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VA CLAIM EDUCATION TOOLS
Helping veterans get organized, stay informed, and navigate the VA claims process with confidence.Because no veteran should face the VA claims process alone.
Free educational tools designed to help veterans organize information, identify documentation gaps, and better understand the VA claims process before working with an accredited representative or medical provider.
Free · About 60 seconds · Join 500+ veterans using VetClaimsGuide to stay organized.
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See how our tools help
Get a quick snapshot of what may be strong, missing, or needs more work before you move forward.
Free Educational Resource Pack
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Enter your email to receive your personalized educational action plan, Nexus letter templates, and self-help resources designed to help you stay organized and better understand the VA disability claims process.
- Personalized Educational Action Plan
- Generic Nexus Letter Template
- PTSD Nexus Letter Template
- Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter Template
- Tinnitus Nexus Letter Template
- VA Claims Education Resources
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About
Built by a veteran who learned the VA system the hard way.
VetClaimsGuide was created to help veterans organize their information, better understand the VA disability claims process, and navigate it with greater confidence.
No fluff
Simple educational tools and checklists built for real veterans.
No guessing
Focus on understanding diagnosis, service connection, documentation, and the VA disability claims process.
Free first
Use our free educational tools to organize your information before working with an accredited representative or medical provider.
VetClaimsGuide provides educational software and organizational tools only. It does not replace an accredited VSO, attorney, medical provider, or VA-accredited representative.
Free Tools
Free VA Claim Tools
Use these tools to prepare smarter before filing, appealing, or requesting an increase.
VA Condition Evidence Builder
Pick your condition and see what evidence may help support your claim.
Secondary Conditions Mapper
Select a service-connected condition and see common secondary conditions that may be connected.
Claim Readiness Checker
Answer a few quick questions and get a personalized readiness score with the exact next step for every gap.
Appeal & Next-Steps Finder
Denied or waiting on a decision? Find what's missing and the right way to appeal.
C&P Exam Prep Tool
Organize your symptoms before one of the most important parts of the claim process.
VA Rating Calculator
Estimate combined VA disability ratings using VA-style math.
Backpay Estimator
Estimate possible backpay based on effective date and rating changes.
TDIU Eligibility Checker
Answer a few questions to see if your service-connected conditions may support a TDIU claim.
Nexus Letter Templates
Free templates for PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and other claims.
Buddy Statement Builder
Organize and draft a buddy/lay statement you can review before submitting it yourself.
Next Steps Guide
Tell us where you are in the claim process and we'll show you the exact next steps.
Presumptive Condition Checker
See if your condition may be presumptive — PACT Act burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War, or MST.
VA Rating Estimator
Estimate the likely rating % for common conditions using VA's actual criteria.
Personal Statement Builder
Write a strong first-person statement in support of your claim (VA Form 21-4138).
Nexus Letter Builder
Create an educational template that explains the "at least as likely as not" standard to discuss with your doctor.
Browse by Topic
Explore VA Claim Topics
New here? Start with a topic hub. Each one groups the right free tools with a plain-English overview for that part of your claim.
VA Ratings & Backpay
Estimate a condition's rating, combine multiple ratings, and project your backpay.
Claim Preparation
Check readiness, organize evidence, prep for your C&P exam, and build statements.
Secondary Conditions
Find conditions linked to your service-connected ones and prove the link.
TDIU & Presumptive
Screen for unemployability benefits and presumptive (PACT Act) conditions.
The Process
How the VA Claim Process Works
A clear, six-step view of what happens from filing to decision — and what to do next.
- 1
Diagnosis
Confirm the condition exists today.
- 2
Evidence
Gather medical records, treatment notes, imaging, tests, and statements.
- 3
Service Connection
Show how the condition is linked to your military service.
- 4
C&P Exam
Explain symptoms honestly and clearly.
- 5
Decision
Review what VA approved, denied, or rated lower than expected.
- 6
Next Step
File supplemental evidence, request review, or prepare an appeal if needed.
Veteran Feedback
From Veterans Who Used These Tools
Real feedback from veterans preparing claims. Want to share yours? Leave a Review →
★★★★★
"Helped me understand exactly what I was missing before submitting my claim. Wish I'd had this two years ago."
— Army Veteran
★★★★★
"The C&P prep checklist gave me the confidence to be honest about my worst days. The exam went better than I expected."
— Marine Corps Veteran
★★★★★
"Straightforward and free. The combined rating calculator showed me exactly how my numbers added up. No fluff."
— Navy Veteran
★★★★★
"The evidence builder helped me organize records I didn't even realize I needed. Made my supplemental claim much stronger."
— Air Force Veteran
Lead Magnet
Free Nexus Letter Templates
Help your provider understand what a strong medical opinion should include.
A nexus letter is not required for every claim, but when service connection is not clear, a strong medical opinion can make a major difference.
- Generic Nexus Letter Template
- PTSD Nexus Letter Template
- Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter Template
- Tinnitus Nexus Letter Template
Come Back Anytime
Save your progress and come back anytime.
Use the free tools as you gather evidence, prepare for exams, and move through the VA claim process.
Check your claim
Score it again as your evidence improves and answers change.
Build your evidence
Track which records, statements, and notes you've collected.
Prepare your next step
Know what to do before filing, appealing, or requesting an increase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vet Claims Guide free?
Yes. The tools and templates on this site are free to use. Some advanced resources may be added later, but the core tools are designed to help veterans get started for free.
Does this guarantee my VA claim will be approved?
No. No tool can guarantee a VA decision. This site provides general educational guidance to help you prepare better.
Do I still need a VSO or attorney?
For complex claims, appeals, or denied claims, you may want to work with an accredited VSO, attorney, or VA representative. This site is educational and does not replace official guidance.
What are the three main things VA looks for?
Most disability claims need a current diagnosis, evidence, and a clear connection to military service. The severity of the condition affects the rating once service connection is established.
What if I already got denied?
Review the decision letter carefully. VA usually explains what was missing or why the claim was denied. You may need new and relevant evidence, a stronger statement, or a review option.
Get Started
Get organized. Get informed. Navigate the VA claims process with confidence.
Use free educational tools to organize information, identify documentation gaps, and better understand your next steps.
Educational software and organizational tools only. We do not provide legal advice or act as your representative.