VA Disability Claim Types

Overview

Veterans can file different types of VA disability claims depending on their circumstances. The type of claim filed affects how the VA processes the application and what evidence needs to be submitted.

Pro Tip: The VA has more claim types than the Army has forms. Knowing which one to file is half the battle. File the wrong type and you'll be waiting months just to get told to start over.

Original Claim

An original claim is simply a veteran's first application for service-connection for a specific disability. Technically, all new claims are considered original claims with no special designation.

Fully Developed Claim (FDC)

A fully developed claim is filed when all necessary evidence is ready to submit with the application. This does not require completion of a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam beforehand.

Key Update: As of October 2022, fully developed claims no longer receive priority processing. However, submitting evidence upfront still results in faster processing than having the VA obtain records later.

Claims convert to Standard status if: - Additional evidence is submitted after filing - A new claim is filed while another is in progress - An appeal is filed while a claim is active - The VA obtains private medical records on behalf of the veteran

Standard Claim

Standard claims require the VA to gather evidence on the veteran's behalf. This includes: - DD-214/215 documents - Private medical records (requires VA Form 21-4142) - Service Treatment Records - Vet Center records (requires Form 21-4142)

Note: VA medical records do not require this process.

Increase Claim

An increase claim is filed when a service-connected condition worsens over time. Veterans can file as often as desired with no minimum waiting period between filings.

Important: Review the rating schedule before filing to avoid unintended reductions or wasting resources.

Secondary Claim

Secondary claims address disabilities caused by existing service-connected conditions rather than military service itself. For example, erectile dysfunction caused by PTSD could be claimed as secondary to PTSD.

Key Considerations: - Filing a secondary claim invites possible reevaluation of the primary condition - Primary conditions rated at 0% can still have secondary conditions - Secondary conditions can rate higher than their primary condition - There is no limit to the number of secondary conditions

Supplemental Claim

Technically a type of appeal rather than a traditional claim, this terminology persists in VA systems as a remnant from deprecated claim types.

Important: Previously denied conditions must be appealed—they cannot be refiled as new claims.

Deferred Claim

A deferred claim indicates partial rating with remaining conditions requiring further development. Common reasons include: - Requested federal records not yet obtained - Private medical records pending release - Medical examinations not yet ordered or completed - Rater needs clarification on examination findings - Missing required information from providers

Deferral status does not indicate likelihood of approval or denial.

Inferred Claims

Conditions added to claims without express filing occur through three mechanisms:

1. Veteran Statements

Conditions mentioned in statements received the same day as the claim/appeal (including statements about symptom relationships or worsening conditions)

2. Scope of Claim

Conditions considered inherently related to claimed disabilities, such as: - Nerve conditions from spine disorders - Residual scars from surgery - Diabetes complications - Knee instability related to knee pain claims

3. Ancillary Benefits

Special Monthly Compensation or Chapter 35 survivor benefits when eligibility criteria are met

Important Notes: - C&P examiners recommending additional claims should prompt veterans to file an Intent to File - Raters generally cannot infer claims outside these three scenarios - Raters cannot grant TDIU without formal veteran application - Certain inferred issues (like secondary scars) became policy around 2014

1151 Claim (Federal Tort)

A 1151 claim is filed when a veteran believes they were harmed by VA medical care or treatment. These claims require proving: - Disability or additional disability resulted from VA care - The VA was at fault or there was an unforeseeable event - The harm was not a reasonably foreseeable outcome of treatment

Informal Claim (Historical)

Before March 24, 2015, the VA accepted informal claims—any communication showing intent to apply for benefits. Upon receipt, the VA would mail an application.

Informal claims could be submitted by the veteran, their representative, or congressperson. Complaints made during medical examinations were never acceptable as informal claims.

See Also

• Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD)
• Filing a VA Disability Claim
• Service-Connection Types
• End Products (EP)