
In reality, this requirement makes very few actual changes
since the standardized forms have already been in use for years but were simply
not the only accepted way to submit a claim until now.
There are a couple of notable differences to point out,
however.
First, service members applying for VA Disability before
they are discharged from the military do not have to use separate forms any
longer. Everyone applying for VA Disability, either before or after discharge,
now uses the same form.
Second, the VA has launched a new “Intent to File” process. Veterans
who are unable to get all the supporting evidence they need to submit along
with their claim in time to meet the 1-year deadline (for eligibility back to the discharge date) for VA Disability Back Pay
can now submit an Intent to File form to notify the VA that they intend to file
a claim. As long as this Intent to File form is submitted within the 1-year
mark, the veteran will still be eligible for disability benefits dating all the
way back to his discharge date.
We provide complete instructions and all forms needed to
apply for VA Disability, along with examples on how to fill them out, on our VA Disability Claim page. Similarly, all details and forms for appealing the VA’s Rating Decision can be found in the VA Appeals section of our Is Your Rating Wrong? page.
While the changes in the forms are relatively minor, the VA
hopes that the use of standardized forms will make it easier for applications
to be processed more quickly and efficiently and, hopefully, reduce the amount
of time it takes for veterans to receive their benefits. Again, we remind you:
submitting proper DOCUMENTATION and complete information along with your claim
is key to getting your claims processed in a timely manner.
And, of course, the easiest, fastest way to submit a VA
Disability Claim is online through the VA’s eBenefits portal, www.ebenefits.va.gov.
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