Getting Started with Your VA Disability Claim

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Understanding VA Disability Claims

What is a VA Disability Claim?

A VA disability claim is how you apply for monthly compensation for medical conditions caused or worsened by your military service. The VA assigns a rating from 0% to 100% (in 10% increments) based on how severe your condition is.

Who Qualifies?

• Veterans with an honorable or general discharge
• You have a current diagnosis for a medical condition
• You have evidence that it was caused or aggravated by military service

What You'll Get

If approved, you'll receive:

• Monthly tax-free compensation based on your rating percentage and dependents
• VA healthcare access for your service-connected conditions
• Additional benefits at certain thresholds (30%, 50%, 100%)

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The Claims Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Identify Your Conditions

Make a list of all medical conditions you believe are service-connected. Common examples:

• PTSD or mental health conditions
• Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Knee, back, or joint problems
• Sleep apnea
• Migraines or headaches

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

You'll need to prove three things:

• Current diagnosis: Medical records showing you have the condition now
• In-service event: Evidence it happened or started during service (service records, buddy statements)
• Medical nexus: A doctor's opinion linking your current condition to your service

Step 3: File Your Claim

You can file online, by mail, or with help from a VSO:

• Online: VA.gov (fastest method, create an account with ID.me)
• Mail: Fill out VA Form 21-526EZ and mail it to your regional office
• With VSO: Organizations like DAV, VFW, American Legion offer free help

Step 4: Attend Your C&P Exam

The VA will schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. This is where a VA examiner assesses your condition. This is the most critical part of your claim.

Understanding What Examiners Are Looking For:

Here's what most veterans don't know: VA examiners use the rating tables (diagnostic codes) to determine your rating. They're listening for specific keywords and measurements that match the criteria for each rating level.

Example - Shoulder Pain: If you say "my shoulder hurts when I lift my arm," that's too vague. But if you say "I experience pain and limited range of motion starting at about 5-10 degrees when I begin to lift my arm," you're describing something the examiner can measure and document against the rating criteria.

This is why understanding the diagnostic codes matters. Look up your conditions in our library before your exam. Read the rating criteria. Understand what specific symptoms and limitations the VA is looking for at each percentage level.

Key tips for your exam:

• Review the rating criteria for your conditions beforehand—know what symptoms and limitations the VA looks for
• Be specific with measurements and frequency: "Pain starts at 10 degrees of movement," "Migraines 3-4 times per week," "Wake up 5-6 times every night"
• Describe your worst days, not your best days—the VA needs to understand your true limitations
• Explain impact on daily activities: Can't lift groceries, can't sleep through the night, avoid social situations, miss work, etc.
• Don't downplay symptoms to seem tough—this isn't the military anymore, it's about getting the help you earned
• Bring supporting documents like medical records or buddy statements if you have them
• If asked "Can you do X?", be honest about limitations—"I can do it, but it causes severe pain and I pay for it the next day"

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

The VA will review your evidence and exam results. This can take 3-6 months (sometimes longer). You can check your claim status at VA.gov.

Step 6: Review Your Decision & Appeal if Needed

When you get your decision letter:

• Review each condition and its rating carefully
• If you disagree, you have 1 year to file a Supplemental Claim or appeal
• VSOs can help you with appeals for free

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How to Use Bravo Claims Tools

Search Diagnostic Codes

Use our Diagnostic Codes Library to:

• Find codes for your conditions (e.g., search "PTSD" or "tinnitus")
• Understand what each rating percentage means
• See the criteria the VA uses to assign ratings

Calculate Your Potential Rating

The VA uses special math to combine multiple ratings. Use our VA Rating Calculator to:

• Add your conditions from the codes library
• Estimate your combined rating
• See potential monthly compensation (including dependent rates)

Get AI Help Anytime

Our VA Coach can answer questions about:

• Specific diagnostic codes and ratings
• The claims process and timeline
• What evidence you might need
• How to prepare for your C&P exam

Click "AI Help" in the navigation to ask questions from any page.

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Avoiding Claim Sharks & Scams

What Claim Sharks Actually Do

Most claim companies do very little beyond:

• Telling you which conditions to claim (you can research this yourself)
• Explaining diagnostic codes and ratings (that's what this site does, for free)
• Coaching you to be honest and detailed during C&P exams (common sense advice)
• Filling out forms you can fill out yourself or get free VSO help with

Free Resources You Should Use Instead

• Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): DAV, VFW, American Legion offer free claims assistance
• VA.gov: Official VA website with guides and forms
• Bravo Claims: Free tools to understand codes, calculate ratings, and get AI help

When Paid Help Might Make Sense

There are legitimate VA-accredited attorneys who work on contingency (they take a percentage of back pay if you win an appeal). This might make sense for:

• Complex appeals after multiple denials
• Board of Veterans' Appeals hearings
• Legal disputes about service connection

But for initial claims? You don't need to pay anyone. Use free resources and do the research yourself.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not claiming everything: File for ALL service-connected conditions, even minor ones. Your rating is cumulative.
• Downplaying symptoms: The C&P exam isn't a fitness test. Describe your worst days honestly.
• Missing deadlines: You have 1 year from your decision to file a Supplemental Claim or appeal. Don't miss it.
• Not keeping copies: Save copies of everything you submit to the VA.
• Giving up after denial: Many claims are approved on appeal. Don't give up.
• Paying claim sharks: Save your money. Use free resources.