Before dawn on April 5, 1945, Lieutenant Vernon Baker led approximately 25 men ahead of their company toward Castle Aghinolfi, a German stronghold near Viareggio, Italy. Baker neutralized an enemy observation post and a machine gun crew, then continued to eliminate three machine gun positions and a dugout. He remained to assist with evacuating the wounded and, the following night, guided a battalion through minefields under heavy fire.

For his actions, the Army awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross. No Black soldier from World War II received the Medal of Honor until a 1993 Army-commissioned study revealed that the awards process had been influenced by systemic racial discrimination. In January 1997, at age 77, Baker accepted the Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton at the White House, the only living recipient among seven honorees. Although recognition took more than 50 years, Baker’s actions in Italy remain significant, as does your service.

Read Vernon Baker’s full story at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society below.

Select any condition below, and we'll send a detailed information packet to your email, covering your diagnosis and how it may affect your VA claim.

You can file an original disability claim on VA Form 21-526EZ at any time, no matter how long you've been out. Waiting doesn't disqualify you, but it does cost you money. Your effective date, the date your benefits start counting from, is generally the day the VA receives your claim. (The main exception is that if you file within a year of leaving the military, your benefits can start from the day after your discharge.)

Most veterans have never heard of this, and it's the most useful tool for a late filer.

If a condition showed up years after service, it can still be service-connected. Common examples:

Instead of limiting who can file and who is approved, it limits re-exams. For veterans over 55, the VA generally won't schedule routine re-examinations of a rated condition except in unusual circumstances, so a rating won later in life is less likely to be reviewed and reduced.

Grab your DD-214 and list every condition you believe is connected to your service, including minor ones and ones that appeared years later. Not ready to file the full claim? Submit an Intent to File today so the clock starts working for you.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

This brief guide walks you through VA Form 21-526EZ, the form used to file an original disability claim, and explains what the VA wants in each section. Most mistakes happen because veterans aren’t sure what each field means.

Watch this before you start filling out the form.

Were you prescribed Dupixent (dupilumab) and later diagnosed with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)?

Recent studies have linked long-term Dupixent use to an increased risk of CTCL, a rare skin cancer. If you took Dupixent for at least one month and were diagnosed with CTCL—or a subtype like Mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome—after your first dose, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Find out if you qualify. The case review is free and confidential.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.