What Records Do I Need If I Want To Apply For Veterans’ Disability Benefits?

You ask a good question because in order to have a claim for veterans’ disability benefits approved you are going to have to provide evidence of your eligibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Three Types of Records to Have Ready When You Apply

As you prepare your application, it is important to gather your:

Medical records. You may only be granted compensation if you can prove that your injury or condition was created or made worse by your active duty service in the military. To successfully do this, you should provide your medical history, your VA hospital records, your private hospital records, and any other health-related information that is relevant to your case.
Service records. To receive veterans’ benefits, you must verify that you served in the United States military and that you were not dishonorably discharged.
Family records. If you have dependents, such as a spouse or children, you need to provide proof. This might include your children’s birth certificates and your marriage certificate, for example.

Without these records, your veterans’ disability claim may be denied or you may receive an incorrect determination of your disability benefits. While you might have the right to appeal such a decision, it will delay your recovery of benefits unnecessarily. Accordingly, it is important to have all of your records ready when you first apply for veterans’ disability benefits.

Confused About What You Need?

There is an easy way to make sure that all of your paperwork is in order and that the VA has the information it needs to make a fair determination about your eligibility. You have the right to contact an experienced veterans’ disability lawyer who knows what the VA is looking for, who can tell you what documents to gather, and who can make a convincing presentation to the VA on your behalf. For more information about your rights or about how we can help you, please contact us directly via this website or by phone.