Claim Flowcharts
Visual maps for common VA claim processes. Use your decision letter and current VA guidance to confirm the step that fits your case.
Flowchart 1
Filing an Initial Claim
The step-by-step path from Intent to File through your rating decision.
Check whether an ITF is needed
Form 21-0966 may establish a potential effective date; some verified online applications create an ITF automatically.
Gather Evidence
Gather relevant medical, service, and lay evidence. A medical opinion may help when the record does not already address a required connection.
Submit VA Form 21-526EZ
Identify the conditions you are claiming and submit relevant evidence. File through VA's current process or with an accredited representative.
VA Reviews Claim
VA assigns your claim to a rater and reviews all evidence submitted.
C&P Exam, If Requested
VA may request an exam if it needs more information to decide the claim.
Did the exam report appear complete and factually accurate?
Wait for decision
VA issues rating decision letter.
Document specific concerns
Note factual errors or process problems and ask VA or an accredited representative about available steps. VA decides whether more development or another exam is needed.
Do you agree with VA's decision?
Review the completed decision
Confirm each decided issue, any rating and effective date, and the payment information that applies to the award.
Compare decision-review options
Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, and Board Appeal have different evidence rules, deadlines, and tradeoffs.
Flowchart 2
Decision-Review Options
Use this as an orientation, then compare your decision letter, evidence needs, deadlines, and the current rules for each lane.
You Disagree With a VA Decision
Read the decision letter and identify each issue, the reasons VA gave, the evidence considered, and the listed deadline.
Compare every review lane available for each issue
These are alternative options, not a yes-or-no sequence. Compare the evidence rules, deadlines, review scope, and tradeoffs before selecting a lane. Different issues may use different lanes.
Add evidence
Supplemental Claim
VA Form 20-0995 is for new and relevant evidence. Confirm that the evidence relates to the specific issue and check the deadline in your decision letter.
Same record
Higher-Level Review
VA Form 20-0996 asks a higher-level reviewer to review the same evidentiary record. New evidence is not allowed; an informal conference is optional.
Judge review
Board Appeal
VA Form 10182 requests review by a Veterans Law Judge. Direct Review, Evidence Submission, and Hearing dockets have different evidence windows and timelines.
Your decision letter lists available options and deadlines. An accredited representative can help compare the lanes for your record.
Flowchart 3
Filing for a Rating Increase
When a service-connected disability has worsened, these are common filing and evidence steps. VA decides the evaluation from the record and current criteria.
Condition Has Worsened
Your service-connected condition is worse than when it was last rated.
Check whether an ITF is needed
It may protect a potential effective date if VA receives the completed application for the same benefit within 1 year.
Document the Worsening
Gather relevant current records and accurately describe symptom changes, flare-ups, treatment, and functional limitations.
Are you considering a separate disability as secondary?
Identify each issue and its evidence
An increase requires evidence of worsening. A secondary claim requires evidence that the separate disability was caused or aggravated by an established service-connected disability.
File claim for increase
Use 21-526EZ selecting 'increase' for the worsening condition.
Submit 21-526EZ with updated evidence
Include evidence relevant to the requested increase and, if applicable, competent evidence supporting any claimed secondary relationship.
Attend a new C&P exam, if requested
Describe the full range of symptoms, including the frequency and impact of flare-ups.
Receive VA's decision
VA decides whether the evidence supports a change and explains any rating, effective date, and payment calculation.
Secondary claims depend on the record
A separate diagnosis is not automatically secondary because it commonly occurs alongside a service-connected disability. VA evaluates whether the evidence shows that the established disability caused or aggravated the separately claimed condition. A qualified clinician or accredited representative can help you identify the evidence relevant to your individual record.
Dive Deeper
These flowcharts show the path. The detailed guides show you how to walk it.
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