Glossary of VA Terms
The VA claims process is filled with acronyms, legal doctrines, and bureaucratic terminology. Use this dictionary to decode the language of 38 CFR Part 4.
BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge)
A program allowing service members to apply for VA disability compensation 90 to 180 days prior to separation, ensuring benefits are ready on day one of civilian life.
C-File (Claims File)
Your complete master file held by the VA. It contains all your previous claims, C&P exam results, decision letters, and medical records. Obtaining this via FOIA is critical before filing appeals.
C&P Exam (Compensation and Pension Examination)
A medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate the severity of a claimed disability and establish whether it is connected to military service. The examiner uses a DBQ during this process.
CRDP (Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay)
A program that allows military retirees to receive both their full military retirement pay and their VA disability compensation. Requires a 50% or higher VA disability rating.
CRSC (Combat-Related Special Compensation)
A tax-free monthly payment for military retirees with combat-related disabilities. You must waive a portion of your VA pay to receive it, but it restores the waived amount as tax-free income.
DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire)
Standardized medical forms used by C&P examiners (and private physicians) to evaluate the severity of disabilities based on the specific legal criteria outlined in 38 CFR Part 4.
DeLuca Doctrine (DeLuca v. Brown)
A 1995 U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals ruling (DeLuca v. Brown, 8 Vet. App. 202) establishing that applicable functional loss from pain, weakness, fatigability, incoordination, and flare-ups must be considered when evaluating musculoskeletal disabilities.
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Request
The formal legal request (often using VA Form 20-10206) used to request a copy of your C-File from the VA. It can take 6-12 months to process.
HLR (Higher-Level Review)
An appeal route where a senior VA adjudicator reviews your claim based only on the evidence that was already submitted. You cannot submit new evidence during an HLR.
IMO (Independent Medical Opinion)
A medical report written by a private doctor or specialist, rather than a VA examiner. It is often submitted to provide a Nexus or argue against a negative VA C&P exam.
ITF (Intent to File)
A placeholder submitted to the VA that preserves your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence. If you file the actual claim within 365 days, backpay is calculated back to the ITF date.
Nexus (Medical Nexus)
The critical link bridging a veteran's current medical diagnosis to an event, injury, or disease that occurred during military service. Without a nexus, service connection will be denied.
NOD (Notice of Disagreement)
The formal form used to appeal a VA decision directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). This is the highest level of the normal appeals process.
Rule of 60 (TDIU)
The base requirement for Individual Unemployability. A veteran must have either one disability rated at 60%, OR a combined rating of 70% with at least one disability rated at 40%.
SMC (Special Monthly Compensation)
Additional tax-free compensation paid above the standard 100% rate. SMC is awarded for specific severe disabilities like loss of use of a limb (SMC-K), being housebound (SMC-S), or requiring aid and attendance.
STRs (Service Treatment Records)
Your active-duty military medical records. These are the most critical pieces of evidence for proving that an event or injury occurred in-service (establishing the first pillar of a claim).
TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability)
A VA program that pays veterans at the 100% rate, even if their combined rating is lower (e.g., 70%), because their service-connected disabilities prevent them from securing substantially gainful employment.
VSO (Veteran Service Officer)
An accredited representative (often through the VFW, DAV, or American Legion) who assists veterans with preparing and submitting their VA claims free of charge.