U.S. Military (Ret.): Disability basics: How to begin the VA claim process - Military Retirement - Navy Times

U.S. Military (Ret.): Disability basics: How to begin the VA claim process

I’ve written a lot recently about disability claims and how the Veterans Affairs Department is trying to deal with the huge backlog. I also touched a nerve with columns about the claims assistance services offered by veterans groups.

This week, I’d like to get back to basics and talk about the process for filing a VA disability claim.

A disability claim can be filed online or at any VA office, medical center or Vet Center. If you think you have a valid claim, your first move is to get complete copies of your military personnel and medical records. Many of the decisions involved in your claim will be based on both records.

The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis is the place to go for such records. Everything you need to know to make a request can be found at this webpage.

Your DD 214 discharge paper will be the key to unlocking your disability benefits. Next, your medical records will play the biggest role in your claim in terms of documenting your service experience.

If you’re a soon-to-be retiree undergoing medical care, you should make sure any final physical discharge review is documented in your records in the event you need to file a claim later.

Also, soon-to-be retirees can file VA disability claims while still on active duty as long as they have received retirement orders and have a retirement date.

To file a claim, go to the main VA website, hover your mouse over “Veteran Services” on the top bar, and then click on “Disability Compensation” under the “Benefits & Services” header. A link to the online claims application form is at the bottom of that page.

The bad news: Once you file a claim, you will have to be patient. Most veterans are well aware that VA has been dealing for years with a backlog of hundreds of thousands of claims. It could take months to get an answer on your claim.

If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision, but be aware that this process can take even longer, sometimes two years.

Finally, be sure to make copies of everything related to your claim that you send to VA — correspondence, your evidence, your records, everything. Having backup copies of all pertinent documents could come in handy if your claim is denied and you appeal the decision.

Becoming familiar with the basics of the VA disability claims system and filing your claim correctly the first time could save you a lot of aggravation.

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Retired Command Master Chief Alex Keenan served 28 years in the Coast Guard. E-mail him at retired@atpco.com.