How to file your first disability claim (21-526EZ)
The main VA disability compensation application. Full walkthrough.
Method 1: Online at VA.gov (recommended)
- Go to va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez ↗
- Sign in (Login.gov, ID.me, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet).
- Click Start your claim.
What the form will ask, section by section
Section I: Your information
- Name, SSN, DOB, contact info — auto-fills from your VA account if signed in.
- Service info — branch, dates, character of discharge. Use your DD-214 to fill this exactly.
- If you have prior periods of service (broken contracts, Guard/Reserve activations), list ALL of them.
Section II: What you're claiming
This is the most important section. For each condition you're claiming, you'll provide:
- The condition name. Use the medical name plus diagnostic code if known. Examples:
- ✅ "Bilateral tinnitus" (not "ringing in ears")
- ✅ "Lumbosacral strain" (not "back pain")
- ✅ "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)" (not "anxiety from war")
- Type of claim:
- "New" — first time claiming this condition
- "Increase" — already service-connected, asking for higher rating
- "Secondary" — caused/aggravated by an already-SC condition (you'll identify the primary)
- How it relates to your service. Brief — one or two sentences pointing to the in-service event, exposure, or already-SC condition. Full detail goes in your 21-4138 Statement.
Section III: Treatment information
- List every VA medical facility you've received treatment at — VA pulls those records automatically.
- List every private/civilian provider with relevant records. You can either authorize VA to request them (slower) or upload them yourself (faster).
- List military treatment facilities if you saw them after separation.
Section IV: Service treatment records
- Confirm whether VA already has your STRs or if you need to provide them.
- If you have them in hand (from milConnect), upload them here.
Section V: PTSD (if claiming)
If you check PTSD in Section II, you'll be asked for stressor details:
- What happened — describe the event(s).
- When — approximate dates (month/year acceptable).
- Where — unit, location, deployment.
- Names — anyone involved who can corroborate.
For combat-related stressors, your statement alone is sufficient. For non-combat (MST, accidents, training incidents), you need corroborating evidence — buddy statements (Form 21-10210), incident reports, etc.
Section VI: Direct deposit + claim certification
- Bank info for direct deposit.
- FDC option: Check the "Fully Developed Claim" box ONLY if you've submitted ALL evidence. If you check it and later need to add more, that's fine — the claim just converts to a standard claim and processes slightly slower. No penalty.
- Sign and submit.
What to attach
- DD-214 (if not already in VA system)
- Any private medical records relevant to claimed conditions
- Nexus letters from private providers (one per condition that needs one)
- Statement(s) in Support of Claim (Form 21-4138) — one per major condition or one master statement
- Buddy/lay statements (Form 21-10210) — one per witness
- DBQs completed by your private provider
- Any prior decisions if this is a refile
After you submit
- VA sends a confirmation letter within ~30 days acknowledging receipt.
- VA schedules C&P exam(s) — typically within 30–60 days of filing. Attend every one. See C&P exam strategy.
- You can continue submitting evidence during the wait. Use Form 20-10208 for supporting documents, or just upload via VA.gov.
- Average decision time in 2026: ~130 days.
- Decision letter arrives in the mail and online in your VA.gov account.
Methods other than online
By mail
- Download the form: VBA-21-526EZ (PDF, 15 pages)
- Print, fill, sign every required section.
- Attach all supporting documents.
- Mail to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- Keep copies of everything.
In person
Bring the completed form + attachments to any VA Regional Office. They'll date-stamp and process intake. Find your nearest office ↗.
Through a VSO
File Form 21-22 to appoint a Veterans Service Organization (VFW, DAV, American Legion, etc.) as your representative. They submit the claim on your behalf. Free. See VSO vs. attorney.