Steps in the Approval of a VA Disability

If you're a veteran who has received an injury, contracted a disease or other debilitating condition while on active duty, you may be eligible to apply for Veteran's Affairs disability. You stand to receive substantial monthly benefits, depending on the level of disability and the number of dependents you support. To receive approval on your disability, you'll have to first claim your disability by filing a series of forms, applications and records that document the extent of your condition.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact a Veteran's Service Organization if you desire assistance in the disability approval process. Service organizations or your state Veteran's Affairs office can be of great help throughout the process, making sure you submit the proper forms and documentation.

• 2

  File a disability claim. Fill out VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension. Send it to the U. S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, either by mail or online.

• 3

  Submit documentation of your military experiences along with your claim. You can submit a number of different items as documentation, including VA Form 21-4138 and forms DD 214 and DD 215, available through the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Other types of documentation include documentation for any medals or awards you received, newspaper articles about a traumatic event or injury you experienced, letters to or from loved ones describing traumatic events, photographs relevant to any traumatic experiences, or statements from fellow veterans or personnel you worked with while on duty.

• 4

  Submit a stressor letter along with your claim, if your disability relates to mental or emotional trauma. The letter can be written in or attached to VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim. This letter documents the stresses you experienced while in service. The letter should provide any information you have about the stressors you experienced, the unit you served in, and the dates and locations of service, who you served with, and so on.

• 5

  Submit documentation regarding any dependents you support, such as marriage records or the birth certificates of your children. This information helps determine the amount of compensation you receive for your disability.

• 6

  Submit medical evidence of your disability. Include reports from your doctor and any hospital reports and records.

• 7

  Meet with a disability evaluator if it is deemed necessary. Be open about your experiences, even if traumatic. The evaluator cannot understand or evaluate your experiences or the level of your disability if you do not share everything.