Veterans Affairs (VA) Compensation

What Makes Your Client Eligible

In general, your client may be eligible for VA Compensation if he/she:

• Is a veteran of the U.S. military
• Was discharged under honorable conditions
• Has a service-connected disability

Your client who is a veteran may also be eligible for additional amounts if:

• The disability is severe, or there is loss of limb or use of an organ
• The veteran has a spouse, child(ren), or dependent parent(s)
• The veteran’s spouse is seriously disabled

Application Process
Renewal Process
Appeals Process

Application Process
To apply for VA Compensation, your client must complete VA Form 21-526, Application for Disability Compensation or Pension Benefits.

Your client can obtain a VA Form 21-526 by visiting, calling or writing to any VA regional office. The form is also available on the Internet at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.

To locate a local VA regional office, visit www.va.gov/sta/guide/home.asp.

Renewal Process
VA will periodically review your client’s case to see whether or not he/she is still disabled. The frequency of the reviews depends on whether or not your client’s disability is permanent or non-permanent as determined by the VA Rating Specialist who reviews his/her initial application. If your client’s disability is determined to be permanent, an examination will not be scheduled. If your client’s disability is determined to be non-permanent, examinations will be occasionally scheduled in the future. Your client does not need to bring any documentation to the examination. It is very important that your client keeps the scheduled examination appointment.

Appeals Process
If your client is a veteran, he/she has the right to appeal decisions made by a VA regional office. Your client has one year from the date of the notification of a decision to file an appeal. The first step in the appeals process is for your client to file a written statement (known as the Notice of Disagreement ) with the veteran’s regional office that made the decision.

If your client needs to appeal a decision, please refer him/her to the “Understanding the Appeal Process” pamphlet at www.va.gov/vbs/bva/pamphlet.htm.