Step-by-step paths
Each path takes one situation from the first step to the last. At every step you get three ways forward: do it yourself on the official tool, get free official help, or use your own AI assistant with our instructions.
What these paths are: the same general steps for everyone, each backed by VA's own wording. They are general education, not legal advice. This site does not:
- Give individualized legal or medical advice
- Calculate your eligibility or rating
- Tell you which review option to choose for your specific case
- Prepare claims or appeals on your behalf
For those, each step shows how to reach a free accredited representative.
Choose a path
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Filing your first VA disability claim
From deciding to file through reading your decision, one step at a time.
Being rebuilt
We could not confirm every step of these paths word for word on the official pages, so they are off until we can:
- Understanding your VA decision
- Transitioning from military service
- Resources for Veteran caregivers and families
Additional resources
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VA Claims Glossary
Common terms and definitions for understanding VA claims