Draft your VA disability claim — every condition, the right theory

Section-by-section walkthrough

Reference for every block on the actual form. Use this alongside the drafter above when you’re filling out VA.gov directly.

1. Section I

   Veteran identification

   Name as it appears on your DD-214. SSN, date of birth, telephone, email. If you have moved since your last claim, this is your update of record — file 21-686c separately if you are also adding/removing dependents.

2. Section II

   Service information

   List every period of active duty, plus any qualifying ACDUTRA / IDT periods that are relevant to a claim. Include reserve / Guard. Combat zone block matters because it can be the difference between a presumption applying or not.

   Watch out: Do NOT skip Guard / Reserve activations. PACT Act presumptive coverage extends to many of them and the rater will not chase the records on your behalf if you did not list the period.

3. Section II-A

   POW status

   If you were ever a prisoner of war, even briefly, this triggers a separate set of presumptive conditions under 38 CFR 3.309(c). Mark it.

4. Section III

   Service-connected disabilities you are claiming

   For each condition: name, date condition began (or the in-service event), and whether you believe it is direct, secondary, or presumptive. Describe in plain English. The exact diagnostic code is helpful but not required — the rater assigns the code; you assert the condition.

   Watch out: List EVERY condition. Stacking matters because of combined-rating math. A 30% mental health rating + a 10% tinnitus + a 10% lumbar produces a 40% combined, not 50%. If you have a 5th condition you forgot to claim, you may push the combined up a tier. The Estimator tool models this for you.

5. Section IV

   Treatment information

   List every VA medical center where you have been treated AND every private provider relevant to a claimed condition. The VA pulls VA records automatically; private records you must either upload or sign a 21-4142 / 21-4142a release for.

   Watch out: A private provider who has critical evidence will be ignored if you do not list them. Sign the 21-4142 release the same day.

6. Section V

   Claim type — Fully Developed Claim (FDC) vs Standard

   FDC means you certify that all evidence in support of your claim is being submitted with the form (or already in VA possession). It can shave months off the timeline. If you have private records still being gathered or you want VA to develop on your behalf, file Standard.

   Watch out: Do NOT elect FDC if you still need to submit a nexus letter or buddy statement. Once you elect FDC and the VA closes the evidence window, late-submitted evidence may be returned.

7. Section VI

   Direct deposit

   Routing number, account number. Get it right the first time. Direct-deposit changes after award take 30+ days to process and your first month’s payment may bounce if the account was wrong.

8. Section VII

   Certification and signature

   You are signing under penalty of perjury that everything in the form is true to the best of your knowledge. Date in MM/DD/YYYY. If filing electronically at VA.gov, the e-signature counts.

Before you hit submit — your packet checklist

What you upload alongside the 21-526EZ is what wins the claim. At minimum:

• Nexus letter →

  Doctor-ready template you take to your provider.

• Stressor statement (PTSD/MST) →

  AI drafts the M21-1-shaped statement in your voice.

• Statement in Support of Claim →

  Anything the rater needs to know that your records don’t show.

• Buddy statements →

  Spouse for symptom continuity, battle buddy for in-service events.

• Private records release →

  Form 21-4142 if any private provider has relevant records.

• Dependent additions →

  If 30%+ rated, add spouse / kids / parents for monthly bump.