VA Form 21-526EZ - Veterans Disability Compensation Evidence Notice - Submitting a Claim

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

Notice explaining what evidence is required to substantiate a claim for veterans’ disability compensation and related compensation benefits. Covers eligibility categories including disability service connection, increased ratings, special monthly and other compensation benefits, and compensation claims submitted before discharge. Directs claimants on when to use the attached application, which VA forms to submit for new, increased, supplemental, or higher-level review, and how electronic filing and the Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program work, including optional participation and required evidence to support decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

NOTICE TO VETERAN/SERVICE MEMBER OF EVIDENCE NECESSARY TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM

When to Use this Form

SUBMITTING A CLAIM

1. HOW TO SUBMIT A CLAIM

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

# NOTICE TO VETERAN/SERVICE MEMBER OF EVIDENCE NECESSARY TO SUBSTANTIATEA CLAIM FORVETERANS DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND RELATED COMPENSATION BENEFITS This notice provides information regarding the evidence necessary to substantiate a claim for: | Disability Service Connection
Compensation Claims Submitted Prior to Discharge
Compensation under 38 U.S.C.1151
Automobile Allowance/Adaptive Equipment
Secondary Service Compensation
Temporary Total Disability Rating | Special Monthly Compensation
Benefits Based on a Veteran's Seriously Disabled Child
Increased Disability Compensation
Individual Unemployability
Specially Adapted Housing/Special Home Adaptation
Presumptive Service Connection | | --- | --- | When to Use this Form Use this notice and the attached application to submit a claim for veterans'disability compensation and related compensation benefits.Thisnotice informs you of the evidence necessary to decide your claim.After you submit your claim on the attached application you will not receivean initial letter regarding your claim.You do not need to submit another application. | If you are filing a new claim or a claim for increased
disability compensation for an evaluation decided
more than one year ago… | please complete and submit VA Form 21-526EZ,
Applicationfor Disability Compensation and Related
Compensation Benefits. | | --- | --- | | Ifyou disagree with an evaluation decided within the
past year and have new and relevant evidence OR
If you are filing a supplemental claim(a claim after an
initial claim for the same or similar benefit was
previously decided)and have new and relevant
evidence.. | please complete and submit VA Form 20-0995,Decision
Review Request:Supplemental Claim** | **You may also file a request for higher-level review(VA Form 20-0996,Decision Review Request:Higher-Level Review)or appeal to the Board of Veterans'Appeals(VA Form 10182,Decision Review Request:Board Appeals (Notice of Disagreement)).For additional information on all of these different options.please visit https://www.va.gov/decision-reviews/. Want to apply electronically?You can apply online at www.va.gov.If you sign in or create an account,we can prefill parts ofyour application andsave your work in progress.You can also upload all your supporting documents with your claim,and submit it through the Fully Developed Claims(FDC)program,then track claim status online.Get Started at https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/. NOTE:You may wish to contact an accredited veterans service officer(VSO)to assist you with your application.For a list of acredited veterans service organizations go to https://www.va.gov/ogc/recognizedysos.asp.You may also contact your state office of veterans affairs at https://www.va.gov/statedva.htm.should vou need further assistance with the application process. Want your claim processed faster?The FDC Program is the fastest way to get your claim processed without any risk to participate!To participate inmaking a claim for veterans disability compensation or related compensation benefits,submit your claim in accordance with the "FDC Program"shownon the following information pages 2 through 8.Ifyou are making aclaim for veterans non service-connected pension benefits,use VA Form21P-527EZ,Application for Pension.If you are making a claim for survivor benefits,use VA Form 21P-534EZ,Application for DIC,Death Pension,and/or Accrued Benefits.VA forms are available at www.va.gov/vaforms.A separate expedited claims processing program available for current activeduty Servicemembers is explained on page 5 under Compensation Claims Submitted Prior to Discharge. NOTE:Participation in the FDC Program is optional and will not affect the benefits to which you are entitled.Ifyou file a claim in the FDC Programand it is determined that other records exist and VA needs the records to decide

FAQs

What evidence is required to substantiate a VA veterans disability compensation claim?

The notice outlines the evidence needed to decide the claim and directs claimants to use the attached application and related information pages for the specific evidence requirements.

Which VA form should you submit when filing a new claim or a claim for increased disability compensation decided more than a year ago?

Submit VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.

What is the difference between the FDC Program and the Standard Claim Process?

The notice explains that FDC is an optional, expedited way to submit relevant evidence and supporting records, while the Standard Claim Process follows VA’s traditional processing approach based on the information and evidence submitted.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo