Why file it first
Your effective date determines when your benefits start, and how much back pay you receive. An Intent to File (ITF) locks that date, giving you a full year to gather evidence and submit your formal claim.
How it works
When you submit an ITF, the VA records that date. If your claim is later approved, your benefits are backdated to the ITF date, not the date you submitted the full claim. This can mean months of retroactive pay.
How to submit
Online (fastest): Go to VA.gov → File a disability claim. When you start the online form, your ITF is automatically recorded, you don't need a separate form.
By phone: Call 1-800-827-1000 and tell the representative you want to submit an Intent to File.
In person: Visit your local VA Regional Office with VA Form 21-0966.
By mail: Send completed VA Form 21-0966 to your regional VA office.
Rules to follow
- You have exactly 1 year from your ITF date to submit the full claim
- If you miss the 1-year deadline, you lose that effective date permanently
- Set a personal deadline 60 days before the real deadline as a safety buffer
- You can only have one active ITF at a time per benefit type
- If you're filing online, the ITF is automatic, don't file a separate one
When to file it
File your ITF the same day you decide to pursue a claim, even if your evidence is months away. It holds your effective date for one year and costs nothing.