VA disability claims glossary

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.

Published 2026-04-02

Not unlimited

Duty to assist ends when further efforts would be futile or when you fail to respond to requests.

Private records

You must often sign releases for private care. VA cannot magic records that require your consent.

Exams

When an exam is necessary to decide a claim, VA generally schedules one.

More resources

Try the VA disability calculator, browse VA condition guides, or read in-depth articles.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Rating criteria are summarized from publicly available 38 CFR regulations. Consult a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney for advice on your specific claim.

Questions about this term

Calculate Your Combined VA Rating

Use our free calculator to estimate combined disability percentage using the same VA math rules used for most claims.