FIELD MANUAL

VETERAN RESOURCES

Free guides, checklists, and reference material to help you navigate the VA claims process.

INTENT TO FILE — WHY IT MATTERS

Filing an Intent to File (ITF) on VA.gov locks in your effective date up to one year before your actual claim submission. This can mean thousands in retroactive pay.

Go to VA.gov → File a Disability Claim → Start

Select 'New or worsening condition'

Submit the Intent to File — this locks your date

You now have 1 year to submit the full claim

Your effective date = the ITF date, not the claim date

WHAT TO UPLOAD — DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

The VA needs specific documents to rate your claim. Missing even one can delay or deny your claim. Here's what you need.

VA Blue Button Report (complete medical records)

All Rating Decision Letters (past and current)

Service Treatment Records (STRs)

DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred)

Private medical records and specialist reports

Personal statements describing each condition

Buddy statements from fellow service members

Dental records (often overlooked — can support TBI, TMJ)

TOP 5 REASONS CLAIMS GET DENIED

After rating thousands of claims, these are the most common reasons I've seen veterans get denied — and how to avoid them.

No nexus — no link between service and current condition

Insufficient medical evidence — VA can't rate what they can't see

Missing in-service event documentation

Filing the wrong claim type (new vs. supplemental vs. increase)

Not responding to VA requests within the deadline

UNDERSTANDING VA MATH

The VA doesn't add ratings together. They use 'whole person' theory. Understanding this is critical to knowing your true combined rating.

Each rating is applied to remaining healthy percentage

50% + 30% ≠ 80% — it equals 65% (rounds to 70%)

Bilateral factor adds 10% to paired extremity ratings before combining

Final combined rating is rounded to nearest 10%

Use our VA Calculator tool to see your exact combined rating

SECONDARY CONDITIONS — FREE MONEY

A secondary condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition. These are often missed and can significantly increase your rating.

Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD (very common)

Radiculopathy secondary to back conditions

GERD secondary to medications for service-connected conditions

Depression/anxiety secondary to chronic pain conditions

Peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes

Migraines secondary to TBI

QUICK ACCESS

VA QUICK LINKS

VA.gov — File a Claim VA.gov — Check Claim Status VA.gov — Upload Evidence AccessVA — QuickSubmit VA Blue Button — Download Records eBenefits — View Rating VA Form 21-4138 — Statement in Support VA Compensation Rates

WANT TO KNOW YOUR COMBINED RATING?

Use our free VA Disability Calculator to see your exact combined rating using official VA math.

OPEN VA CALCULATOR