Fully developed claim for a VA pension 
The Fully Developed Claim FDC program is the fastest way to get your VA pension claim processed , and there s no risk to your taking part in it. Just send in all your evidence, or supporting documents, when you file your claim. Participation in the FDC program is optional and won t affect your benefits. If you file a claim in the FDC program and we decide that additional documents exist that we need to decide your claim , we ll remove your claim from the FDC program and process it as a standard claim. 

Learn more about the FDC program 


FDC program 
When turning in your claim under the FDC program , please send us all the supporting documents you have and provide information about supporting documents that you don t have. Fill out an Application for Pension. Application for Pension VA Form 21P-527EZ When you file your claim , turn in : All necessary income and net - worth information , and All private medical records you have that are related to your claim , and Information about any health records that are available at a federal facility, like a VA medical center or clinic Go to any VA medical appointments required to decide your claim. 

Standard claim process 
With a standard claim , you ll give us permission to gather evidence or records for you. You ll need to give us enough information about the evidence so we can request it from the right person or agency. If a person or agency refuses to turn over the evidence, asks for money for the evidence, or can t get the evidence , we ll ask you to try to get the evidence or records. It s your responsibility to make sure we receive all requested records that aren t at a federal agency or office. 

If you re claiming non-service-connected pension benefits 
The evidence must show that you meet the requirements listed below. This must be true : Your net worth and income are within certain limits. And at least one of these must be true about your service. You: Served on active du

user: what is Fully developed claim for a VA pension?

assistant: [2] The Fully Developed Claim FDC program is the fastest way to get your VA pension claim processed ,s [3] and there s no risk to your taking part in it .s   [4] Just send in all your evidence , or supporting documents , when you file your claim

user: what if I file a claim in the FDC program?

assistant: If you file a claim in the FDC program and we decide that additional documents exist that we need to decide your claim , [7] we ll remove your claim from the FDC program and process it as a standard claim

user: Do I need to request relevant records?

assistant:  if we decide we need it for your claim
   [92] Make every reasonable effort to request relevant records that you authorize us to get that aren t at a federal facility .s   [93] These may include records from state or local governments , documents from a private doctor , hospital records , or records from current or former employers .

user: what if I'm claiming increased disability pension benefits based on being housebound?

assistant: The evidence must show that you meet at least one of the requirements

user: If I'm claiming non-service-connected pension benefits I must be a patient in a nursing home for long term care?

assistant: at least one of these must also be true about your current situation .s   [43] You:
     [44] Are at least 65 years old , [45] or
     [46] Are a patient in a nursing home for long - term care , [47] or
     [48] Receive Social Security disability benefits , [49] or
     [50] Are unemployable because of a disability that doesn t go away , [51] or
     [52] Have a disability that doesn t go away and that makes it impossible for you to work , [53] or
   [54] Have a disease or disorder that we determine causes permanent and total disability