What document must be used to file a claim to be eligible for the one-year retroactive effective date?

The one-year retroactive effective date is a provision that allows veterans to receive benefits dating back to the date they filed their claim. To ensure eligibility for this retroactive date, veterans must use the appropriate form when submitting their claims.

VA Form 21-526 EZ is specifically designed for veterans to file disability compensation claims and includes all necessary information to assess the claim for benefits effective from the date of application, which is critical for claiming this one-year retroactive effective date. This streamlined application is tailored to facilitate the claims process quickly and efficiently, making it the correct choice for submitting initial claims.

Other forms listed serve different purposes, such as granting authority to release medical records (VA Form 21-4142), designating a representative for claims matters (VA Form 21-22), or supplemental claims (VA Form 21-526b). None of these forms fulfill the requirement of filing an original claim for disability compensation necessary to secure the one-year retroactive effective date. Therefore, VA Form 21-526 EZ is the correct document to use in this context.