Case Opening and Onboarding
VA disability case opening starts with the source material, representation posture, deadlines, and facts the active case needs. This category covers the case-bound on-ramp before staff or attorney review.
Guides
5 guides
Do I Need a Lawyer for My First VA Disability Claim?
A lawyer is optional on an initial VA disability claim. Attorneys cannot charge the claimant for help before the initial decision. Free accredited VSO help is available.
VA Disability Client Onboarding Workflow: From Signed Representation to Complete Case Record
The steps from booked consult to signed POA, filed fee agreement, and structured case record, with the deadlines and handoffs that matter.
Consult Questions VA Disability Attorneys Should Ask Before Opening a Case
The questions an attorney asks at consult determine what records to pull, what theory fits, and what gaps staff needs to close before workup begins.
How to Review a DD214 During VA Disability Case Opening
What firm teams must extract from a DD214 at case opening, which fields drive eligibility and theory, and what gaps should trigger follow-up before attorney review.
Red Flags to Catch During VA Disability Case Opening
Missed deadlines, weak nexus, prior denials, bad exams, and incomplete service records are the intake red flags most likely to delay or sink a VA disability case.