VA disability claims glossary
VA Disability Claims Glossary
Short definitions of common VA claims language. Each term links to a longer note and related guides. This information is educational only and is not legal advice.
- 38 CFR
Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains VA disability rating schedules and claims procedures used in adjudication.
- Agent Orange
Agent Orange refers to herbicide exposures in defined locations and eras that can trigger presumptive service connection for listed conditions.
- Bilateral factor
The bilateral factor is an additional combined rating adjustment when certain paired extremities are service connected under regulatory rules.
- Board of Veterans' Appeals
The Board of Veterans' Appeals decides appealed VA cases after higher-level review or supplemental options in the modernized system.
- Buddy statement
A buddy statement is a lay witness letter describing facts the witness personally observed about a veteran's service or symptoms.
- C&P exam
A Compensation and Pension exam is a VA claim exam that documents symptoms and findings to help rate disabilities.
- Combined rating
A combined rating is the overall percentage after VA math merges individual disability ratings into a single value.
- CUE
A Clear and Unmistakable Error claim argues a prior final decision was wrong based on law or fact at the time, with a very high standard.
- DBQ
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire is a structured form clinicians use to record exam findings that map to VA rating criteria.
- Diagnostic code
A diagnostic code is the numeric code VA assigns to a rated condition under 38 CFR Part 4 schedules.
- Duty to assist
Duty to assist is VA's obligation to help obtain relevant records and provide examinations when required by law before a decision.
- Effective date
An effective date is the date VA uses to start paying a benefit when entitlement is granted, governed by claim timing and evidence rules.
- Gulf War illness
Gulf War illness refers to chronic multisymptom illness frameworks tied to qualifying Southwest Asia service under specific VA regulations.
- Higher-level review
Higher-level review asks a senior reviewer to look for certain errors in a prior decision without adding new evidence in most cases.
- Intent to file
An intent to file preserves a potential effective date while a formal claim is finished within the allowed timeframe under current rules.
- Nexus letter
A nexus letter is a medical opinion that explains whether a disability is related to service or to another service connected disability.
- Presumptive conditions
Presumptive service connection applies when law presumes a link between a diagnosis and a qualifying exposure, location, or era of service.
- Rating decision
A rating decision is VA's written determination of service connection, disability percentages, and effective dates for claimed issues.
- Secondary service connection
Secondary service connection recognizes a disability that was caused or aggravated by a service connected disability.
- Service connection
Service connection is the VA determination that a current disability is related to military service, either directly, by aggravation, as a secondary condition, or under a presumption.
- SMC
Special Monthly Compensation is additional payment for specific severe disabilities such as loss of use, aid and attendance needs, or certain combinations.
- Supplemental claim
A supplemental claim is an appeals lane where you submit new and relevant evidence after a decision, subject to regulatory definitions.
- TDIU
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability pays at the 100 percent rate when service connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment under VA rules.
- VA math
VA math is the combined ratings table method the VA uses so multiple disability ratings combine without simple addition.
- VSO
A Veterans Service Organization representative helps veterans file and appeal claims, often at no charge, with accreditation from VA.
Glossary FAQ
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