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Understand the VA disability claims process.

Read the guide from the beginning or go straight to the topic you need. It covers preparing a claim, gathering evidence, understanding a decision, and learning about review options.

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10 chapters in 5 parts

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182 pages
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The reference 82 pages

The Complete VA Disability Claims Guide

The full reference, from filing and evidence through ratings, reviews, and family benefits.

FilingEvidenceAppealsBack pay

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The data 78 pages

Condition Intelligence

Condition profiles with rating context and evidence patterns from the Board decisions studied.

Board outcomesDenial patternsRating context

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Fill it in 18 pages

The VA Claims Workbook

Worksheets and logs for organizing evidence, tracking dates, and preparing statements.

TrackersDecodersWorksheets

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Read this first 4 pages

Start Here

A short introduction to claim preparation, key dates, and commonly used forms.

Claim elementsDatesForms

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New to the processOpen Start Here first.

Learning the full processUse the Complete Claims Guide.

Organizing a claimPrint the VA Claims Workbook.

Researching a conditionUse Condition Intelligence.

Online edition · 10 chapters

Read online

Search for a topic or browse the chapters below. Each chapter has its own page, with references you can check and links to related topics.

Part 01

Filing Your Claim

1 chapter

Mental Health Claims

PTSD stressor rules, MST evidence, and how to prepare for mental health C&P exams.

Part 02

Understanding Your Claim

1 chapter

How to Read Your Decision Letter

Key sections to review, common codes, and what to do after receiving your letter.

Part 03

Ratings and Benefits

2 chapters

Understanding the Rating System

How VA math and the bilateral factor work, what rating thresholds do, and how TDIU and P&T differ.

State and Local Veteran Benefits

A verification workflow for state and local veteran benefits without relying on a generic fifty-state promise.

Part 04

Appeals and Resources

4 chapters

VA Appeal Process and Decision-Review Options

Compare the three VA decision-review lanes, their evidence rules and forms, and the deadlines that protect an effective date.

Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)

A high legal bar for correcting a final decision when the record and law already showed an undebatable outcome-changing error.

Who Can Help You

Choose qualified help, understand when fees are allowed, and keep control of your claim and private information.

Key VA Forms Reference

Find the right VA form for an initial claim, review lane, evidence statement, records request, family benefit, or representative appointment.

Part 05

Special Claims and Family Benefits

2 chapters

Claims for Increased Ratings

How to document a service-connected condition that has worsened and request the correct higher evaluation.

Dependents and Family Benefits

How a disability award can change compensation and open separate benefits for spouses, children, parents, and caregivers.