Claims Process - How ClaimHero Helps You File VA Disability Claims

Step 1 – Complete AI Tool Questionnaires

The first step in the ClaimHero process is filling out easy-to-answer questionnaires for our AI-powered Claim Optimizer and Medical Nexus Insight Tools. These questionnaires collect essential details about your service-related disabilities, medical conditions, and history. This data sets the foundation for your VA disability claim.

After completing the questionnaires, our AI tools will generate detailed reports to guide you through the claims process. These reports are emailed to you within 24 hours, ensuring a quick and efficient start to your claim preparation.

Using AI Tools for Report Generation

Our AI-powered Claim Optimizer and Medical Nexus Insight Tools ensure that all aspects of your claim are thoroughly analyzed. These tools identify key information, helping to avoid common errors that can delay the VA’s processing of your claim. The result is a more accurate and complete claim submission, giving you the best chance for approval.

Step 2 – Gather Supporting Evidence

Before moving forward with the claim forms, it’s important to gather any supporting evidence to strengthen your claim. This may include:

  • VA medical records or private hospital reports showing service-related injuries or conditions.
  • Supporting statements from family members, coworkers, or military colleagues that provide context for your claim.
  • Your military service records (such as a DD214).

You can submit these documents yourself, or ask for VA’s assistance to retrieve the necessary records. Including thorough evidence at the start can significantly improve the speed of claim processing.

Intent to File (Optional)

If you need more time to gather evidence, you can submit an “Intent to File” form to the VA. This form preserves the earliest possible effective date for your benefits, allowing you time to collect documents while avoiding any delays in the start date of your compensation. However, if you file online, the effective date is automatically recorded when you start your application, so the Intent to File form isn’t necessary.

Step 3 – Complete the Form Questionnaires

Once you’ve received your AI-generated reports, use them to answer the required form questionnaires. These include:

  • VA Form 21-526EZ: The Application for Disability Compensation.
  • SISOC: Statement in Support of Claim.
  • Medical records release form (if applicable).

If you opted not to enter your Social Security Number (SSN) into the questionnaires, be sure to manually add your SSN on the forms before submission. These forms are critical for submitting a complete VA disability claim.

Optional: Lay/Witness Statements

In addition to the claim forms, it is strongly recommended that you include lay/witness statements. These statements can be filled out by friends, family members, coworkers, or fellow service members to provide additional testimony supporting your claim. They can be especially helpful in explaining the context of your service-related disabilities and providing evidence that may not be reflected in medical records alone.

Step 4 – Print, Review, and Sign Your Paperwork

After you receive your completed forms via email, print the entire claim packet, review it for accuracy, and sign where required. Be sure to double-check all entries, including your SSN, to ensure there are no errors or missing details. Accuracy is critical to avoid unnecessary delays in processing.

Attach any hard-copy medical records or additional evidence you want to include, and make sure to have everything organized before mailing.

Submitting Your Claim

Mail your completed claim packet, along with any supporting documents, to the VA using the following address:

Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444

It’s highly recommended to send your claim via certified mail with receipt confirmation to ensure it is securely delivered to the VA. Alternatively, you can file the claim online through the VA portal, or visit a VA regional office to submit it in person.

Step 5 – What Happens After Submission

After you’ve submitted your claim, the VA will begin processing it. You don’t need to take further action unless the VA contacts you for additional information or schedules an exam (also known as a C&P exam) to assess your claim. Be sure not to miss any scheduled exams, as this can delay your claim.

During this waiting period, you can check the status of your claim through the VA’s online portal. ClaimHero’s tools help ensure that your claim is complete and optimized, giving you confidence that the process will go smoothly.