Intent to File: How to Lock in Your Backpay Date Today

You do not need to have all your evidence ready to "start the clock" on your backpay. You can file an Intent to File (ITF) today on VA.gov.

This gives you 12 months to gather evidence (with our help). If you win your claim 10 months from now, the VA will pay you back to today's date. Always have an active ITF on file!

Once the clock is protected, use the right evidence checklist for the claim you plan to build. Common next steps include the VA rating increase evidence checklist, shoulder rating checklist, ankle rating checklist, COPD rating checklist, and supplemental claim evidence checklist if you are answering a prior denial.