Last Updated: 12/29/2025
There are many terms to contend with when dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Knowing and understanding them helps a great deal when moving through their processes of evaluation and approval (or denial).
The following are helpful terms regarding VA disability benefits:
5-Year Rule:A VA protection that makes it harder for the VA to reduce a veteran’s disability rating after it has stayed the same for five years. To do so, the VA must first show sustained improvement.
Accredited (or, VA-Accredited): Someone the VA has authorized to prepare, submit and argue a veteran’s disability claim or appeal. Accreditation with the VA involves training, ethical standards and oversight.
Aggravation: When a service-connected condition worsens a non-service-connected condition beyond natural progression.
Adjudication: The VA's formal process of deciding on a claim.
Appeal: How a veteran challenges a denial, low rating or incorrect effective date on a VA disability claim.
Board Appeal: A formal appeal to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). (VA Form 10182)
Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA): The VA’s highest appeals body, made up of judges with expertise in veterans’ law.
Buddy Statement: A written statement from a family member, friend or fellow service member supporting the claim or describing symptoms.
BVA: See Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA).
BVA Docket: The queue or timeline that determines when a Board appeal will be reviewed.
BVA Hearing: A session (virtual, video or in person) where a veteran provides testimony before a VLJ.
Claim: A formal request asking the VA for compensation for a service-connected injury or illness.
C&P: See Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam.
C&P Examiner: A clinician who conducts the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam; may be a VA provider or a contracted independent examiner.
Compensation: The money a veteran receives because a service-connected condition affects their health and ability to work. This is based on rating, paid monthly and tax-free.
Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam: A VA-ordered medical evaluation used to confirm diagnosis, assess severity and help determine disability ratings.
DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire): A VA form completed by a medical provider capturing specific information needed to evaluate a disability.
Decision Review Request: A request to challenge a VA decision—through Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal.
Effective Date: The date used to determine when payment begins—typically the date the VA received the claim.
Fully Developed Claim (FDC): A claim option where the veteran submits all relevant evidence up front, allowing faster decision-making.
Functional Impairment: Limitations on daily activities or employment caused by a disability.
Higher-Level Review (HLR): A request for a more experienced reviewer to re-evaluate the claim with no new evidence allowed. (VA Form 20-0996)
Initial Claim: The first request a veteran submits for VA disability benefits.
Medical Evidence: Documentation supporting a claim, such as medical records, diagnostic results and clinician notes.
New and Relevant Evidence: Information not previously considered that could change the outcome of a claim.
Nexus Letter: A medical opinion explaining the connection between the veteran's current condition and their military service.
Notice of Disagreement (NOD): A formal statement telling the VA that a veteran disagrees with a decision on their disability claim. (VA Form 10182)
PACT Act: The 2022 law expanding benefits for veterans exposed to toxins (burn pits, Agent Orange, etc.).
Presumptive Condition: A condition the VA automatically presumes is related to service based on specific exposures, locations or service eras (e.g., Agent Orange, burn pits).
Rating (or, Disability Rating): The number the VA uses to decide how severe a veteran’s service-connected condition is and how much compensation they receive. A 100% rating is the highest compensation level, providing access to full benefits.
Retroactive Benefits (Back Pay): Lump-sum compensation owed from the effective date to the date the VA issues a decision.
Secondary Service Connection: A disability caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.
Service-Connected: A medical condition that the VA determines was caused or aggravated by military service.
Service Treatment Records (STRs): Official medical records from a veteran's active-duty service.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Additional tax-free compensation for severe disabilities or special circumstances (e.g., loss of limb use, need for aid and attendance).
Supplemental Claim: An appeal option that allows veterans to submit new and relevant evidence for reconsideration. (VA Form 20-0995)
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): A benefit paying at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions prevent substantially gainful employment.
Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA): A military duty, assignment or experience that may have exposed a service member to harmful substances.
VA Claims File (C-File): The complete record of a veteran's VA claims, medical evidence, decisions and correspondence.
VA Disability Rating: see Rating.
Veterans Law Judge (VLJ): An administrative judge who reviews appeals and issues decisions at the BVA.
VSO (Veterans Service Organization): An organization that advocates for veterans by providing support, resources and representation related to benefits, services and policy issues affecting veterans.
DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire): A VA form completed by a medical provider capturing specific information needed to evaluate a disability.
10182: A formal Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA).
20-0995: Known as a Supplemental Claim. An appeal option that allows veterans to submit new and relevant evidence for reconsideration.
20-0996: Known as a Higher-Level Review. A request for a more experienced reviewer to re-evaluate the claim with no new evidence allowed.
21-526EZ: The primary application form used to file an initial disability claim.
Connect with Allsup Veterans Appeals today by calling 888-372-1190 or contacting us.
