MyVAClaimGuide

Free Help Filing a VA Disability Claim

DIY 10-step guide, free VSO help, or accredited representation — three clear paths so you can file (or fix) your claim without paying claim sharks.

DIY With a Roadmap

Our free 10-step guide walks you through the entire process — from filing your Intent to File to protecting your final rating. Built by a veteran who went 10% to 100% P&T.

  • Completely free, no strings attached
  • Covers all forms, evidence, and exam tips
  • Best for first-time claims & increases
Start Step 1: Lock Your Backpay Date

Free Professional Help

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) provide free, accredited claims assistance. The DAV, VFW, and American Legion have trained representatives in most counties.

  • 100% free — funded by donations
  • VA-accredited representatives
  • Best for veterans who want guidance
Find VSOs & Free Resources

Paid Professional Help

VA-accredited attorneys and nexus letter services can strengthen complex claims. Most work on contingency — you only pay if you win.

  • Contingency-based (no upfront cost)
  • Nexus letters from medical specialists
  • Best for appeals & complex claims
Learn About Nexus Letters & Attorneys

How to get help filing a VA disability claim

If you need help with a VA disability claim, start with the decision that protects your money: file an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) as soon as you can. That locks an effective date while you gather evidence or wait for a VSO appointment. Skipping this step is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes veterans make.

Next, decide who will help you build the claim. Many veterans file themselves with a clear roadmap. Others want a free accredited advocate. Some need an attorney after a denial or for a complex secondary claim. The three paths above are real options — none of them is “required” by the VA, and the VA does not charge you to file.

  1. Protect your date with Intent to File, then collect diagnosis and service records (Step 3).
  2. Line up lay evidence and buddy letters if needed (Step 4).
  3. File when the package is ready (Step 6: filing your claim), or bring that package to a VSO so they are not starting from zero.

This site is educational, not legal advice. For representation, use a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.

The First Lesson: Why Claims Get Denied

Before you pick a path, understand this: most VA claim denials aren’t because the veteran isn’t disabled. They’re because the claim was missing one of three critical elements known as the Caluza Triangle.

1

Current Diagnosis

A doctor must confirm you have the condition right now.

2

In-Service Event

Evidence that something happened during your military service.

3

Medical Nexus

A medical opinion linking your diagnosis to your service.

Miss any one of these three pillars and your claim gets denied — no matter how real your disability is. Understanding the Caluza Triangle is the difference between filing a claim and filing a stronger claim.

Deep Dive: The Caluza Triangle (Step 2 of Our Guide)

Free VA claim assistance vs paid help

Free help usually means a VSO representative or doing the claim yourself with good instructions. VSOs are funded to represent veterans at no charge. They can help you choose forms, submit evidence, and respond to VA requests. Wait times vary by county — which is why locking your Intent to File first still matters.

Paid help (VA-accredited attorneys or agents) is most useful when the claim is contested: Board appeals, complicated secondary chains, or a pattern of denials. Fees are regulated; many work on contingency against past-due benefits. Private nexus letters are a separate cost and are not the same as hiring representation.

A practical rule of thumb: if this is your first claim and the evidence is straightforward, start free (guide + VSO). If you already have a denial letter or a tangled medical history, read what to do after a denial before signing a fee agreement. No path guarantees a rating or a dollar amount.

What to prepare before you ask for help

Whether you walk into a VSO office or follow the DIY guide, showing up prepared changes the conversation. Bring (or start collecting):

  • A current diagnosis for each condition you intend to claim — not just old service treatment notes.
  • Evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness (records, orders, incident reports, or consistent lay statements).
  • A plan for nexus when the link is not obvious — see how nexus letters work and medical evidence in Step 5.
  • A rough idea of combined ratings with the VA disability calculator so you understand how VA math works (educational estimate only).

Stuck on strategy questions while you gather paperwork? Try the AI claims assistant for educational walkthroughs, then verify anything important with a VSO or accredited rep.

Quick Links: Jump to What You Need

Step 1: Lock your backpay date (5 min)Step 2: Understand the Caluza TriangleStep 5: Get a nexus letterStep 7: Survive the C&P examTool: VA Disability CalculatorStep 9: Appeal a denial

Related tools & guides

AI claims assistant

Ask educational questions about forms, evidence, and next steps.

VA disability calculator

Estimate combined ratings with VA math (not an official VA tool).

State veteran benefits

Property tax, education, and other state benefits that stack with VA disability.

Nexus letter guide

What a strong nexus opinion includes and when veterans typically need one.

VA claim denied — what to do next

HLR, supplemental claims, and how to choose your next move after a denial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VA claim help free?

Yes — there are multiple free options. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like the DAV, VFW, and American Legion provide free claims assistance. Our 10-Step VA Disability Guide is also completely free. The VA itself does not charge veterans for filing claims. Paid options like VA-accredited attorneys and nexus letter services exist, but they are never required.

Who can help me file a VA disability claim?

You can file yourself using our filing guide, work with a free VSO (see community resources), or hire a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent. Only VA-accredited representatives may charge fees for claims work. Friends and family can help gather records, but they cannot formally represent you before the VA unless they are accredited.

How do I get free help with a VA disability claim?

Start with an Intent to File to protect your effective date, then contact a local VSO through the VA accredited representative search or organizations like DAV, VFW, or American Legion. You can also follow our free 10-step roadmap while you wait for an appointment.

How do I find a VSO near me?

Use the VA’s official Accredited Representative search tool at va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative. You can filter by location and organization. The DAV, VFW, and American Legion have offices in most counties. You can also call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask to be connected with a local VSO.

Can I file a VA claim myself?

Absolutely. Many veterans successfully file their own claims — especially Fully Developed Claims (FDCs), which often move faster. Our 10-Step Guide walks you through the process from Intent to File through protecting your final rating. The key is the Caluza Triangle: current diagnosis, in-service event, and medical nexus.

What is the Caluza Triangle?

The Caluza Triangle is the three-part test every VA disability claim must pass: (1) a current medical diagnosis, (2) evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness, and (3) a medical nexus — a doctor’s opinion linking the two. Named after Caluza v. Brown (1995). Read the full walkthrough in Step 2 of the guide.

Should I hire a VA disability attorney?

It depends on your situation. For straightforward first-time claims, a VSO or self-filing with proper evidence is often enough. Attorneys are most valuable for appeals, complex secondary claims, or repeated denials. If you were denied, start with what to do after a VA claim denial and our appeals process guide. VA-accredited attorneys typically work on contingency (often a percentage of back pay if you win). This is educational information, not legal advice.

How long does it take to get VA disability benefits?

Fully Developed Claims (FDCs) often average about 3–4 months for a decision; standard claims can take longer. Appeals add more time. Filing an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) protects your backpay date while you prepare evidence. Timelines vary — treat these as typical ranges, not guarantees.

Do I need a nexus letter before I ask for help?

Not always. Many veterans start with a VSO or DIY filing and obtain a nexus letter when the claim needs a stronger medical link. For secondary conditions, appeals, or denials for lack of nexus, see our nexus letter guide and Step 5: medical evidence.

JH
Jeremy Hall

Army Veteran. I went through the process myself from 10% to 100% P&T and built this site to share the roadmap with others.

Learn more about the project