Check your evidence before you start

Pick a condition. See what VA generally looks for, mark each item Have, Not sure or Missing, and get one next step. It takes about two minutes and works right on this page. Your answers stay on this device.

Pick your condition

Pick a condition to add the topics from VA's rating rule. The general primary-claim list below works for any condition.

What VA generally looks for

A current condition. A diagnosis or ongoing problem that affects your body or mind today.
Something in service. An event, injury, illness or exposure during your service.
A link between the two. Medical records or a medical opinion that connect your current condition to service. Some conditions have a presumptive link that VA publishes.

For some conditions tied to certain service or exposures, VA presumes the link. VA publishes the lists.

Sources: Eligibility for VA disability benefits · 38 CFR 3.303, Principles relating to service connection · Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA.gov, The PACT Act and your VA benefits · VA.gov, Military exposures

Evidence that may apply

Service records. Your DD214, service treatment records and unit or duty records show when and where you served. Request your military service records (including DD214)
Medical records. VA, military and private records show your diagnosis, treatment and how the condition looks over time. Evidence needed for your disability claim
Buddy and family statements. People who saw the event or see the condition can describe what they saw or heard. VA Form 21-10210
Your personal statement. Your own words about how the condition began and how it affects daily life. VA Form 21-4138
VA claim exam. VA may schedule an exam to learn how the condition affects you now. Notes you prepare beforehand help you describe it clearly. VA claim exam (C&P exam)
VA forms. Forms such as 21-4142 (private records) and 21-0781 (in-service events for mental health claims) organize what VA asks for. Additional forms for your disability claim

Your preliminary checklist

Mark each item on this page to build your checklist. The list below shows every item in the general primary-claim checklist. Your answers stay in this browser on this device. You can clear them any time.

My separation papers (DD214) or other proof of my service dates (Your service)
VA confirms your service dates and discharge type first. Request your military service records (including DD214)
My service treatment records, or a list of where I was treated in service (Your service)
Notes from care during service can show when the condition or injury first appeared. Request your military service records (including DD214)
Medical records that name my current condition (Your current condition)
VA generally looks for a current diagnosis or ongoing problem. Review medical records online (My HealtheVet on VA.gov)
Something that shows the condition began, or got worse, because of my service (The link to service)
VA generally looks for an event, injury, illness or exposure in service, plus a link to the current condition. Evidence needed for your disability claim
Recent treatment notes or test results for this condition (Your current condition)
Recent records show how the condition affects you today. Evidence needed for your disability claim
A list of the VA or military clinics that treated me, with dates (Your current condition)
VA can help collect federal records when you share the facility and dates. Evidence needed for your disability claim
A list of private doctors or hospitals that treated me, with dates (Your current condition)
Private records can fill in care you received outside VA. VA Form 21-4142
A statement from someone who saw the condition or the in-service event (Statements)
A buddy or family statement can describe what they saw or heard. VA Form 21-10210
My own written statement (Statements)
Your statement explains how the condition began and what it changes in daily life, in your words. VA Form 21-4138
VA Form 21-0781 details about the in-service event (Statements)
VA offers this optional form when a mental health condition is tied to an event during service. VA Form 21-0781
Notes for a possible VA claim exam (VA exam)
VA may schedule an exam to learn how the condition affects you now. VA claim exam (C&P exam)

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Secondary conditions come after the primary packet

A secondary condition is one caused or made worse by a service-connected condition (38 CFR 3.310). Finish your primary packet first, then work through the secondary-conditions checklist.

Secondary conditions checklist · 38 CFR 3.310, Disabilities that are proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected disease or injury

Official sources

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