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Your VA Disability Claim (Form 21-526EZ), Explained
Also called: VA Form 21-526EZ, 526EZ, 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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What this notice usually means
VA Form 21-526EZ is the form veterans use to apply for VA disability compensation and related benefits. There is no deadline to file this original claim. A postservice claim is one you file after you leave the military. It has no time limit under VA's own rules. But the process can get harder the longer you wait. Once VA gets your claim, you have up to a year to send in supporting evidence. You can file a short Intent to File (Form 21-0966) first. This can protect an earlier start date, called an effective date, while you gather that evidence.
See every source line for this notice
“Use VA Form 21-526EZ when you want to apply for VA disability compensation (pay) and related benefits.”
“File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).”
“Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444”
“If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date). When you notify us of your intent to file, you may be able to get retroactive payments (compensation that starts at a point in the past).”
What to do now
- 1
Decide whether to file online or by mail
Filing online sets your effective date automatically when you start the form. Filing by mail means printing Form 21-526EZ and sending it in.
- 2
Consider an Intent to File first if using the paper form
Submitting Form 21-0966 first can protect an earlier effective date. It may also lead to retroactive payments once VA approves your full claim.
- 3
Gather your evidence within a year of filing
Once VA gets your claim, you have up to a year to send in evidence. This can include medical records or statements.
- 4
Mail your form to the right address if not filing online
Send Form 21-526EZ to the VA Claims Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.
- 5
Ask a veterans service officer for free help
Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or ask a local veterans service officer for free help filing your claim.
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There is no filing deadline for an original postservice disability claim. Once VA gets your claim, you have up to a year from that date to send in supporting evidence. If you plan to file by mail, you can submit an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) first. This can protect an earlier effective date while you gather that evidence.
“You should also know that you have up to a year from the date we receive your claim to turn in any evidence.”
“This is called a postservice claim. There’s no time limit on filing a postservice claim.”
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Sources
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-13
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-13
- VA.gov (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)Retrieved 2026-07-13
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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