Next Steps

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers lots of information, including:

• An overview of the VA Disability Compensation program
• A series of videos about a variety of VA programs
• Compensation 101 videos explaining different aspects of VA benefits and services
  • Compensation 101: What is Disability Compensation?
  • Compensation 101: What is Service Connection?
  • Compensation 101: How did I get this rating?
• An annual benefits booklet
• Overviews of its Pre-Discharge and Fully Developed Claims (FDC) programs
• Details about its Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program

If you have a service-connected condition, are still in military service, and have 180 to 90 days until your separation date, you can apply through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program.

If you have already left military service or have less than 90 days left, you can:

• File online, or
• Download VA Form 21-526EZ, print it out, complete it, and submit it
  • By mail to:
    Department of Veterans Affairs
    Claims Intake Center
    PO Box 4444
    Janesville, WI 53547-4444
  • In person at the VA's Detroit Regional Office, or
  • By fax to 1-844-531-7818 if you are in the U.S., or 1-248-524-4260 if outside the U.S.

Filing a claim to get VA Disability Compensation and making sure you get the benefits you are entitled to can be complicated. It is best to get help. The VA authorizes three types of accredited representatives to help with the application process:

• Accredited Service Officers (who do not charge for their services) from VA-recognized veterans service organizations
• Accredited Claims Agents (non-attorneys who may charge for some services), and
• Accredited Attorneys (who usually charge fees).

You can search the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website for accredited representatives, claims agents, and attorneys.

• The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency offers support for veterans and their families. For more details, contact the Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838) or visit the Michigan Veterans website.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has an online database to find an accredited attorney, claims agent, or service officer from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO). It’s easier to search by state than by postal code.
• Contact the VA's Detroit Regional Office.
• The VA's Office of Survivors Assistance at 1-800-827-8000 helps family members and spouses of deceased veterans.
• Find local veterans services of all kinds in the National Resource Directory.
• Veteran Navigators can help connect you with resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, and other common issues for veterans.

If you're currently on SSI, SSDI, or DAC benefits, and you're looking for a job, a trained Benefits Planner can help you avoid problems with your job plan. If you need help or have questions about your situation, you can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST.

View DB101's full list of experts who can help you understand different benefits.