Our Process
Simplifying the VA Disabillity
Claims Process.
The Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation seeks to make the VA Claims Process accessible to every veteran and veteran family member in Oklahoma and across the United States.
By working with The Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, you will be working with a highly trained non-profit team member to submit YOUR claim. For information on our Appeals Process, click HERE.
Our Claims Process
To have your claim submitted to the VA you will need to do the following:
1. Finish the Intake Form
2. Set an "Initial Assessment Appointment" (This will be set by you after you complete the intake form and it is reviewed by a team member)
3. Collect evidence to support your claim (submit this evidence to us online in our secure portal or in-person in our Veterans Computer Lab)
4. Set a "Claim Writing Appointment" (This will be set by you after your evidence is reviewed by a team member)
If you do the above 4 steps your claim will be processed in a timely and organized manner.
Client Handbook
The first step of filing a new claim, either in person at the Foundation or on our webpage, will consist of an Intake Form. Regardless if you are a new client or a previous client, all initiations of new claims will start at this step. At your Intake Appointment, you will fill out our First Forms which consists of our Intake Questionnaire, an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966), and a Power of Attorney (VA Form 21-22). After submission of these forms, you will be prompted to schedule an appointment.
At your Initial Assessment Appointment, one of our highly trained and experienced volunteers will review your existing evidence, assess your claim, and answer any questions you may have. In order to strengthen your claim, our team members may recommend you collect additional medical evidence. If supplemental medical evidence is needed and you cannot afford additional appointments, the Foundation can provide financial assistance in the form of medical vouchers to assist you in attending. At your appointment, your doctor will fill out a Disability Benefits Questionnaire, or DBQ. Our volunteer team may also suggest at your appointment that you collect other evidence such as buddy letters, military service documents, or service treatment records. (Some clients may not need additional evidence, this will be determined at your Initial Assessment Appointment)
After you collect any necessary documentation, you will have the ability to upload it to our portal in PDF form or have them scanned in at the Foundation. Once we've reviewed your supplemental evidence, we will reach out to you to schedule your Claim Writing Appointment. At your Claim Writing Appointment, one of our team members will prepare, write, and assemble your full claim. Shortly after, we will submit your claim to the VA and provide you with a copy.
Following the submission of your claim, the VA will likely send you to a C&P (Compensation and Pension) Exam. Visit the VA's website to view more information on C&P exams.
Appeals Process
If you are interested in filling an appeal for a denied decision, there are many different routes you can take. Our Appeals Team can help with the process of figuring out which option is best for you.
