The single biggest cause of claim delays is missing paperwork. Before you begin, spend an afternoon collecting these six things — having them ready makes every step that follows faster and calmer.
- Your DD-214 — your discharge record, and the anchor for proving service connection.
- Service treatment records — anything documenting an injury or illness during service.
- Current medical records — recent treatment showing the condition today.
- A personal statement — your own account of how the condition started and how it affects you now.
- Buddy statements — brief written accounts from people who served with you or know your situation.
- Decision statements — copies of any past VA decision letters, showing what was granted or denied and why.
Keep everything in one place as you go. Inside S.C.A.R. Group, each document has a home in your secure vault, so you are never hunting for a file when a step asks for it.