Learn How to Fill the VA Form 21-526 Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension
VA Form 21-526 - Veteran's Application For Compensation And/Or Pension
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526-are.pdf
VA Form 21-526b - Veteran's Supplemental Claim for Compensation (Fillable)
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526b-ARE.pdf
The VA Form 21-526 is available on the United States Department of Veteran Affairs website.
Boxes 1 and 2 require that you identify the compensation you are applying for and any previous applications for compensation.
1. In box 1, you should seek compensation if you have suffered an injury or illness while in the military.
2. You should seek a pension claim if you are over 65 years old with a disability, served on active duty during at least one day of a period of war, and your income and net worth does not exceed the limits outline by the Veterans Affairs office.
Next, boxes 3 through 9 require your basic identification information.
Boxes 10 through 18 require information about past benefits applications, a history of your injuries, and your medical treatment history.
3. You should provide a detailed history of all medical events that occurred during your military service.
4. Ensure that you give as much specific information as possible in box 11. You can add additional information in the blank box at the end of the form if you need more space.
Parts III through V require that you supply your service information.
5. Part V requires that you supply your military retired and severance pay.
Part VI requires your marital status and dependency information, which will be used to determine the type of benefits you are entitled.
6. Ensure that you include all of your marriage history and all dependents for which you support in the appropriate boxes.
Parts VII through X require your financial information for evaluation of your benefits.
7. In Parts VII, VIII and IV, do not leave any boxes blank, even if they do not apply to you or your spouse. Fill in a zero if you do not receive the benefit.
Complete the form by certifying all of the information in Part XII and consent to the release form that allows Veterans Affairs to review your information.
8. Send in the VA Form 21-526 to the address supplied by the VA.
Evidence to Send VA
- Your DD214 or other separation papers for all periods of service unless you are filing a Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start claim while on active duty or full-time duty.
- Copies of medical records you have
- Medical evidence showing you currently have this disability
- Medical evidence indicating that the disability was caused by or arose during your active service
- If you are filing a Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start claim, you must send a copy, or original, of your service treatment records to the specified Regional Office to process your claim. Please call toll-free 1-800-827-1000 for the address to send your service treatment records.
- Copies of your marriage certificate and all divorce decrees (May be required in some cases)
- Provide copies of birth records, adoption papers or court orders and Social Security cards for your dependent children, copies of the court records for adoption for each adopted child (May be required in some cases; copies do not need to be certified).
VA Form 21-526 - Veteran's Application For Compensation And/Or Pension
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526-are.pdf
VA Form 21-526b - Veteran's Supplemental Claim for Compensation (Fillable)
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526b-ARE.pdf
The VA Form 21-526 is available on the United States Department of Veteran Affairs website.
Boxes 1 and 2 require that you identify the compensation you are applying for and any previous applications for compensation.
1. In box 1, you should seek compensation if you have suffered an injury or illness while in the military.
2. You should seek a pension claim if you are over 65 years old with a disability, served on active duty during at least one day of a period of war, and your income and net worth does not exceed the limits outline by the Veterans Affairs office.
Next, boxes 3 through 9 require your basic identification information.
Boxes 10 through 18 require information about past benefits applications, a history of your injuries, and your medical treatment history.
3. You should provide a detailed history of all medical events that occurred during your military service.
4. Ensure that you give as much specific information as possible in box 11. You can add additional information in the blank box at the end of the form if you need more space.
Parts III through V require that you supply your service information.
5. Part V requires that you supply your military retired and severance pay.
Part VI requires your marital status and dependency information, which will be used to determine the type of benefits you are entitled.
6. Ensure that you include all of your marriage history and all dependents for which you support in the appropriate boxes.
Parts VII through X require your financial information for evaluation of your benefits.
7. In Parts VII, VIII and IV, do not leave any boxes blank, even if they do not apply to you or your spouse. Fill in a zero if you do not receive the benefit.
Complete the form by certifying all of the information in Part XII and consent to the release form that allows Veterans Affairs to review your information.
8. Send in the VA Form 21-526 to the address supplied by the VA.
Evidence to Send VA
- Your DD214 or other separation papers for all periods of service unless you are filing a Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start claim while on active duty or full-time duty.
- Copies of medical records you have
- Medical evidence showing you currently have this disability
- Medical evidence indicating that the disability was caused by or arose during your active service
- If you are filing a Benefits Delivery at Discharge or Quick Start claim, you must send a copy, or original, of your service treatment records to the specified Regional Office to process your claim. Please call toll-free 1-800-827-1000 for the address to send your service treatment records.
- Copies of your marriage certificate and all divorce decrees (May be required in some cases)
- Provide copies of birth records, adoption papers or court orders and Social Security cards for your dependent children, copies of the court records for adoption for each adopted child (May be required in some cases; copies do not need to be certified).