Good afternoon, my brothers and sisters in arms. I am a DAV Chapter 90 Service Officer in Massachusetts and as such I work with veterans in my chapter’s community with veteran’s claims that they want to submit to the VA regarding disabling injuries both physical and mental (or hidden injuries). For the average veteran, this can be a daunting task. I and others like me, try to pave the way to make the task easier… But there is a right way and a wrong way to make your claim happen, get it reviewed by the VA and get the desired consideration. The system isn’t perfect, but it is improving all the time.

Finally, a way to prepare and submit a claim to the VA regarding a hidden disability caused by an event which occurred to you during your military service that heretofore was difficult, at best, to handle or complete. VA Form 21-0781 has been completely re-written to address this problem… Also, VA form VA-21-0781A has been deleted from use and the new form for all Hidden Injuries or disorders due to an In-service Traumatic Event is now the new VA form21-0781 effective July 2024!

I recommend you go to the following VA link: - https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0781/

For more details about this new VA Form. Further, I highly recommend that you contact and/or engage a DAV Chapter or Department Service Officer to assist you. Contact your nearest DAV Chapter and ask to speak with or contact a CSO, DSO or NSO (Chapter, Department, or National)… If you don’t know where to go, go to https://www.DAV.org and just above the main menu line, click on “FIND A DAV LOCATION” and then enter your zip code and it will give you the chapter’s nearest to you. There is NO COST to the veteran for the DAV’s assistance… However, please note: The Veteran is responsible for the data required to complete your claim, not the DAV. You know your data, we (DAV) do not.

Kerry Harkins
Commander & CSO
DAV Chapter 90
Norwood, MA


________________________________ ✼✼☼✼✼ ______________________________