Often overlooked, an intent to file (also known as VA Form 21-0966) is an important step in beginning your claim for VA compensation. The intent to file gives you additional time of up to a year to gather evidence to support your claim before filing. This will help get you the earliest effective date possible for any benefits awarded resulting from the first formal claim filed after the filing of your intent to file. Since the effective date will determine how much back pay you will receive, this is one of the easiest methods to maximize your compensation.
Since you can only file one intent to file at a time and it can only be used for the first claim filed, it is important to make sure that you claim includes every condition that you may want compensation, even ones that require additional development. If for some reason you discover that you have additional conditions for which you want to apply, but were not included in the first claim filed after your intent to file, you can either submit another intent to file while you develop your claim or go ahead and file.
More information on an intent to file as well as the VA Form 21-0966 can be found here.
If you have medical conditions which you believe are the result of your military service and are unsure how to proceed, the qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys at Gardberg and Kemmerly want to help in any way possible. Please call our office and speak with one of our qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys. Gardberg and Kemmerly is committed to helping injured and disabled Veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. If you need help with a disability claim, call the office at 251-343-1111 or 800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama. We would love an opportunity to discuss your claim.