks a more senior reviewer to check evidence VA already had and does not accept new evidence. An intent to file does not extend those review deadlines. Contested claims and Court appeals have different deadlines.
A Supplemental Claim (20-0995) uses new and relevant evidence—information VA has not considered that helps prove or disprove a point—or a qualifying change in law. A Supplemental Claim may still be available after 1 year, but later filing can affect the benefit start date (effective date). Read VA's deadline guidance and confirm your route with an accredited representative.
Find my next review step
Decision-letter questions connects disputed points in your letter with draft scenario guides. Start with denied or under-rated: what next to compare evidence and review paths.
Gather records and statements
Statements are evidence too: your own account on Form 21-4138, witnesses on 21-10210 (buddy or lay statements: what another person saw), and 21-4142 to authorize VA to request private medical records. Describe what you saw or experienced. For example, a witness can explain the tasks they helped with; a clinician explains a medical diagnosis or link. Use the evidence checklist to find what is missing. VA may still request additional evidence or an exam.
Run the evidence checklist
