![]() This is called the Statement in Support of Claim. When filing your VA compensation claim, include a VA Form 21-4138. Write a statement in support of your claim Be aware that just because a doctor’s opinion is requested on service connection that that doesn’t mean a doctor will agree that your current condition is related to your service. If you provide evidence of the first two items but not the third, VA will schedule you for a C&P exam to determine a doctor’s opinion for the third. It’s like a three legged stool – without any one of these legs, the stool will fall over. Without all three of these items, a VA compensation claim can’t be granted. In this case the nexus is established by law. For presumptive illnesses, VA presumes the connection between the documented event in service and the current diagnosed illness. Unless the connection is obvious through your medical records, this opinion, or nexus, will usually come from your VA-scheduled Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. A doctor’s opinion that the event in service and current diagnosis are connected.A current VA or private doctor’s diagnosis showing that you have a medical condition related to the service event and.Or, you served in Vietnam, were exposed to Agent Orange, and now have a disease that is considered presumptive for Agent Orange exposure For example, you fractured an ankle in service and now have arthritis in that ankle. Event in service is something that happened in service that caused or aggravated your current disability.To receive VA disability compensation, you must meet three criteria: an event in service that caused or aggravated a disability or illness a current diagnosis of a medical disability or illness and a medical opinion connecting the two (the latter as a result/because of the former). You then have one year to complete your claim application. The Intent to File for a VA compensation claim lets VA know that you are planning to file a claim, and it locks in your “backpay” date. We know that it may take you some time to gather all the evidence you need to support your fully developed claim (FDC), such as your service treatment records, private treatment records and DBQs, and written witness/buddy/commander/spouse/lay statements. ( You can submit your Intent to File online in eBenefits here) Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to complete online in eBenefits. The Intent to File is required, but here’s why it’s a good thing: It immediately establishes your effective date for pay purposes. I recently completed training as a rater so that I could share with you the information and tips and tricks and suggestions I learned while working with those who rate claims for VBA. But unless you are just leaving the military, with well-documented and easily accessible service treatment records, this isn’t the best approach.Īs a public affairs officer for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), I wanted to learn more about the VA compensation claim process. Most Veterans opt for the former, cross their fingers, and hope for the best. There are two ways to file a VA compensation claim: print the 526EZ and mail/fax it, or submit it electronically through VA and DoD’s eBenefits web portal.
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