Your claim plan in 60 seconds

Answer five quick questions. You get a step-by-step plan for where you are, VA's published rules for the conditions you pick, and your one-year date. Free. No account. No email needed to see it.

Where are you right now?

Here is the plan for each step. Turn on JavaScript to pick your conditions and get VA's published rules for them.

Just looking into it

Most people start by learning the steps and getting their own records first. Here's the order we suggest.

  1. Read the 5-step claim checklist. A short guide to the steps you do yourself, in order.
  2. Think about a notice of claim (intent to file). Filing a notice with VA starts a one-year window to finish your claim. Read VA's page before you choose.
  3. Get your DD-214. Request it free from the National Archives (eVetRecs) or milConnect. It proves your service dates.
  4. Get your service treatment records. These show what was written down while you served. Ask for them with your personnel file. It can take weeks, so ask early. If you got care at a military hospital or clinic, check the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal too. Download from: MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.

Getting my records together

Records take the longest, so ask for what's missing now. While you wait, start your own words.

  1. Get your DD-214. Request it free from the National Archives (eVetRecs) or milConnect. It proves your service dates.
  2. Get your service treatment records. These show what was written down while you served. Ask for them with your personnel file. It can take weeks, so ask early. If you got care at a military hospital or clinic, check the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal too. Download from: MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.
  3. Download your VA medical records. If you get care at VA, sign in to VA.gov, open Medical records, and download your VA Blue Button report as a PDF. It's free. If VA sent you to an outside doctor (community care), ask that office for its notes too. Download from: VA.gov (VA Blue Button report), VA: Health and Benefits app. Where to download your records, step by step
  4. Ask your own doctors for copies. Add all of your treatment records, not just the ones you think help: VA, military, private doctors, specialists, hospitals, urgent care, telehealth, therapy and counseling, chiropractic and physical therapy, and pharmacy. Many offices and telehealth apps let you download records yourself. If not, ask the office for a PDF. HIPAA gives you the right to copies; a fee may apply. Then add them to My Records. Download from: MyChart, Kaiser Permanente, Oracle Health, athenahealth, NextGen, FollowMyHealth, healow, Teladoc, Amwell, MDLIVE, Doctor On Demand, Talkspace, BetterHelp, CVS MinuteClinic, CVS and Walgreens pharmacy history. Where to download your records, step by step

I filed a notice of claim (intent to file)

Your notice of claim starts a one-year window to finish the claim. Use it to line up records and statements.

  1. Get your DD-214. Request it free from the National Archives (eVetRecs) or milConnect. It proves your service dates.
  2. Get your service treatment records. These show what was written down while you served. Ask for them with your personnel file. It can take weeks, so ask early. If you got care at a military hospital or clinic, check the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal too. Download from: MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.
  3. Download your VA medical records. If you get care at VA, sign in to VA.gov, open Medical records, and download your VA Blue Button report as a PDF. It's free. If VA sent you to an outside doctor (community care), ask that office for its notes too. Download from: VA.gov (VA Blue Button report), VA: Health and Benefits app. Where to download your records, step by step
  4. Ask your own doctors for copies. Add all of your treatment records, not just the ones you think help: VA, military, private doctors, specialists, hospitals, urgent care, telehealth, therapy and counseling, chiropractic and physical therapy, and pharmacy. Many offices and telehealth apps let you download records yourself. If not, ask the office for a PDF. HIPAA gives you the right to copies; a fee may apply. Then add them to My Records. Download from: MyChart, Kaiser Permanente, Oracle Health, athenahealth, NextGen, FollowMyHealth, healow, Teladoc, Amwell, MDLIVE, Doctor On Demand, Talkspace, BetterHelp, CVS MinuteClinic, CVS and Walgreens pharmacy history. Where to download your records, step by step

I filed my claim

VA may schedule exams and ask for more. Keep your copies and dates in one place so nothing slips.

  1. Check your claim status on VA.gov. VA.gov shows the step your claim is on and any requests from VA.
  2. Get ready for any C&P exam. Write down your dates and what you want to say before the exam. Bring a list. Keep your own notes after.
  3. Keep copies of everything you send and get. Save each letter and upload with its date. It makes the next step easier, whatever it is.
  4. Know where free help is. Accredited VSOs help at no cost. Look up anyone before you share records with them.

I got a decision letter

Start by reading what the letter says and why. Then look at VA's review options and their time limits.

  1. Read your decision letter line by line. Find what VA decided for each condition and the reasons it gives. Our free demo shows what each part of a letter means.
  2. Learn VA's review options and time limits. Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or a Board appeal. Each has its own form and time limit. VA's page explains them.
  3. Request your C-file to see what VA had. Your C-file shows the records VA looked at. Ask for it with VA Form 20-10206.
  4. Know where free help is. Accredited VSOs help at no cost. Look up anyone before you share records with them.

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Education and organization only. Not a rating, not a payment, and not legal advice. You or an accredited representative file on VA.gov. We do not file. Never a cut of VA pay.

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