Glossary

Every acronym and term you'll encounter, defined plainly. Search to jump to any term.

10182

Board Appeal / Notice of Disagreement form (Appeal Lane 3).

20-0995

Supplemental Claim form (Appeal Lane 1).

20-0996

Higher-Level Review form (Appeal Lane 2).

21-0966

Intent to File. Filing this preserves your claim effective date for 12 months while you gather evidence.

21-10210

Lay/Witness Statement form, used by buddies, family, coworkers to submit statements supporting a veteran's claim.

21-4138

Statement in Support of Claim. The veteran's own sworn statement form, 3–5 paragraphs.

21-526EZ

The main VA disability compensation application form. Used for initial claims, secondary claims, and increased rating claims.

38 CFR

Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The legal source for all VA disability rules, including rating schedules.

AMA

Appeals Modernization Act of 2017 (effective Feb 19, 2019). Created the three modern appeals lanes.

BDD

Benefits Delivery at Discharge. Pre-discharge claim filing program for service members 180–90 days from separation.

Bilateral factor

38 CFR § 4.26. Extra 10% added to the combined rating of paired-limb disabilities (both knees, both arms, etc.).

C-File

Claims File. VA's complete master file on you — STRs, medical records, decisions, exam reports, all correspondence.

C&P exam

Compensation & Pension examination. The medical evaluation VA orders to assess a claimed condition.

Caluza test

Three-element legal test for service connection: current disability, in-service event, nexus (medical link).

CHAMPVA

Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA. Health coverage for spouses/dependents of P&T-rated veterans.

COLA

Cost-of-Living Adjustment. Annual increase to VA compensation rates, effective December 1, paid in January.

Combined rating

Total disability percentage calculated using the "whole person" formula (38 CFR § 4.25). Not addition.

Continuity of symptoms

38 CFR § 3.303(b). Doctrine allowing service connection without in-service diagnosis if symptoms began in service and continued.

Correia v. McDonald

Case (2016) requiring active/passive and weight-bearing/non-weight-bearing ROM testing.

CRDP

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay. Restores retirement pay offset for 20-year retirees rated 50%+.

CRSC

Combat-Related Special Compensation. Tax-free additional pay for combat-related disabilities, no 20-year requirement.

CUE

Clear and Unmistakable Error. Way to revise a final VA decision based on undebatable error. No time limit.

DBQ

Disability Benefits Questionnaire. Standardized form mapping medical findings to VA rating criteria. 70+ exist.

DC

Diagnostic Code. Numerical code used in 38 CFR Part 4 to identify each ratable condition.

Direct service connection

Service connection established by proving an in-service event caused the current condition.

Effective date

The date from which compensation accrues. Determines back pay amount.

FDC

Fully Developed Claim. File 21-526EZ with all evidence and certify nothing else exists. Faster processing.

HLR

Higher-Level Review. Appeal Lane 2 — senior reviewer looks at same record, no new evidence.

IMO / IME

Independent Medical Opinion / Examination. Paid private medical evaluation, often used for nexus letters.

ITF

Intent to File (Form 21-0966). Preserves effective date for 12 months.

Jandreau v. Nicholson

Federal Circuit case (2007) establishing that veterans are competent to testify about observable symptoms.

Lay evidence

Evidence from non-medical sources (veteran, buddies, family). Competent for observable facts and symptoms.

Liberalizing law

A new law or regulation that expands benefits. Triggers special effective date rules.

Mitchell v. Shinseki

Case (2011) requiring C&P examiners to consider flare-ups in musculoskeletal exams.

Nexus letter

Medical opinion from a licensed provider linking a condition to service or to another SC condition. Magic phrase: "at least as likely as not."

NPRM

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. VA proposes changes — not yet in effect until a final rule is published.

P&T

Permanent and Total. Designation that 100% rating is permanent. Unlocks CHAMPVA, Chapter 35, SAH, no future re-exams.

PACT Act

Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. Largest expansion of toxic-exposure presumptions in VA history. 300+ conditions covered.

Painful Motion principle

38 CFR § 4.59. Pain on motion in a joint triggers minimum 10% compensable rating.

Presumptive service connection

Service connection presumed by law for veterans with qualifying service and a presumed condition. No nexus required.

Pyramiding

38 CFR § 4.14. Rating the same disability or symptom twice is prohibited.

Rating decision

VA's written decision letter. Includes outcome, ratings, effective dates, and Reasons and Bases.

ROM

Range of Motion. Measured with a goniometer for joint conditions. Drives most musculoskeletal ratings.

Secondary service connection

38 CFR § 3.310. Service connection for a condition caused or aggravated by an already-SC condition.

SMC

Special Monthly Compensation. Additional pay for severe disabilities. Ladder runs K (lowest) through R-2/T (highest).

SMC-K

Loss of use of a creative organ (commonly ED). $139.87/month in 2026, paid on top of basic compensation at any rating.

STRs

Service Treatment Records. Your military medical record. Get from milConnect.

Supplemental Claim

AMA Appeal Lane 1. Submit new and relevant evidence. Form 20-0995.

TDIU

Total Disability Individual Unemployability. Paid at 100% rate when SC conditions prevent work. Form 21-8940.

TERA

Toxic Exposure Risk Activity. Screening framework created by PACT Act. Drives non-presumptive toxic exposure claims.

VR&E / Chapter 31

Veteran Readiness and Employment. Vocational rehab for SC-disabled veterans. Form 28-1900.

VSO

Veterans Service Organization. Non-profit (DAV, VFW, American Legion) providing free claims assistance.

Whole person formula

38 CFR § 4.25. VA's combined-rating math: each rating applies to remaining efficiency, not the original 100%.

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