Easy VA ClaimsVA Claims Glossary
Plain-language definitions for every term you will encounter in the VA disability claims process. No jargon, no acronyms without explanations.
B
Buddy Statement
A buddy statement is a written account from a fellow service member, family member, friend, or anyone who can describe your condition, the event that caused it, or how it affects your daily life. These statements are considered lay evidence and carry real weight in VA claims. They are especially valuable when service treatment records are incomplete.
C
C&P Exam (Compensation & Pension Exam)
A Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is a medical evaluation ordered by the VA as part of the claims process. A VA or contract examiner reviews your records, asks about your symptoms, and may perform a physical exam. The examiner's report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your claim. The exam is not treatment — it is an evaluation for rating purposes.
CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official collection of rules published by federal agencies. Title 38 of the CFR contains all the regulations governing veterans' benefits, including how claims are evaluated, how ratings are assigned, and what evidence is required. When you see references like '38 CFR § 3.303,' it refers to a specific rule in this code.
Combined Rating
When you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA does not simply add the percentages together. Instead, they use a formula called 'VA math' (also known as the combined ratings table). Each new rating is applied to the remaining healthy percentage. For example, a 50% rating plus a 30% rating does not equal 80% — it equals 65% (50% of 100, then 30% of the remaining 50). The final number is rounded to the nearest 10%.
D
DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire)
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is a standardized medical form that captures the clinical findings the VA needs to rate a specific condition. DBQs are used during C&P exams and can also be completed by your private doctor. Each condition has its own DBQ with specific questions about symptoms, severity, and functional impact. Having a completed DBQ from a qualified medical professional can strengthen your claim significantly.
Direct Service Connection
Direct service connection means your current medical condition was directly caused by something that happened during your military service — an injury, an illness, an exposure, or a traumatic event. To establish direct service connection, the VA looks for three things: (1) a current diagnosis, (2) evidence of an in-service event, and (3) a medical nexus linking the two.
Duty to Assist
Under federal law, the VA has a duty to assist veterans in obtaining evidence needed to support their claims. This includes requesting service treatment records, scheduling C&P exams, and making reasonable efforts to obtain relevant medical records. However, the duty to assist has limits — the VA is not required to provide a nexus opinion in every case, and the veteran still bears the burden of submitting a complete claim.
E
Effective Date
The effective date is the date from which the VA calculates your disability compensation. For an original claim, the effective date is typically the date the VA received your claim or the date entitlement arose (whichever is later). Filing an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) can protect an earlier effective date, giving you up to one year to submit your full claim while preserving the earlier date for back pay purposes.
H
Higher-Level Review (HLR)
A Higher-Level Review is one of three options in the VA's Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) decision review process. A more experienced claims adjudicator reviews your case using the evidence already on file. You cannot submit new evidence, but the reviewer can identify errors made in the original decision. HLR is often the fastest appeal option.
I
Intent to File (ITF)
An Intent to File (ITF) is a notification to the VA that you plan to file a claim. By submitting VA Form 21-0966, you establish an effective date up to one year before your actual claim is submitted. This means if your claim is approved, your back pay can go back to the ITF date rather than the date you submitted the full claim. It takes less than a minute to file and can be worth thousands of dollars.
L
Lay Evidence
Lay evidence is any non-expert testimony or documentation that supports your claim. This includes your own written statements about when symptoms started and how they affect your daily life, buddy statements from people who have observed your condition, and other non-medical documentation. The VA is required to consider lay evidence, and it can be decisive when medical records are incomplete.
N
Nexus Letter
A nexus letter is a written medical opinion from a qualified healthcare provider stating that your current condition is 'at least as likely as not' (50% or greater probability) connected to your military service. The letter should include the doctor's credentials, a review of your medical history, and a clear rationale for the opinion. Nexus letters are especially important when there is a gap between service and diagnosis, or when claiming secondary conditions.
P
PACT Act
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 is the largest expansion of VA benefits in decades. It extends eligibility for VA health care and disability compensation to veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act created presumptive conditions for many toxic exposures, meaning veterans no longer need to prove a direct connection between their service and certain conditions.
Presumptive Condition
A presumptive condition is a medical condition that the VA presumes to be connected to military service based on certain criteria — typically where you served, when you served, or what you were exposed to. For presumptive conditions, you do not need to prove a direct nexus between your service and the condition. You only need to show that you served in the qualifying location/time period and that you have the condition. Examples include certain cancers for burn pit-exposed veterans and conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure.
R
Rating Decision
A rating decision is the official document the VA sends after evaluating your claim. It lists each condition you claimed, whether service connection was granted or denied, the disability rating assigned (0% to 100%), and the effective date. The decision letter also explains the evidence considered and the reasons for the decision. If you disagree, you have one year from the date of the letter to file an appeal.
S
Secondary Condition
A secondary condition is a medical condition that was caused by or aggravated by a condition you are already service-connected for. For example, if your service-connected knee injury changed your gait and caused hip problems, the hip condition may qualify as secondary to the knee. Secondary claims require a medical nexus opinion linking the secondary condition to the primary service-connected condition.
Service Connection
Service connection is the fundamental requirement for VA disability compensation. It means the VA has determined that your medical condition is related to your military service. There are three main types: direct service connection (caused by service), secondary service connection (caused by another service-connected condition), and presumptive service connection (automatically assumed based on service circumstances). Without service connection, the VA cannot pay disability compensation.
STRs (Service Treatment Records)
Service Treatment Records (STRs) are the medical records generated during your military service. They include sick call visits, hospitalizations, physical exams, dental records, and any other medical documentation from your time in service. STRs are critical evidence for VA claims because they can establish that an in-service event or condition occurred. If your STRs are missing or incomplete, the VA has a heightened duty to assist, and lay evidence becomes even more important.
Supplemental Claim
A Supplemental Claim is a decision review option where you submit new and relevant evidence that was not part of the original claim. The VA will reconsider your claim based on the new evidence combined with the existing record. This is often the best option when you know what evidence was missing from your original claim — for example, obtaining a nexus letter after a denial for lack of medical nexus.
T
TDIU (Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability)
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a VA benefit that allows veterans who are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities to receive compensation at the 100% rate, even if their combined rating is less than 100%. To qualify, you generally need at least one condition rated at 60% or more, or a combined rating of 70% with at least one condition at 40%. TDIU recognizes that the impact of disabilities on employability may be greater than the rating percentages suggest.
V
VSO (Veterans Service Organization)
A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is a congressionally chartered or VA-recognized organization that provides free assistance to veterans with their claims. Examples include the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion. VSO representatives (called accredited claims agents) can help you prepare and file your claim, represent you in appeals, and access your VA records. Their services are completely free.
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