📌 Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) Backpay Lock Engine

38 U.S.C. § 5110 STATUTORY PROTECTION

Submitting VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) establishes a legal effective date with the VBA, giving you 365 days to gather medical evidence without forfeiting backpay. Under 38 CFR § 3.400, your retroactive check will date back to this locked date.

Date Submitted (or Planned Date):

Target Disability Claim Type:

⏱️ YOUR BACKPAY EFFECTIVE DATE CLOCK

LOCKED EFFECTIVE DATE

365-DAY EXPIRATION DEADLINE

DAYS REMAINING TO FILE

📋 Interactive 4-Phase Execution Roadmap:

Phase 1: Lock Effective Date (VA Form 21-0966)
File online via VA.gov or mail Form 21-0966 to Evidence Intake Center.

Phase 2: Audit Records & Request C-File
Request C-File (Form 20-10206) and pull Service Treatment Records (STRs) to identify in-service triggers.

Phase 3: Obtain Nexus Letters & DBQs
Schedule appointment with private doctor to obtain a "at least as likely as not" Nexus opinion and DBQ.

Phase 4: Submit Fully Developed Claim (VA Form 21-526EZ)
Submit Form 21-526EZ before the 365-day expiration deadline to ensure 100% retroactive backpay calculation.

📄 DOWNLOAD OFFICIAL VA FORM 21-0966 ➔ 💰 ESTIMATE RETROACTIVE BACKPAY ➔