Understand your starting point
Start with the question you have: a first claim, another condition, an increase, a pending claim, or a decision you disagree with. A filing purpose, a service-connection theory, and a processing stage are different things.
Why this matters
The right questions and official resources depend on your situation. An increase for worsening and review of a prior denial are not interchangeable.
What to do next
Choose a learning starting point, or open accredited help now.
Useful information and where each action happens
Information that may be useful
- Whether VA has already decided the particular issue, and what the actual notice says.
- Whether the question concerns a new condition, a worsening rated condition, or a claimed secondary relationship.
- For pre-discharge questions: full-time active-duty status, the known separation date, exam availability, and the current BDD instructions.
Inside VetComp Planner
- Select a learning path and jump to the relevant step; browsing does not require a saved plan.
- Compare canonical explanations in the VA Claims Guide without selecting a legal filing strategy for you.
On an official site or with a representative
- Ask a VA-accredited representative about the route that fits your own issue. VA-accredited VSO claims assistance is free; attorneys and claims agents may charge permitted fees.
- For BDD, check the 180–90 day window, availability for exams within 45 days, and SHA Part A requirement. For online BDD, VA says it obtains service treatment records; non-online applicants provide copies. Follow the dedicated instructions and any special-handling limitations.
Worked fictional example: Alex
Alex — Fictional Georgia Veteran already has a 20% lower-back award and is preparing a direct claim for a different right-knee condition that has not been decided. This is not a request to turn a prior knee denial into a new issue.
Show the complete fictional Georgia exampleMy learning and planning progress
You are browsing. Path and step changes remain in this page until you choose to keep them locally.
Saving a plan here does not notify VA, establish an intent to file, or protect an effective date.
Official sources and review context
Section reviewed through . Follow current official instructions and actual notices.
- Types of disability claims and when to file (official information, opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Reviewed
- Supplemental Claims (official information, opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Reviewed
- Pre-discharge claims and Benefits Delivery at Discharge (official information, opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Reviewed
- Find a VA-accredited representative (official information, opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · Reviewed