Vets Corner: File those standard VA forms for veterans' benefits

Vets Corner: File those standard VA forms for veterans' benefits

As of March 24, 2015, VA requires veterans and survivors to use standardized forms when filing their claims and appeals.  The standardized forms enable claimants to clearly identify the symptoms or conditions for which they are seeking benefits, while helping to ensure VA receives the information needed to process their claims.

These forms are designed to capture the specific information VA needs to process compensation, pension, and other benefit claims. Those who filed their claim prior to March 24, 2015, do not need to refile.

Veterans and survivors who need additional time to gather the information needed to support their claims may use the optional intent to file process.  Submission of the new form, Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC, protects the claimant’s effective date while allowing the claimant up to 1 year to collect supporting information and submit the appropriate application form. 

Veterans wishing to initiate appeal of a VA disability compensation decision issued after March 24, 2015, are now required to express their disagreement through submission of the VA form, Notice of Disagreement.  Veterans and their representatives previously used the form on an optional basis.  Veterans and Survivors are not required to use a standardized notice of disagreement form for pension or survivors benefits at this time.

While there are several ways for the veteran and their survivors to file a claim, visiting our office has some distinct advantages over filing a claim on your own.  We have professionally trained and accredited Veterans Advocates that will assist in gathering necessary documentation, build a complete claims package, and file the claim with the VA.  After filing, we will track the claim through the VA process to completion. This is a free service offered by the Kings County Veterans Service Office.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email.    There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents.  To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office.  We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms.  You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.

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