VA Form 21-526EZ: The Disability Claim Form, Explained

What This Form Does

Form 21-526EZ is the application for disability compensation, the form that opens almost every VA disability claim.

When to Use It

• A first-time disability claim
• Filing a secondary condition connected to an existing service-connected condition
• Requesting an increased rating for a condition that's worsened
• Filing for a presumptive condition under the PACT Act or Agent Orange

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

• Section I — Veteran identification and contact information.
• Section II — Service information (branch, dates, service number).
• Section III — List each claimed condition by name. Be specific (e.g., 'lumbar strain' not 'back').
• Section IV — Treatment history (VA and private providers).
• Section V — Direct deposit information.
• Section VI — Signature and date.

How to Submit

The fastest path is electronic filing on VA.gov, which timestamps your effective date the moment you submit. Paper submissions go to the Evidence Intake Center in Janesville, Wisconsin, and take 10–14 days to log.

Section III Deserves the Most Time

More claims stall or get denied because of vague or incomplete entries in Section III than any other part of this form. List every condition you're pursuing now, using the specific diagnostic language your medical records actually use — conditions not listed here aren't part of this claim, and adding one later effectively starts a new filing with its own effective date.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Listing conditions vaguely, like 'back issues' instead of the specific diagnosis your medical records actually use.
• Forgetting to mark Fully Developed Claim when you genuinely have all your evidence ready to submit.
• Skipping the secondary condition box when it applies to your situation.

Frequently asked questions