A Fully Developed Claim (FDC) is the VA’s fast-track process for claims that arrive complete, organized, and ready for a rating decision. When you submit an FDC, you certify that you’ve gathered all available evidence and waive the VA’s duty to assist in obtaining records. In return, the VA prioritizes your claim for faster processing—critical in Q4, when holiday schedules compress decision timelines and administrative backlogs grow.
But speed only happens if your evidence packet is genuinely ready. A mislabeled document, missing form, or incomplete medical opinion can kick your claim back to standard processing, adding months to your wait. Here’s how to assemble an evidence packet that moves.
FDC Overview and Q4 Realities
The Fully Developed Claim program was designed to reduce processing times by eliminating the back-and-forth between veterans and the VA. When you file an FDC, you’re telling the VA: “I’ve gathered every record, exam, and statement I can obtain. Please decide now.”
In exchange, the VA aims to decide FDCs 30–60 days faster than standard claims. However, Q4 introduces unique delays:
- Reduced staffing: Regional Offices (ROs) run skeleton crews during Thanksgiving week and the last two weeks of December
- Compressed mail processing: USPS volume spikes, and VA mail centers slow scanning and docketing
- End-of-year backlogs: Veterans rush to file before December 31, overwhelming intake queues
An FDC submitted in early October can be decided by mid-November. The same claim submitted in mid-December may not be opened until late January.
When to use the FDC program
FDCs work best when:
- You have all service treatment records (STRs), VA treatment notes, and private medical opinions in hand
- You’ve already obtained necessary exams (or don’t need them—e.g., lay evidence is sufficient)
- Your case is straightforward and well-documented
FDCs are not ideal when:
- You know records exist but haven’t received them yet
- You’re waiting on an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) or nexus letter
- Your service records were destroyed or are incomplete, and you need the VA’s help reconstructing them
Evidence Blueprint: Exams, DBQs, and Lay Statements
A complete evidence packet contains three types of evidence: medical, administrative, and testimonial. Each serves a distinct purpose.
1. Medical evidence
This is the backbone of your claim. Include:
- Service treatment records (STRs): Documentation of in-service diagnosis, injury, or treatment. If your STRs are incomplete, request them via FOIA before filing.
- VA treatment records: Recent notes from VA providers showing current severity and ongoing treatment.
- Private medical opinions: IMOs or nexus letters from board-certified clinicians linking your condition to service. These must include:
- Clinician’s credentials and specialty
- A review of your service and treatment history
- A clear opinion: “It is at least as likely as not that [condition] is related to [in-service event]”
- Citations to medical literature supporting the opinion
- Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs): While the VA no longer accepts veteran-submitted DBQs for most conditions, you can include private DBQs from qualified clinicians for certain claims (check current VA policy).
2. Administrative evidence
Forms and official records that establish dates, identity, and claim details:
- DD-214: Proof of service dates, character of discharge, and eligibility
- Marriage certificate, birth certificates: If claiming dependent benefits
- VA Form 21-526EZ: The main application for disability compensation
- VA Form 21-4138: Statement in Support of Claim (use this for detailed explanations or to correct errors)
3. Testimonial evidence
Lay statements from you, family members, or service buddies describing:
- In-service events: Injuries, illnesses, or stressors you witnessed or experienced
- Continuity of symptoms: How your condition has affected you since separation
- Current severity: Daily limitations, missed work, or impact on relationships
A strong lay statement is specific and dated. Instead of “My knee hurts all the time,” write: “Since my 2015 parachute landing injury, I can’t kneel to play with my kids. I’ve missed 15 days of work this year due to swelling and pain.”
Packaging: File Naming, Index Sheets, and Summaries
A well-organized evidence packet saves the rating specialist time—and reduces the chance your evidence will be overlooked or misinterpreted.
Create a cover sheet
Your cover sheet should include:
- Your full name, date of birth, and VA file number (or SSN)
- Claim type (initial, supplemental, appeal)
- Conditions claimed
- A brief statement: “This is a Fully Developed Claim. All available evidence is enclosed.”
Build an exhibit index
List every document by exhibit letter or number, type, and date. Example:
Exhibit Index
A. Service Treatment Records, 2010–2015
B. VA Treatment Records, 2020–2025
C. Private Nexus Letter, Dr. Jane Smith, Orthopedic Surgeon, September 20, 2025
D. Lay Statement, John Doe (Service Buddy), October 1, 2025
E. Lay Statement, Veteran, October 2, 2025
F. DD-214, Honorable Discharge, June 2015
Use clear file naming (for digital uploads)
If submitting via VA.gov, name your PDFs descriptively:
Smith_John_STR_2010-2015.pdfSmith_John_Nexus_Letter_Dr_Jones_2025-09-20.pdfSmith_John_Lay_Statement_2025-10-02.pdf
Avoid generic names like Document1.pdf or Scan_001.pdf—these make it harder for rating specialists to locate key evidence.
Add a one-page summary (optional but powerful)
A summary page can guide the rating specialist through complex claims. Structure it by condition:
Claim Summary
Condition 1: Right Knee Osteoarthritis (Secondary to Service-Connected Ankle Injury)
– In-service event: Parachute landing injury, June 2012 (see STR, Exhibit A, pages 14–16)
– Current diagnosis: Osteoarthritis, right knee, confirmed by VA orthopedist (Exhibit B, page 5)
– Nexus: Dr. Smith’s opinion (Exhibit C) establishes causation
– Lay evidence: Veteran statement (Exhibit E) describes progression since 2012Condition 2: PTSD
– In-service stressor: Combat deployment, Afghanistan, 2013 (DD-214, Exhibit F)
– Current diagnosis: PTSD, confirmed by VA psychiatrist (Exhibit B, page 12)
– Lay evidence: Spouse statement (Exhibit D) describes symptoms since 2014
Submission Channels and Confirmation
You have three ways to submit an FDC, each with different Q4 considerations.
1. VA.gov online upload (recommended)
Log into VA.gov, navigate to Disability > File for a VA Disability Increase, and select “Fully Developed Claim.” Upload your evidence packet as PDFs.
Pros: Instant confirmation, no mail delays, documents are associated with your file within 3–5 business days
Cons: 50 MB file size limit per upload; requires a scanner or high-quality phone camera
Q4 tip: Upload on Monday or Tuesday morning to avoid weekend processing delays. Avoid uploading on December 23–January 2 if possible—docketing slows significantly.
2. Certified mail to your Regional Office
Find your RO’s address on VA.gov. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to prove delivery.
Pros: Paper trail, no file size limits
Cons: 7–14 day delivery; December mail is notoriously slow
Q4 tip: If mailing in December, use Priority Mail Express to bypass holiday delays. Track your package and call the RO if it’s not scanned within 10 business days.
3. In-person submission at a VA Regional Office
Bring your packet to your local RO and request a date-stamped receipt.
Pros: Immediate proof of submission
Cons: Requires travel; offices may have reduced hours in late December
Q4 tip: Call ahead to confirm holiday hours. Some ROs close the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Post-Submission Tracking and Follow-Up
Submitting your FDC is only half the battle. Confirming it’s in the system—and moving—is essential.
Check VA.gov within one week
Log into your account and view your Claims and Appeals tracker. You should see:
- Your claim in “Evidence Gathering” or “Preparation for Decision” status
- A list of uploaded documents (for online submissions)
If your claim doesn’t appear within 7 business days, call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and request confirmation.
Save your proof
Keep copies of:
- Upload confirmation screens (screenshot them)
- Certified mail receipts and green cards
- Date-stamped receipts from in-person submissions
If the VA claims it never received your evidence, this proof is your only recourse.
Follow up if your claim stalls
FDCs should move to a decision within 60–90 days. If your claim sits in “Evidence Gathering” for more than 90 days, call the VA and ask:
- “Is my claim still flagged as Fully Developed?”
- “Are you waiting on any additional evidence?”
- “When can I expect a decision?”
If the VA converted your FDC to a standard claim (because evidence was missing), you can submit the missing records and request expedited processing.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Pitfall 1: Claiming “Fully Developed” when records are still missing
Solution: If you’ve requested STRs via FOIA but haven’t received them, wait. Filing an incomplete FDC converts it to standard processing—negating the speed benefit.
Pitfall 2: Uploading unreadable scans
Solution: Use a scanner (not a phone camera) for text-heavy documents. Check that every page is legible before uploading. A blurry nexus letter is useless.
Pitfall 3: Mixing FDC and standard claims
Solution: If you’re claiming multiple conditions and only some have complete evidence, file separate claims—FDC for the ready conditions, standard for the rest.
Pitfall 4: Forgetting to sign forms
Solution: Double-check that VA Form 21-526EZ and any supplemental forms are signed and dated. Unsigned forms delay processing.
Pitfall 5: Submitting evidence for the wrong claim
Solution: If you have multiple active claims, clearly label your evidence packet with the claim type and conditions. Use your claim number if you have it.
Your Q4 FDC Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your evidence packet is complete and ready to move:
- ☐ Gather all service treatment records, VA treatment notes, and private medical opinions
- ☐ Confirm you have no outstanding FOIA requests or pending exams
- ☐ Draft and finalize lay statements from yourself, family, and service buddies
- ☐ Create a cover sheet with your identifying information
- ☐ Build an exhibit index listing every document by type and date
- ☐ Organize documents by condition (if claiming multiple conditions)
- ☐ Use clear file naming for digital uploads
- ☐ Sign and date all required forms (especially VA Form 21-526EZ)
- ☐ Submit via VA.gov before mid-November to avoid holiday delays
- ☐ Save upload confirmation screens, mail receipts, or date-stamped receipts
- ☐ Check VA.gov within 7 days to confirm receipt
- ☐ Follow up if your claim doesn’t move within 90 days
Need help organizing your evidence packet? Download our FDC packet index template to standardize your submission and avoid common mistakes—get your free template here.