Page 146 - A Soldiers Exposition

APPENDIX N-1:
VA Disability Claims Application and Processing

Basic information

The following material is to serve as an introduction to the VA Disability claims application and how the
overall process works. While it is true that the claims process is involved and sometimes challenging, I
encourage you to read the information; follow the links and visit the Veteran’s Affairs website:
www.va.gov

If for any reason you feel the need for assistance with preparing your claim, I recommend you contact
your local VA Medical Center. Most VA Medical Centers have a Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
office on-site. The DAV offers personal assistance for submitting your claim. Help is available. Do not
feel ashamed to ask for help. Make use of all the available assistance. You can contact the DAV at:

http://www.dav.org/

The source for all the information below can be accessed at:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/process.asp?expandable=0

Claims Process

There are eight distinct steps that most claims for disability compensation follow. These phases may vary
in time depending on the complexity of the claim, the amount of evidence that must be gathered to
support the claims, and the type of evidence. You are strongly encouraged to submit as much evidence
as possible with your claim to help minimize processing time. The eight steps of claims processing are as
follows:

Step 1. Claim Received

Your claim has been received by the VA. If you applied online with VONAPP Direct Connect, you should
see receipt in your list of Open Claims within one hour. If you applied through the U.S. mail, please allow
mailing time plus one week to process and record receipt of your claim.

Step 2. Under Review

Your claim has been assigned to a Veterans Service Representative and is being reviewed to determine
if additional evidence is needed. If we do not need any additional information, your claim will move
directly to the Preparation for the Decision phase.

Step 3. Gathering of Evidence

The Veterans Service Representative will request evidence from the required sources. Requests for
evidence may be made of you, a medical professional, a government agency, or another authority.