A VA Intent to File (ITF) locks in your effective date for back pay. By filing an ITF in 2026, you have a full 12 months to gather evidence and submit a complete disability claim — without losing a single day of retroactive compensation.
What is a VA Intent to File?
An Intent to File tells the VA you plan to file a disability or pension claim. It does not start the claim review. Instead, it preserves your effective date — the date your back pay clock starts ticking — for up to 365 days.
Why VA Intent to File matters
VA back pay flows from your effective date. The longer the gap between when you should have applied and when your claim is granted, the more retroactive compensation you receive.
For example: a veteran with a 70% rating earns about $1,808 per month in 2026. Filing an ITF and submitting the formal claim 11 months later preserves about $19,893 in back pay that would otherwise be lost.
How to file a VA Intent to File
You have three ways to submit a VA ITF.
- Online at VA.gov. Start (but don't finish) a disability application. The system automatically creates an ITF in your file.
- By phone. Call 1-800-827-1000 and ask the representative to file an Intent to File on your behalf.
- By mail. Send completed VA Form 21-0966 — Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension — to the VA Claims Intake Center.
What claims an ITF covers
One ITF can preserve the effective date for any combination of these claim types:
- VA disability compensation (the most common use).
- VA pension for wartime veterans with limited income.
- Survivors' DIC or pension for spouses, children, or dependent parents.
How long an Intent to File lasts
An ITF protects your effective date for 12 months (365 days) from the date you file it. You must submit a complete claim within that window or the ITF expires and the effective date resets to the date the claim is finally filed.
When to file an ITF instead of a claim
- You haven't gathered all your medical evidence yet.
- You're waiting on a nexus letter from a doctor.
- You're still pulling service treatment records.
- You're working with a VSO and need time to prepare the strongest claim.
- You're approaching separation and want to file under the BDD program later.
Common Intent to File mistakes
- Letting the ITF expire. Mark the 365-day deadline on your calendar.
- Filing too late. An ITF doesn't help if you wait years to file the claim.
- Submitting a partial claim and assuming it counts as an ITF. You must specifically request an ITF or use VA Form 21-0966.
- Forgetting survivors' coverage. A surviving spouse needs to file an ITF too if they plan to file DIC.
Related guides
- VA Form 21-526EZ — disability claim application
- How VA back pay is calculated
- How to file a VA disability claim
- Benefits Delivery at Discharge program
You can start an Intent to File or complete VA Form 21-0966 at VA.gov.