VA’s New Standardized Forms and Intent to File a Claim

Posted by Gregory M. Rada | Disability Compensation,Legal Update

VA’s requirement to use standardized forms to start claims and appeals has gone into effect as of March 25, 2015. In addition, the VA’s new “Intent to File a Claim” process replaced the old “informal claims” process. I’ve already discussed the details of the new standardized forms requirement here, as well as the intent to file a claim process here, so I’ve summarized the main points after the break.

• New claims for disability compensation must be filed on a VA Form 21-526EZ
• Notice of disagreements must be filed on VA Form 21-0958
• If you know you’re going to file a claim, but aren’t yet ready to actually file, you must use the intent to file a claim process instead of the old informal claim process

Each of the links below will take you to VA’s website which explains each of the above concepts in more detail:

• New Requirements for Filing a New Disability Compensation Claim
• New Requirements for Starting a Notice of Disagreement
• How to Communicate an Intent to File a Claim to VA