7 Most Important VA Forms (and How to Use Them)

This week, CCK breaks down the most important VA forms veterans should know about. VA has a form for seemingly everything, so we've rounded up 7 of the most important forms for this presentation. Learn about applying for VA benefits, individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits, appeal forms under VA's new appeals system (the Appeals Modernization Act), forms to boost evidence in your case, and forms regarding your dependents that could affect VA overpayments.

Table of Contents:
0:50 VA Form 21-526EZ: Application for VA Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits & What to Use it For
02:03 Submitting Evidence, Standard Claims, and Fully Developed Claims
03:04 Submitting the 21-526EZ Application for VA Disability Benefits
3:30 No Representative Can Charge Fees for Helping Veterans File VA Disability Claims
4:20 VA Form 21-8940: Veterans’ Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (TDIU)
4:40 What Kinds of Questions Must Veterans Answer on the 8940?
5:25 What Exactly is Individual Unemployability, and How Do Veterans Qualify?
6:45 What if a Veteran Does NOT use the 8940 Unemployability Form?
7:04 Why Does VA Ask These Questions?
8:05 What if a Veteran Needs More Space Than the Form Allows?
8:41 VA Form 20-0995 Supplemental Claim and What This Appeal Option Means
9:55 At What Stage Can Veterans Use the Supplemental Claim Form?
10:20 Evidence Submission and VA’s Duty to Assist with Supplemental Claims
11:35 Time Limits for VA Supplemental Claim Submissions
12:16 VA Form 20-0996 Higher-Level Review and What This Option Means
13:02 Can Veterans Submit New Evidence in the Higher-Level Review Option?
14:10 When Can a Veteran File a Higher-Level Review Appeal?
14:49 Informal Conferences
16:55 VA Form 10182: Decision Review Request: Board of Veterans Appeals
17:32 Where to File a VA Board Appeal Form
18:11 Three Lanes to Choose From: Direct Review Docket, Evidence Submission Docket, and Hearing Docket
19:24 When Veterans Can Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals and How Long You Have
21:24 Deadlines When Appealing to the Board
21:54 VA Form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim (Lay Evidence, Buddy Statements) and What it is Used For
23:10 Examples of How to Use This Form to Support Your VA Claim
24:33 Statements Specifically for PTSD Claims- VA Form 21-0781: Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD
25:05 VA Form 21-686c: Declaration Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents; Additional VA Compensation for Dependents
26:18 What Questions Does the Form Ask? What Kinds of Documents Will You Need?
27:35 What This Form Can be Used For
28:03 What Happens if You Don’t Add or Remove Dependents Appropriately?

Feel free to ask questions, give us feedback, or request new veterans' law topics below! And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss future videos. Visit our website at cck-law.com.