Changes in VA Form Filing

VA recently made major changes in its rules about VA form filing in veterans benefits claims.  VA is moving toward requiring official forms to be filed in order to file a claim or to pursue an appeal.  You need to be aware of the changes in the rules because they could create problems for many veterans.

What are the most significant changes with the new rules?

One of the most significant changes is the abolishment of option of filing an informal claim.  Informal claims allowed veterans to make a request for benefits for a condition without using VA’s official form.  Since a veteran can only receive benefits from the time a claims is filed, informal claims often provided veterans with many additional months or years of benefits as a result of an earlier effective date when the claim for benefits was granted.

After March 24, 2015, the ability to file an informal claim no longer exists.  To file a claim for disability compensation benefits, a veteran must file Form 21-526EZ.  A wartime veteran filing for pension must use Form 21-527EZ.  The survivor of a veteran filing for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) should file Form 21-534EZ.  Because there is no ability to file a claim informally, many veterans and survivors who would have met the requirements for filing an informal claim under the previous rules will no longer have claims filed until they actually file the required VA form.

What if I don’t yet have all the information I need to file a claim?

A veteran can now notify VA of an intent to file a claim.  According to VA’s website, there are several ways to do this.   The most straightforward way is to complete a Form 21-0966 Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC.  VA also indicates that you can complete an Intent to File application through eBenefits.  The proper filing of an intent to file a claim will preserve the effective date of the claim while giving the veteran or survivor one year to gather the necessary information to support the claim. Preserving the earliest possible effective date is very important.

VA has indicated that it hopes these changes will help it process claim and pay benefits in a more timely manner. We certainly hope that it does that so that veterans will not continue to experience long delays waiting for their claims to be processed.  If you have any questions about filing a claim or any other questions about veterans benefits, our attorneys will be happy to provide you with a free consultation to answer your questions.  Also, if you are filing an initial claim for compensation, our attorneys will usually represent you in that initial application for free.  To find out more, simply call the phone number or complete the “Need Help” form on the right side of this page.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

I highly recommend going to Perkins studdard for VA claims! We have been fighting with the VA on service connected disabilities for 5 years and they helped us get our claims processed. Thank you guys!!!Chelsea
Recommend 100% After calling many attorneys and being turned away. They took my case and did amazingly well. They were patient and respectful throughout the process. Thease guys are legit and know their stuff!!!Mary Ann Sotelo
Great people, Great Service 100% Satisfied and has recommended them to a few people.Flo N Scnts Johnson
Happy and impressed working with Perkins Studdard to help me through the VA claim maze. Don't hesitate to contact them for help. You cannot do it alone.Jim & Linda Woychik
My experience with this firm was overwhelmingly awesome! My attorney is very knowledgeable in veteran law and the rest of the staff is polite and they answer emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend Perkins Studdard for you VA claim needs.Juan Armenta
Couldn’t be happier with the service they provided me. After so much time spent working with the VA to grant me disability for my service connected disabilities I was denied. Exhausted with the process and ready to give up a friend recommended this firm to assist me with an appeal. They handled all of it, keeping me updated regularly on progress, and eventually getting me the disability rating that was due. This was the happiest I’ve been to pay an invoice for services received.Kendall Lucy
100 % recomendable, in my humble opinion they are the best. I am very grateful with their assistance in filling my claim with the VA and winning They have done an outstanding job. They are professional ThanksFrancisco Javier Pérez A
They assessed my case as being potentially tdiu qualified and got to work right away. I only provided the information they asked me for and let them do their work. I didn’t hound them, I didn’t pester them, I just let them do their work and provided what they asked for and trusted the process. Within a few months or so I was awarded a tdiu rating. In my case I’m a combat vet of oef, but the Va had denied me twice for a benefit that I know I qualified for. The Perkins-studdard firm got the the benefit I deserved and I am eternally grateful for their expertise and hard work.M C
Jason provided provided outstanding counsel and support. His communication was exemplary, with prompt and informative responses to all my inquiries. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, transforming a potentially stressful experience into a positive one. I cannot recommend their services highly enough. Thanks Jason!Cody
I saw Travis on some YouTube videos. It was the way he worded things, I just felt compelled to contact them about my situation, he seemed trustworthy. Travis told me he thought he could help me. I was hesitant, but proceeded. The claim process was long, but my claim was granted. They are organized and punctual. Jessica and Travis are a strong team. I feel the Lord led me to Perkins & Studdard. I consider Travis an advocate and friend. ThanksCorby Reese

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