VA disability claim evidence checklist

Do not delay urgent care or miss a filing deadline

This checklist is for claim preparation, not medical treatment. You can submit an intent to file while gathering records, and you should follow any deadline in an existing VA decision or evidence request.

Identity and VA account

Full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and VA file number if assigned.
Current mailing address, phone number, email, and direct-deposit information through an official VA account.
A secure Login.gov or ID.me sign-in if filing online.

Military service

Branch, service dates, service number if different, and character of discharge.
DD Form 214 or equivalent separation documents for relevant periods.
Orders, line-of-duty records, deployment history, duty locations, occupational specialty, and reserve or Guard records when relevant.
Service treatment and personnel records already in your possession.

Claimed conditions

A separate, specific name for each physical or mental health condition.
The approximate date symptoms began or worsened.
The service event, injury, disease, exposure, or already service-connected condition linked to each claim.
Whether the claim is original, increased, secondary, presumptive, based on aggravation, or another special category.

Medical evidence

Current diagnoses, test results, imaging, treatment notes, hospital records, and medication history.
Names, addresses, and treatment dates for VA, military, federal, and private providers.
Medical opinions or reports explaining the connection to service when available.
Evidence showing current severity and functional effects for an increased claim.

Exposure and incident evidence

Dates, locations, units, assignments, incidents, and potential toxic or hazardous exposures.
Official reports, awards, travel or deployment records, logs, or other documents that corroborate the event.
Personal statements and statements from service members, family, friends, coworkers, or others with firsthand knowledge.

Private-record authorizations

Copies of private records you can upload directly.
Current VA authorization and release forms when you want VA to request non-federal records.
Accurate provider contact details and treatment periods to avoid incomplete searches.

Dependents and related payment information

Marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, school, or dependent-parent information only when requested or relevant to an additional benefit.
Do not mail original civil documents unless current VA instructions specifically require them.

Before submitting

Confirm whether VA Form 21-526EZ is the correct form and use the current revision.
Review every condition and supporting theory for accuracy.
Remove duplicate files but do not omit distinct evidence.
Keep a complete copy and proof of the submission date.
Record the one-year deadline if you submitted an intent to file.

After submitting

Monitor VA messages and claim status.
Attend any scheduled claim examination or promptly explain why you cannot.
Upload requested evidence through an official channel.
Read the decision for each claimed issue, rating, effective date, and review rights.