Step 1 of 8
Your Legal Name
Exactly as it appears on your DD-214 or Social Security card — not a nickname. A mismatch is one of the most common reasons a claim gets kicked back.

If you've legally changed your name since service, enter your current legal name — we'll handle the prior-name paperwork with you.

Step 2 of 8
Date Of Birth & SSN
The VA uses these to locate your service and medical records. Your date of birth is required. Your SSN is optional here — but the VA needs it or your file number on every form, so giving it now saves us from chasing you for it later.
Your SSN is encrypted the moment it leaves this page and is stored separately from the rest of your file. It is never emailed, never texted, never shown to anyone in full, and never used for anything except completing your VA forms.

If you enter it, use all nine digits. Prefer not to put it here? Leave it blank — your claims specialist will collect it another way.

Step 3 of 8
Mailing Address
Where the VA should send decisions and correspondence. Use an address where you reliably get mail.
Housing Situation *

The VA prioritizes claims from veterans who are homeless or at risk. Answering honestly can move your claim up the queue — it will never count against you.

If mail is unreliable right now, tell us how to reach you and we'll use that instead.

Step 4 of 8
How We Reach You
This is where your completed claim package and status updates go.

Use the same email you paid with if you can — it keeps your file linked to your account.

Step 5 of 8
Service Dates & Separation
Entry, separation, and where you separated from. These three go on every form we file — your DD-214 has all of them.

Close is better than blank. If you're not certain of the exact day, use the first of the month — we'll confirm against your DD-214.

The base or installation you separated from — your DD-214 lists the station where you were separated. City and state is enough.

Only matters if your records are filed under a different name than the one above.

Are you currently activated on federal orders (Guard or Reserve)?
Were you exposed to any of these during service?

Toxic exposure can make a condition presumptive — meaning the VA has to consider it service-connected without you proving the cause. Worth a moment if any of it sounds familiar.

Check everything that applies

Approximate months and years are fine. The location matters more than the exact date.

Step 6 of 8
Medical Treatment
Have you seen any medical provider for the conditions you're claiming — VA or private?
Where Have You Been Treated?

One entry per place. General location is fine — "VA Reno" or "urgent care in Bozeman" works. Approximate dates are fine too.

That's common, and it doesn't sink your claim. We'll cover what evidence to build and whether an exam or a private medical opinion makes sense for you.

Step 7 of 8
Your Documents
Upload anything you have. Every document you give us is one less thing the VA has to go find — and one less reason to delay your claim.
VA Decision Letters
Add Decision Letters
Any past VA rating decision, denial, or award letter.
Required for a Supplemental Claim.
Tap to choose files, or drag them here.
Medical Records & Other Evidence
Add Medical Records
Treatment notes, test results, DD-214, nexus letters, buddy statements.
Tap to choose files, or drag them here.

PDF, JPG, PNG, HEIC, DOC, or DOCX · up to 25 MB per file · up to 20 files. Photos of paper documents are fine as long as the text is readable.

Filing a Supplemental? We need your VA decision letters. They let us confirm your documents line up with your current claim status, which is what cuts down the back-and-forth with the VA. Only filing a new claim? Then they're optional. Don't have them handy? Reply to your confirmation email as soon as you can.

Medical records and other evidence can follow later — just reply to your intake confirmation email.

Last Step
Review & Submit
Check every line. This is what goes on your VA forms — a typo here becomes a typo the VA has to reconcile.

Questions before you submit? Call 1 530-426-2509. See our privacy policy and data security policy.