East Valley Chapter 8
655 N. Gilbert Road
Mesa, AZ 85203
Ph: 480.890.2424

It is necessary for each claim to have relative evidence to support the Veteran's disability or pension claim. It is important that you have this paperwork with you when you meet with a Chapter Service Officer (CSO).

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NOTE: You do not have to do this by yourself! Just bring the required documents (minus the VA Forms, which we have) and the Chapter Service Officer will walk you through every process and fill out and submit the forms and evidence for you!

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Required for all:

• DD-214 or

• NG Form 22

• Veteran's Social Security Number

• Veteran's date of birth

• VA file number (if you filed previously)

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For Enrolling in the VA Healthcare System (Form 10-10EZ):

• Requires information listed above

• Has a means test (you can make too much money or have too much in assets to be eligible)

  • If you are rated for any disability by the VA, at the 0% level or above, you are eligible for VA healthcare​

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For Disability Claims:

• Dates, records, and address for private providers

• Dates and location of service by VA providers

• Dates and location of service by military providers

• Bank RTN and Checking Acct number (for direct deposit) and a voided check

• All your VA decision letters from previous claims

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For Aid & Attendance or Caregiver Program Claims:

• Documentation of service-connected disability affecting Veteran

  • Veteran must be rated at least 70% to qualify for these programs​

  • Will require examination/certification by doctor on VA Form 21-2680 or 21-0779​

    • Veteran must be incapable of performing normal activities of daily living (ADLs)​

  • Caregiver Program requires full identifying information on primary and secondary caregivers

    • Use Form 10-10CG to apply​

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For Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)/Survivor Pension Claims:

• Veteran's death certificate

  • DIC: Death certificate must show a rated disability as primary or contributing to cause of death​

  • Survivor's Pension: Does not require Veteran's death to be caused by a rated disability

• Your Marriage Certificate with the Veteran​

• Filing for either DIC or Survivor's Pension, use VA Form 21-534EZ

  • Always check the option for "Accrued Benefits"​

• If filing for a Survivor's Pension, VA Form 21P-0969 (Survivor's Pension has an asset & income cap)

  • This form is not required for DIC​

• For burial expense reimbursement (up to $2,000), receipts from the funeral home​ (VA Form 21-530EZ)

• For getting a memorial American Flag, (VA Form 27-2008)

  • The funeral home usually takes care of this for you--but ask​

  • The Post Office is the VA repository for memorial flags

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For Appeals to Denied Claimed Conditions:

• Request for Higher Level Review (Form 20-0996)

  • Requires dates of denials from decision letters​

  • Must be filed no more than one year from date of denial decision letter

• Supplemental Claim (Form 20-0995)​

  • Requires dates of denials from decision letters​

  • No time limit for filing

  • Requires new and relevant evidence for each appealed condition

    • New and relevant evidence may be contained in your VA treatment record or private treatment records​

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To Establish or Remove Dependents (Form 21-686c):

• Adding:

  • Birth certificate (minor children)​

  • Birth and Marriage certificate (spouse)

  • Social Security Number (children and spouse)

  • Information on all previous marriages/divorces (Veteran and spouse)

• Removing:​

  • Marriage certificate​

  • Divorce decree or death certificate

  • Social Security Number of Veteran and person being removed

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Individual Unemployability (Form 21-8940):

• Work history for the last 5 years you worked full-time

• Identification of rated disability(ies) that keep you from working

• Date your disability(ies) first affected your ability to work

• Date you became unable to work because of your disability(ies)

• Company names and addresses of employers

  • Dates you started and finished working for the employers​

  • How much time you lost due to illness or your disability(ies)

  • Average hours per week worked

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Special Cases (Form 20-10207):

• You may be eligible for expedited processing if any of the following are true:

  • Experiencing extreme financial hardship (Documentation required)​

  • Terminally ill (Medical documentation with diagnosis/prognosis required)

  • Diagnosed with ALS (Medical documentation with diagnosis required)

  • Very seriously ill or very seriously injured during military operation (Service record & medical record required)

  • Age 85 or older

  • Former Prisoner of War (Service records showing internment required)

  • Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipient (Military record showing award(s))