Filing a VA disability claim isn’t something you want to rush — but it also doesn’t have to take forever.
With a little preparation up front, you can submit a stronger claim, avoid unnecessary delays, and feel more confident about what you’re sending in.
Here’s your step-by-step checklist to get everything ready before you hit submit.
✅ 1. Know What You’re Claiming
Start by listing the condition(s) you plan to file for. Be specific.
Examples:
- PTSD from deployment
- Lower back pain from training injuries
- Hearing loss from equipment exposure
- Migraines secondary to another condition
If you’re not sure where to start, Woobie’s VA Benefits Guide can help you clarify.
✅ 2. Confirm Your Diagnosis
For each condition, you’ll need medical proof that:
- You’ve been diagnosed by a qualified provider
- The condition is ongoing (not resolved or cured)
If you don’t have a diagnosis yet, schedule an appointment first. VA won’t rate a condition without one.
✅ 3. Build the Service Connection
Ask yourself: How is this connected to your time in the military?
You’ll need:
- Service treatment records, if available
- A nexus letter (if connection isn’t obvious)
- Your own statement explaining what happened, when, and how it started
Use Woobie’s Nexus Letter Guide if you need help bridging the gap.
✅ 4. Gather Supporting Documents
Include any documentation that backs up your claim:
- Private or VA medical records
- Treatment logs or appointment summaries
- Buddy statements
- Prior claim decisions (if reapplying or appealing)
The stronger your file upfront, the faster your claim moves — and the fewer follow-up requests you’ll get.
✅ 5. Write a Personal Statement (Optional, but Powerful)
This is your opportunity to explain how the condition affects your life — work, sleep, family, mobility, mood, etc.
It’s not about drama. It’s about details.
Woobie can help you craft this through the Claims Accelerator if you need backup.
✅ 6. Double-Check for Secondary Claims
If one condition is causing another — like:
- PTSD leading to migraines
- Back pain causing sleep issues
- Medication triggering side effects
…then you may be eligible for a secondary service connection. This can boost your rating and better reflect your lived experience.
✅ 7. Estimate Your Potential Rating
Before filing, it helps to know where your numbers might land — especially if you’re close to a threshold like 50%, 70%, or 100%.
Use the VA Disability Calculator to:
- Test different combinations of conditions
- See how VA math works
- Estimate monthly compensation
It’s free, fast, and built by veterans.
✅ 8. Decide How You Want to File
You can file:
- Online via VA.gov
- In person at a regional office
- With a VSO
- Through a support team like Woobie
Each method has pros and cons — what matters is that your evidence is clear, and you have support if something goes sideways.
✅ 9. Prepare for a C&P Exam
After filing, the VA may schedule a Compensation & Pension exam to assess your condition.
Prep by:
- Reviewing your symptoms
- Writing down examples of impact
- Gathering medications or treatment notes
- Reading our guide: How to Prepare for Your C&P Exam
Final Step: Breathe, Then File
You’ve done the hard part — getting clear, getting organized, and getting ready. Now it’s time to take the step.
If you’re ready, we’re here to walk it with you. Start your journey in the Claims Accelerator and we’ll take it from there.
This isn’t just a claim.
It’s your story — structured, supported, and finally ready to be seen.
You’re not just filing.
You’re forwarding the life you earned.