Editorial standards

How we write and check our guides

Our Learning Center guides explain how VA disability claims and appeals work. Here is what they are, where the information comes from, and how we keep it current.

General information, not legal advice

Each guide explains the rules in general. It is not legal advice and does not create any client relationship. What applies to you depends on your records, your decision history and your deadlines. Reading a guide does not extend any VA deadline.

Built from primary sources

We write from the rules themselves, not from summaries on other websites. Every guide lists the sources it relies on, with links, so you can read them yourself. Our sources are:

• Title 38 of the U.S. Code (Veterans' Benefits)
• Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: opinions
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: opinions
• VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual (KnowVA)
• VA.gov: disability compensation

We also use other official VA pages and forms on VA.gov, and precedential decisions of the courts that review VA decisions.

Board decisions are examples only

Decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals apply only to the Veteran in that case and are not binding in other cases. When a guide mentions one, it is to show how a rule has been applied, not to state the rule.

Dated and rechecked

Every guide shows the date it was last checked against VA's regulations and the sources it cites. We recheck a guide when VA's rules, rates or forms change, and update that date when we do.

Report an error

If you think something in a guide is wrong or out of date, email support@claimscopeveterans.com with the page and the part you mean. If you can, include the source that shows the correct rule. Please don't send your own records or claim details. You can also reach us through Help & contact.

ClaimScope is independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs.