ClaimScope for Veterans

Free · no account needed

Protect today's date before you file your VA claim.

An intent to file tells VA you plan to claim benefits. You then have up to one year to file the complete claim, and if VA grants it, your benefits can start from the date VA received your intent to file instead of the date you finally file.

File your intent to file

It holds your date

Months of gathering records won't cost you months of back pay.

It's not a claim

Nothing is decided. You still file the full claim (VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation) within a year.

Do it now

It takes about ten minutes. The date counts from when VA receives it, so don't wait until your evidence is ready.

Three ways to file it

Option 1

Online at VA.gov

Fastest. Sign in with a verified account and start a disability claim (or submit VA's online intent-to-file form); VA records your intent to file right away.

Open VA.gov

Option 2

By phone

Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 and say you want to file an intent to file. Ask for the date VA records, and write it down.

Call 800-827-1000

Option 3: mail the form or bring it in

Fill in VA Form 21-0966

The form is filled in on your device. Nothing you type here is sent to ClaimScope or saved.

Have you ever filed a VA claim?
I intend to file for

Don't let the year run out

After you file your intent to file, tell us the date and we'll email you three months, one month and two weeks before your claim is due. Three emails, nothing else, and you can stop anytime.

Your complete claim would be due by October 18, 2027.

Why this is free. Federal law doesn't allow VA-accredited attorneys to charge for help with a claim before VA's first decision, and ClaimScope doesn't. This page is a free tool, not legal representation, and using it doesn't make ClaimScope your representative. A Veterans Service Organization can also help you file for free. Survivors filing for DIC or survivors pension: use VA.gov or call VA; this form helper covers Veterans only.

Next: build the claim itself.

The free claim kit fills in VA Form 21-526EZ, writes a letter for your doctor, and lays out the evidence VA will look for on each condition, before your year runs out. Once you file, turn on the free Decision Alert and we'll check in while VA decides.

Build my free claim kit