VA disability compensation, start to finish

What "service connected" means

VA pays disability compensation when two things are true: you have a current illness or injury, and it is connected to your service. That second part is the whole fight in most claims. VA recognizes three ways in: you got sick or hurt while serving; you had a condition before you joined and service made it worse; or a condition tied to your active service didn't show up until after you got out.

Some conditions are "presumptive." For those, you don't have to prove your service caused the problem. You only have to meet the service requirements for the presumption. VA groups them as chronic illnesses that show up within a year of discharge, illnesses from toxic or hazardous exposures, and illnesses tied to time as a prisoner of war.

Discharge matters. With an other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, you may not be eligible. VA points to two ways to try anyway: a discharge upgrade, or a Character of Discharge review.

Source: VA.gov — Eligibility for VA disability benefits (checked 2026-10)

Filing: intent to file, evidence, and the exam

If you remember one thing from this chapter, make it this: lock in your date first. An intent to file sets a potential start date, called the effective date, for your benefits. Once VA has it, you have 1 year to file the full claim. If the claim is approved, you may get back pay from that date instead of from the day you finally finished the paperwork. If you start the disability claim online, VA records an intent to file automatically. On paper, use VA Form 21-0966.

Source: VA.gov — Your intent to file a VA claim (checked 2026-10)

The claim itself is VA Form 21-526EZ, filed online, by mail, in person at a regional office, or with an accredited representative. For evidence, VA wants your DD214 or other separation papers, your service treatment records, and medical evidence of the condition: doctors' reports, X-rays, test results. VA can request records from VA and other federal facilities and from private doctors if you give it the facility name and treatment dates.

Don't skip lay evidence. Anyone who knows what you went through or how the condition affects you can write a statement on VA Form 21-10210 (the "buddy statement"). You can write your own on VA Form 21-4138 or plain paper.

Source: VA.gov — How to file a VA disability claim and Evidence needed (checked 2026-10)

If VA needs more than your records show, it schedules a claim exam, the compensation and pension or "C&P" exam. A VA provider or a VA contract provider does it. The exam is free and so are the tests they order. Go. Missing it delays your claim, and VA may decide on the evidence it already has.

Source: VA.gov — VA claim exam (C&P exam) (checked 2026-10)

How ratings work, and why VA math isn't addition

VA rates each service-connected condition as a percentage based on how severe it is, using the rating schedule in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating drives your monthly payment and your access to other benefits, like VA health care.

When you have more than one rating, VA does not add them. It uses the "whole person" method. Think of it as efficiency: you start at 100% able. The worst condition comes off first. Every condition after that takes its percentage only from what is left.

One more example straight from the regulation: 60, 40 and 20 combine to 76, then 81, which converts to 80%. This is why a stack of small ratings climbs slowly. Two 10% ratings make 19, not 20.

Source: 38 CFR 4.25 — Combined ratings table (eCFR) and VA.gov — About VA disability ratings (checked 2026-10)

Source: 38 CFR 4.26 — Bilateral factor (eCFR) (checked 2026-10)

What it pays

These are the basic monthly rates for a veteran with no dependents, effective December 1, 2025. At 10% and 20% there is no extra for dependents. From 30% up, a spouse, children or dependent parents raise the amount, and the full table covers every combination.

Rates change. Before you plan around a number, check the official table.

Source: VA.gov — Current veterans disability compensation rates (checked 2026-10)

When you disagree: three ways to push back

A decision you don't like is not the end. You pick one of three lanes, and the clock starts on the date printed on your decision letter.

• Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995). You have new and relevant evidence VA didn't consider. You can file one at any time after a decision.
• Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996). A more senior reviewer looks at the same evidence for an error. No new evidence. You can ask for one optional informal conference. File within 1 year of the decision.
• Board Appeal (VA Form 10182). A Veterans Law Judge reviews your case. You choose Direct Review, Evidence Submission, or a Hearing. File within 1 year of the decision; for a contested claim, within 60 days.

The timing matters for your money. If you keep the issue moving by filing the next review within one year of each decision, VA keeps your original effective date. Let more than a year pass and you can still file a Supplemental Claim, but the effective date can be no earlier than the day VA receives it.

Source: VA.gov — Choosing a decision review option, Higher-Level Review, Board Appeal, and 38 CFR 3.2500 (eCFR) (checked 2026-10)

Get free help, and know who is allowed to give it

You don't have to do this alone, and you don't have to pay. VA's Office of General Counsel accredits three kinds of people to help with claims: Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, attorneys, and claims agents. A VSO representative's help is always free. Attorneys and claims agents generally can charge only after VA has decided your initial claim, and only with a fee agreement on file.

Source: VA.gov — VA accredited representative FAQs and Find a VA accredited representative or VSO (checked 2026-10)

Source: VA News — Beware: Claims predators want to prey on your benefits and FTC — Sign over a portion of your VA benefits? Nope, that's a scam (checked 2026-10)