Establishing an effective date for claims determines how much retroactive compensation veterans can receive

VA Form 21-0966
VA Form 21-0966

Last March, the Department of Veterans Affairs began requiring that all claims to the agency be filed on standardized VA forms. This new process has helped the VA make significant progress in reducing its backlog, but more progress can be made with the improved use of one of the most underutilized documents the VA provides: VA Form 21-0966, Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC.

Though not required to formally start the claims process, submitting an Intent to File form allows veterans to informally establish the effective date of a forthcoming claim, advises the VA of forthcoming actions and allows veterans time to gather information. This date is critical because it will determine how much veterans receive in retroactive compensation if their claims are granted.

“Once the Intent to File is received by the VA, veterans have 12 months to gather evidence and formally file,” explained National Service Director Jim Marszalek. “It essentially bookmarks your intentions and the effective date for the subsequent formal claim.”

Marszalek stresses that securing an effective date for a benefits claim should be a top priority for veterans. Establishing this official starting point with VA Form 21-0966 ensures veterans will receive the compensation they earned retroactively if their claim is granted, regardless of how long it takes to adjudicate the claim.

“The form only takes about 15 minutes to complete,” said Marszalek. “It’s minimum effort and maximum return when it comes to veterans compensation.”

Intent to File forms can be submitted electronically through eBenefits, over the phone by contacting a DAV National Service Officer or by mailing a paper copy to a DAV National Service Office.

Contact information for those offices can be found online at DAV.org/find-your-local-office/ and standardized VA forms can be found at https://www.dav.org/veterans/standard-claim-appeal-forms/.