Filing Your Claim
We encourage claims be submitted through one of several available
State and Local Organizations as these will assist you to follow up on
your claim only if you utilized their services for filing the claim. Additionally
you may request your local congressional office to submit the claim on your behalf.
- Any communication or action, indicating an intent to
apply for one or more benefits under the laws administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, from a claimant, his or her duly authorized representative, a
Member of Congress, or some person acting as next friend of a claimant who is not
sui juris may be considered an informal claim. Such informal claim must identify
the benefit sought. Upon receipt of an informal claim, if a formal claim has not
been filed, an application form will be forwarded to the claimant for execution.
If received within 1 year from the date it was sent to the claimant, it will be
considered filed as of the date of receipt of the informal claim
- A communication
received from a service organization, an attorney, or agent may not be accepted
as an informal claim if a power of attorney was not executed at the time the communication
was written
- When a claim has been filed which meets the requirements of §3.151
or §3.152, an informal request for increase or reopening will be accepted as a claim.
To file an Informal Claim use VA Form 4138.
- General. A specific claim in the form prescribed by the Secretary must be filed
in order for benefits to be paid to any individual under the laws administered by
VA. (38 U.S.C. 5101(a)). A claim by a veteran for compensation may be considered
to be a claim for pension; and a claim by a veteran for pension may be considered
to be a claim for compensation. The greater benefit will be awarded, unless the
claimant specifically elects the lesser benefit
- Retroactive disability pension
claims. Where disability pension entitlement is established based on a claim received
by VA on or after October 1, 1984, the pension award may not be effective prior
to the date of receipt of the pension claim unless the veteran specifically claims
entitlement to retroactive benefits. The claim for retroactivity may be filed separately
or included in the claim for disability pension, but it must be received by VA within
one year from the date on which the veteran became permanently and totally disabled.
Additional requirements for entitlement to a retroactive pension award are contained
in §3.400(b) of this part
To file a Formal Claim use VA Form 21-526
Do not use VONAPP if you:
- Are receiving compensation, pension, or
vocational rehabilitation benefits, or
- Are applying for an increase in benefits,
or
- Already have a pending application for benefits, or
- Are notifying the VA
about dependency or income changes
The VONAPP (Veterans On Line Applications) website
is an official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website, that enables veterans
to apply for benefits using the Internet. U.S. military veterans and some service
members within six months of separation or retirement can apply for compensation,
pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.
U.S. military veterans, service
members with two years of service, and members of the Selected Reserve can apply
for education benefits.
VONAPP also has a link to VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for
Health Benefits.
How is using this site different from visiting a VA office?
When
you use this site to complete and send an application to the VA, your application
will be sent directly to the VA office with jurisdiction over your application.
Processing will begin and you will receive an automated e-mail response from the
VA office letting you know that your application has been received.
It can be important
for you to submit your claim as soon as you can if it is near the end of a month,
whether by regular mail or using VONAPP, to ensure they receive before the first
of the next month. In some cases, your entitlement is based on the date they receive
your claim in the VA. You might lose a month of benefits if you are found ineligible,
but you wait until the following month to submit your claim.
When you successfully
submit your electronic application using VONAPP, the time and date is stamped on
your application. The time and date is the Eastern Standard Time (EST) at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, where it is electronically received by the VA regardless of your geographic
location around the world.
To file a Veteran On-Line Application go to VONAPP only
for first time claims.