No, you are not required to print and submit your VA medical records for a mental health claim; the VA has a legal duty to assist you in obtaining those records per 38 CFR 3.159(c). Your actionable steps are: 1) File an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) immediately to preserve your earliest possible effective date; 2) Submit a formal claim using the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program via VA Form 21-526EZ, which typically offers faster processing—explicitly list your claimed conditions (e.g., PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder); 3) In your application, clearly identify your treatment facilities and authorize the VA to obtain your VA treatment records and any relevant private records; 4) Provide a detailed personal statement (VA Form 21-4138) describing the in-service stressor(s) and current symptoms, linking them to the diagnostic criteria in 38 CFR 4.130 (likely under Diagnostic Code 9400 for PTSD or 9434 for depression); 5) Submit any key private medical evidence you already possess, like a nexus letter, directly. The VA will then schedule your Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, where the examiner will review your file; case law like *Buchanan v. Nicholson* emphasizes the importance of this exam in assessing severity. **Disclaimer: This is educational information for claims preparation and not official legal or medical advice; for personalized guidance, consult an accredited VSO, agent, or attorney.**
No. VA has a duty to assist and can request records on your behalf from a VA medical center, another federal facility, or a private provider — you simply list the facility name and the dates you were treated on your application. See VA's official evidence-needed guidance for what to provide. The records worth submitting yourself are the private ones VA can't easily reach, such as a nexus letter from an outside doctor.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →With a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) you submit all the evidence you already have — or can quickly obtain — when you file, which can lead to a faster decision. With a standard claim, VA takes on more of the responsibility for gathering evidence itself. Either way you file on VA Form 21-526EZ; the FDC is a processing lane, not a separate form.
Filing an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) before your full claim secures the earliest possible effective date for any retroactive payments while you finish gathering your evidence and statements. It costs nothing and buys you time to file a complete claim.
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