VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment to veterans with service-connected medical conditions. You qualify if you served in active military duty, were not dishonorably discharged, AND have a current condition connected to your service. PACT Act 2022 + Agent Orange + Camp Lejeune presumptives don't require a medical-nexus letter — service in a qualifying era + location is enough.
Quick Answer
Active-duty service + non-dishonorable discharge + current service-connected condition.
Requirements
Service in U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, or Reserves/Guard activated)
Discharge characterization: Honorable, General, or Other-Than-Honorable (OTH may still qualify with VA character-of-discharge review). Bad-Conduct or Dishonorable typically bars.
A current medical condition (physical or mental) that is connected to your service
For PACT Act / Agent Orange / Camp Lejeune presumptives: service in qualifying era + location is enough — no medical-nexus letter needed
Document the condition with VA medical records OR private medical records
Documents you'll need
DD-214 (or equivalent discharge document like NGB-22 for Guard)
Medical records showing the condition + diagnosis
Service treatment records (STRs) or buddy statements showing the condition arose during service
For presumptive conditions: deployment records (DD-214 + travel orders if available) showing qualifying era + location
Fastest application path
File VA Form 21-526EZ at va.gov/disability/. Use a CVSO (free, state-employed) for help. Include all conditions you want rated. PACT Act presumptives auto-grant if service + location match.
Common pitfalls (avoid these)
⚠ Filing without listing all conditions (you can amend later but it adds 6+ months to claim timeline)
⚠ Skipping the buddy statements — they're free and powerful evidence
⚠ Not requesting a copy of your STRs early (free via SF-180 to NPRC)
⚠ Hiring a paid attorney before trying a CVSO (CVSOs are free + just as effective for non-appeal claims)
Common questions
I have an OTH (Other-Than-Honorable) discharge. Can I still get VA disability?
Possibly. VA conducts a "character-of-discharge" review separate from the discharge characterization itself. If your OTH was for "minor offenses" (AWOL <180 days, minor misconduct) you may be granted VA benefits. File anyway — VA reviews each case. Our /discharge/oth page has the full upgrade and review path.
Does PTSD count as a service-connected condition?
Yes. PTSD is one of the most-claimed conditions and has its own dedicated VA Form 21-0781 (combat) or 21-0781a (MST/personal assault). VA accepts evidence beyond formal service treatment records — buddy statements, sudden behavioral changes documented in service records, performance evaluations. See our /va-rating/ptsd guide for the rating tiers and evidence checklist.
How long does a VA disability claim take?
VA published goal: 125 days. Actual median 2024-2026: 130-150 days. PACT Act presumptive claims often process faster (90-110 days). Higher-Level Review (HLR) of a denial: ~120 days. Board appeal: 12-18 months. Our /answers/how-long-does-va-disability-take page has the up-to-date breakdown.
Can I get VA disability for tinnitus or hearing loss?
Yes. Tinnitus is the #1 most-rated VA disability (1.5M+ veterans rated). Hearing loss is #3. Both are service-connected if you had noise exposure (most MOSes do). 10% rating for tinnitus is essentially automatic with documentation. See /va-rating/tinnitus and /va-rating/hearing-loss.