How Do I File a Claim for Veterans’ Benefits?

There are many different types of veterans benefits including benefits for education and training, home loans, vocational rehabilitation and pension.  This article only focuses on applications for veterans’ disability compensation benefits which can be awarded when a veteran has a disease or injury that is caused by, related to or aggravated by military service.

How To File For Veterans Disability Compensation Benefits

Veterans can apply for disability compensation benefits without hiring an attorney.  One way to do so is to apply online through your eBenefits account.  You can also go to the nearest VA Regional Office and complete an application or submit your claim to a Regional Office by mail after you complete the particular form for the type of benefit for which you are applying.  For disability compensation, that would be either VA Form 21-526 Application for Compensation and/or Pension or VA Form 21-526EZ Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation.

The “EZ” version is a simplified version that will get the process started and establish an “effective date,” although there may be additional information sought later by VA that would have been addressed on the longer version.  So, the more complicated form could potentially result in a faster claims decision, although that is never certain when dealing with VA.  Some time after your claim has been filed, you will receive a Rating Decision from a VA Regional Office indicating what, if any, disability the VA has determined is related to your military service.  If you disagree with that rating decision, you can appeal it by filing a notice of disagreement.

Do I Need an Attorney to File For Veterans Disability Compensation?

You do not have to have an attorney to file an application for veterans disability compensation.  We usually recommend for veterans to file the initial application themselves since the VA benefits system is supposed to work for the veteran instead of against the veteran.  Part of that is based on the “duty to assist,” which is VA’s obligation under the law to help veterans identify and obtain evidence supportive of the claimed benefits.

If you are able to secure your benefits without the service of an attorney, that’s wonderful.  Unfortunately, many veterans are denied some or all of the benefits they should receive.  In those cases, an attorney can help appeal the denial (or partial grant of benefits, as the case may be).  These appeals are the primary focus of our firm.  We want to help those veterans who are unable to receive their benefits without our help.

For representing you on the appeal, there would generally be a contingency fee contract with a potential attorney’s fee calculated as a percentage of any back due benefits if we agreed to represent you on the appeal.  Still, you would only pay us if we were successful in recovering benefits for you. We take this approach because it allows veterans to secure the benefits they can without an attorney involved so our work can be focused on those benefits they VA would not have granted otherwise.

Other Questions About Veterans Benefits

For answers to additional questions about veterans’ benefits claims, please feel free to visit the Veterans’ Benefits section of our Questions and Answers page or simply complete the “Need Help” form at the right to get a consultation about your veterans’ benefits claims.

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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