Claim Readiness Checker

What VA raters check before approving a claim

Before your claim is rated, VA reviewers look for five things. If any one of them is missing or weak, your claim may be denied or rated lower than it should be. Review each one before you file.

The 5 readiness criteria

• Service connection — You must show that your condition occurred during, or was caused or aggravated by, your active-duty service. Your DD-214 and service treatment records are the foundation here.
• Medical diagnosis — VA needs a current, documented diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider. A symptom description alone is not enough; you need a formal diagnosis in writing.
• Nexus (the link) — This is the bridge between your service and your diagnosis. It can come from your own service treatment records, a private doctor's nexus letter, or a VA examiner's opinion. Without a clear nexus, claims are routinely denied even when the other evidence is solid.
• C&P exam readiness — VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension exam. You need to attend. Bring a written description of your worst days, not your best. The examiner rates based on what you report, so being thorough matters.
• Lay evidence — Your own personal statement and buddy statements from people who witnessed your condition count as evidence. These fill gaps that medical records often miss, especially for mental health and chronic pain claims.

What to do before you file

• Pull your service treatment records through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) or request them via VA Form 10-5345.
• Get a written diagnosis from your private doctor or request a VA exam if you haven't been seen yet.
• If your service records don't clearly show the nexus, ask your doctor to write a nexus letter — one that states your condition is "at least as likely as not" related to your service.
• Write a personal statement describing your symptoms, how they affect your daily life and work, and when they started.
• Ask one or two people who served with you or know you well to write a buddy statement.