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calculate Ratings Info menu_book Knowledge Base gavel 38 CFR Part 4alt_route Step 1: Select Claim Type
Fast track. You submit ALL evidence upfront. No waiting for VA to find records.
Traditional track. VA uses "Duty to Assist" to gather records. Slower.
The 5 Elements of a Claim
* Disclaimer: Even if you have all 5 of these elements, it is not a guarantee you will win your claim.
Intent to File (ITF)
Enter the date VA received your ITF.
Days Remaining
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No ITF date set.
ITF expires at the end of day 365.
Need help with your claim?
Please consider working with a VA accredited representative. They do not need to be local to you.
Find an Accredited Representative open_in_newWorkflow Visualization Board
File Form 21-526EZ
Select "Fully Developed Claim".
Simultaneous Evidence Submission
Upload private medical records, DBQs, service records, lay statements and any other relevant evidence immediately with the application.
C&P Exam (Expedited)
Examiner reviews your provided DBQs. If sufficient, they may just confirm findings. If insufficient, a full exam is conducted.
Rating Decision
Narrative summary generated. Faster turnaround time. Should be faster compared to a Standard claim.
Click the link below to see the current average time the VA is completing claims
VA Claim Status Page open_in_newcalculate Rating Calculator
Disabilities: (0)calendar_month Payment Timeline
First Payment Arrives
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The VA pays 1 month in arrears. If the 1st of the month is a weekend or holiday, payment will be on the most recent weekday prior to the holiday or weekend.
Dependents
lightbulb Did You Know?
Even if you are 55 or older, there are some conditions that are required by law to be re-evaluated.
Combined Rating
0%
Are you Permanent & Total (P&T)?
This app cannot determine if you are P&T due to not being able to access your ratings code sheet. To find out:
- Go to VA.gov
- Click on VA Benefits and Health Care
- Select Records
- Click Download your VA benefits letters
- Click Get your VA benefits letters
- Click the + button for Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter
- Click the blue Download Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter (PDF)
Open the PDF and look for: "You are considered to be totally and permanently disabled due solely to your service-connected disabilities:" — if it says Yes, you are P&T.
Est. Monthly Pay (2026)
$0.00
lightbulb Did You Know?
In most cases, back pay is calculated from your Intent to File date or the date you filed your claim. The VA can also calculate back pay from the date of diagnosis when evidence supports it (see 38 CFR § 3.400 on effective dates).
Select Denial Reason
lightbulb Did You Know?
What does Favorable Findings mean?
Favorable Findings are specific facts and/or elements of your claim that the VA officially agrees are proven or credible, even if your claim has been denied.
Select a Denial Reason
Review the logic VA raters use to deny claims and the specific M21-1 references needed to challenge them.
Avg Days to Complete
81.1
November 2025
Supplemental Claims
64.5
Days Average
Pending Claims
581K
Total Inventory
Backlog (125+ days)
111K
↓ 57% since Jan 2025
trending_up FY 2025 Record Milestones
- emoji_events 3,001,734 claims processed in FY 2025 (all-time record)
- calendar_today May 29, 2025: Best single day ever — 15,364 claims
- date_range July 2025: Best month ever — 300,799 claims
verified Claims Accuracy
FY 2024-2025 Approval Rates
PACT Act vs. Standard Claims
PACT Act Approval Rate
74.9%
Non-PACT Approval Rate
~60.4%
Initial Denial Rate
~35%
Trend Analysis
Since the implementation of the PACT Act in 2022, claims related to toxic exposure (burn pits, Agent Orange) have seen a ~15-20% higher grant rate than standard musculoskeletal claims. This is largely due to the removal of the "Nexus" requirement for presumptive conditions. Veterans filing PACT Act claims should take advantage of this higher approval rate.
90% of veterans choose Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Reviews. Only 10% go to Board Appeals.
Supplemental Claim
Higher-Level Review
Board Appeal (BVA)
Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) Docket Breakdown
Direct Review
12-18 months • 34% approval
No new evidence, no hearing
Evidence Submission
18-24 months • 41% approval
New evidence, no hearing
Hearing Request
24+ months • 41% approval
New evidence + VLJ hearing
As of 2024, approximately 5.99 million veterans receive disability compensation for an average of 6.95 conditions each.
Distribution of service-connected disabilities by body system (2024)
80%
Top 5 Systems
Note: Mental health conditions like PTSD often have higher individual ratings (70-100%) despite being a smaller percentage of total conditions claimed.
Data sourced from VA.gov, VBA Monday Morning Workload Reports, and VBA Annual Benefits Reports
Claims processing data as of November 2025 • Top conditions data as of FY 2024
Statement Wizard (21-4138)
SECTION I: EVENT/INJURY/DIAGNOSIS
Section II: Current Symptoms
Section III: Impact
You can edit the generated statement directly below, even if you skipped the wizard.
Generated Text
Proofread Checklist
Click "Proofread" to check for missing details.
Evidence Gathering Checklist
1. Service Records
2. Medical Evidence
3. Lay Evidence
VA Forms Assistant
Fill out VA forms with guided step-by-step wizards. All data stays on your device.
Your Privacy is Protected
All form data is processed locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server and all of your information stays on your device.
VA Form 21-0966
Intent to File
Establishes an effective date for your claim. Critical first step!
VA Form 21-4138
Statement in Support of Claim
Submit personal statements as evidence for your claim.
VA Form 21-10210
Lay/Witness Statement
Third-party statement supporting your claim from family, friends, or colleagues.
VA Form 21-22
Appoint VSO as Representative
Authorize a Veterans Service Organization to represent you.
VA Form 21-22a
Appoint Individual as Representative
Authorize an attorney or claims agent to represent you.
VA Form 20-10207
Priority Processing Request
Request expedited processing due to hardship, terminal illness, homelessness, etc.
VA Form 20-0995
Supplemental Claim
Submit new and relevant evidence after an initial denial.
VA Form 20-0996
Higher-Level Review
Request a senior reviewer examine your existing evidence.
VA Form 21-4142
Medical Records Release
Authorize VA to obtain your private medical records.
VA Form 21-4142a
Medical Records Release (Individual)
Authorize a specific individual to obtain your medical records.
VA Form 21-686c
Add/Remove Dependents
Claim additional benefits for spouse, children, or dependent parents.
VA Form 21-526EZ
Disability Compensation Claim
The main form for filing a new disability compensation claim.
VA Form 21-0966
Intent to File
lightbulb Tips for Filling VA Forms
- check Save your progress - You can save and resume forms later. Your data is stored locally on your device.
- check Be specific - When describing conditions or events, include dates, locations, and details.
- check Review before submitting - Review your forms carefully before printing & signing. The generated PDF is unsigned; so double check that it is signed & dated before submitting to the VA.
- check Keep copies - Always keep a copy of everything you submit to the VA.