Never filed a VA claim? We’ll walk you through it.
The Claim Coach takes you from “I don’t know where to start” to a filed, tracked claim — one plain-English step at a time. Answer five quick questions and we’ll build your path, plugging in the right tool at every step.
Sign-in required to save your progress. No credit card. Your answers stay private.
Answer 5 questions
First claim or appeal? Current rating? Service era? Branch? Conditions? Takes two minutes.
Follow your path
A 9-step plan built around your answers — from Intent to File through claim tracking.
Leave with a packet
Your conditions, evidence, and statements collected into one place. Plus a live Claim Tracker.
The 9 steps, start to finish
For first-time filers (Track A). Each step uses the tools and guides already on this site — nothing to learn twice.
- 1Intent to File
- 2Identify conditions
- 3Gather evidence
- 4Supporting documents
- 5Personal statements
- 6Lay statements
- 7File 21-526EZ
- 8C&P exams
- 9Monitor status
About the process — the full path, in plain English
A VA claim isn’t one step — it’s ten. Most vets bail somewhere in the middle because nobody laid it out. Here’s the whole thing.
What we cover today
- Phase 1 — Figure out if you qualify. (1 evening) Learn what kind of claim fits your service and your symptoms.
- Phase 2 — Gather your paperwork. (1–2 weeks) DD-214, service treatment records, and any medical records you have.
- Phase 3 — Get your medical evidence lined up. (2–8 weeks) Current diagnoses, symptom logs, and nexus letters where they help.
- Phase 4 — Line up buddy statements and lay evidence. (1–2 weeks) The stuff that isn't in your medical file — your story, in your words and theirs.
- Phase 5 — Pick someone to file with you. (1 week) A free VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion) or a paid claims agent. Never go it alone.
What happens next (on your own, with your rep, or on VA.gov)
- Phase 6 — File the claim. (1 day to file, backdated up to 1 year) Intent to File first (locks your effective date), then the full 21-526EZ.
- Phase 7 — The wait — and your C&P exam. (3–6 months) Prep for your compensation exam. Keep logging symptoms. Answer VA requests fast.
- Phase 8 — Read your rating decision. (1 evening) Verify the combined-rating math and check for dependent adjustments.
- Phase 9 — If denied or under-rated — appeal. (4–18 months) HLR (same evidence, new reviewer), Supplemental (new evidence), or Board.
- Phase 10 — Stay on top of it — forever. (Ongoing) Increases, secondaries, TDIU, SMC, and using your VA healthcare.
Total: 10 phases. 5 are handled inside this site today; the rest live on VA.gov and with your accredited rep. Typical start-to-decision time is 6 to 12 months.
The Claim Coach is an educational tool, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with the VA. We don’t file anything for you — you stay in control of every step. You can leave and come back any time; your progress is saved.