What evidence does a VA disability claim need?

Three required elements: a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and a nexus (a medical opinion linking them). The nexus is not required if your condition is presumptive. Buddy statements and treatment records strengthen the claim.

A nexus is a medical opinion stating your condition is at least as likely as not connected to your service. It usually comes from a doctor. Presumptive conditions (PACT Act, Agent Orange) do not require a nexus because the VA already accepts the link.

Can I file without all the evidence?

You can file an Intent to File to lock your date, then keep gathering. A free accredited VSO can help you assemble the evidence and file at no cost.

VA Claim Evidence Tracker

A claim stands or falls on its evidence. Track what each condition needs, check off what you have, and see exactly what is still missing before you file. Private, on your device, and free.

Right now your evidence checklist is saved only on this device.

Create a free account to keep it safe, pick up on your phone or laptop, and not lose it if you clear your browser. Always free.

Create a free account

Add a condition above to see the evidence a claim for it needs, and check off what you already have.

Tracked on this device only, no account. The three required elements (diagnosis, in-service event, nexus) are what a claim stands or falls on, unless your condition is presumptive, which removes the nexus. A free VSO assembles all of this with you at no cost. This is general education, not legal advice.

More free tools

Chart Your Claim

Navigate your VA claim step by step

VA Claim Builder

Build a full, evidence-backed claim step by step

Presumptive Conditions Checker

PACT Act / Agent Orange / burn-pit eligibility

Exposure Checker

Where you served, mapped to presumptives

Denial Letter Analyzer

Decode your VA denial and fix it

Symptom Tracker

Log symptoms for your C&P exam