--- title: "Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section A General Information About the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part X, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section A" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/x.i.2.a-general-information-about-the-fully-developed-claim-fdc" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177940/M21-1-Part-X-Subpart-i-Chapter-2-Section-A-General-Information-About-the-Fully-Developed-Claim-FDC-Program" updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:47.512967Z" --- September 12, 2017 ### X.i.2.A.1.a. Purpose of the FDC Program The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) designed the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program for the purpose of * reducing its backlog of pending claims, and * improving claims-processing timeliness. ### X.i.2.A.1.b. Benefits of and Criteria for Participation in the FDC Program In order to streamline the claims process, the FDC Program requires claimants that choose to participate in this program to * submit their claim on a specific form that contains language which satisfies the general notice requirements of [38 U.S.C. 5103]() * simultaneously submit all private medical treatment records with their claim * identify any relevant treatment records at a Federal facility, and * submit any additional forms or treatment records required under special circumstances that support their specific claim. In addition to reduced claims processing time, FDC claimants who filed an original compensation claim between August 6, 2013, through August 5, 2015, potentially benefit from the retroactive effective date temporarily established by Section 506 of _Public Law 112-154_.**Note:** Service members who do not meet the requirements for pre-separation claim processing through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program may file an FDC claim from one to 180 days prior to discharge. **References:** For information on * the forms claimants must use when submitting an FDC, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.a * exclusions from the FDC Program, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.2]() * special issue FDCs that require development letters, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.3.b]() * determining an effective date for a grant of benefits under the FDC Program, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.4](), and * the requirements for processing of pre-separation claims through the BDD program, see [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B](). ## 2. Forms Claimants Must Use When Submitting an FDC This topic contains information on the forms claimants must use when submitting an FDC, including * list of forms claimants must use to participate in the FDC Program * use of EZ forms by claimants who do not want to participate in the FDC Program * unique characteristics of the EZ forms * notice claimants receive in * _VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits_ * _VA Form 21P-527EZ, Application for Pension_ * _VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Death Pension, and /or Accrued Benefits_, and * _VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23)_ * handling an incomplete EZ form, and * handling an unsigned EZ form. August 20, 2025 ### X.i.2.A.2.a. List of Forms Claimants Must Use to Participate in the FDC Program The table below lists the forms claimants **_must_** use in order to participate in the FDC Program.| **If the claimant is seeking ...**| **Then the claimant must use the current version of ...** disability compensation| [ _VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits_](). Veterans Pension| [ _VA Form 21P-527EZ, Application for Pension_](). survivors benefits| [ _VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Survivors Pension, and /or Accrued Benefits_](). burial benefits| [ _VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits (Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 23)_](). **Notes:** * Follow the instructions in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.2.d](), for excluding a claim from the FDC Program if a claimant * requests processing of the claim under the FDC Program, using a form other than those listed in the table above, or * uses an outdated version of an EZ form, as defined in [M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.B.4](), to apply for benefits. * A Veteran who simultaneously claims entitlement to both compensation **_and_** pension under the FDC Program must submit both * [ _VA Form 21-526EZ_](), **_and_** * [ _VA Form 21P-527EZ_](). * The EZ forms identified in this block * are considered valid forms for submission of an original claim, as defined by [38 CFR 3.160(b)](), but * _must_ be submitted by claimants each time they file a claim for respective benefits under the FDC Program. ### X.i.2.A.2.b. Use of EZ Forms by Claimants Who Do Not Want to Participate in the FDC Program Claimants who do **_not_** want VA to process their claim under the FDC Program may also use the EZ forms listed in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.a, to apply for benefits. Depending upon the benefit sought and/or form submitted, claimants notify VA of this intent by * selecting _STANDARD CLAIM PROCESS_ as the claim program/process desired, or * checking the box next to the form’s statement that reads: _I DO NOT want my claim considered for rapid processing under the FDC Program because I plan to submit further evidence in support of my claim_. If the [_VA Form 21-526EZ_]() contains selections for _both_ the FDC Program and the standard claim process, or _neither_ , default to processing the claim through the FDC Program, and follow procedures found in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.2.d]() if exclusion from the FDC Program is or becomes necessary. ### X.i.2.A.2.c. Unique Characteristics of the EZ Forms [38 U.S.C. 5103]() requires VA to notify claimants of the evidence they must submit in order to establish entitlement to the benefit(s) they are seeking. The forms listed in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.a, are unique in that they provide this notice along with the application for benefits, thereby eliminating the need for VA to * provide the notice _after_ receiving the application, and/or * allow time for claimants to respond to the notice. The forms listed in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.a, also contain an explanation of the general differences between the FDC process and the standard claim process, to include what the claimant needs to do and when the claimant should submit information and evidence.**References:** For more information on the notice VA provides to claimants in * [ _VA Form 21-526EZ_](), see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.d * [ _VA Form 21P-527EZ_](), see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.e * [ _VA Form 21P-534EZ_](), see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.f, and * [ _VA Form 21P-530EZ_](), see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A.2.g. ### X.i.2.A.2.d. Notice Claimants Receive in VA Form 21-526EZ [ _VA Form 21-526EZ_]() provides claimants with the notice [38 U.S.C. 5103]() requires for the following types of disability compensation claims: * service connection (SC) for disabilities related to the following types of service: * active duty * active duty for training, or * inactive duty training * secondary SC * increased disability compensation * compensation claims submitted prior to discharge * individual unemployability * temporary total disability rating due to * hospitalization, or * surgical or other treatment * compensation under [38 U.S.C. 1151]() * special monthly compensation based on the * need for aid and attendance (A&A), or * status of being housebound * additional benefits for a spouse who needs A&A * specially adapted housing or special home adaptation * automobile allowance or adaptive equipment, and * additional compensation for a Veteran with a child incapable of self-support. **Exception:** Certain special issue claims require additional notification as outlined in [M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.B.1.e](). In these cases, follow the procedures outlined in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.3](), for providing a subsequent development letter. ### X.i.2.A.2.e. Notice Claimants Receive in VA Form 21P-527EZ [ _VA Form 21P-527EZ_]() provides claimants with the notice [38 U.S.C. 5103]() requires for the following types of Veterans Pension claims: * Veterans Pension * special monthly pension based on the * need for A&A, or * status of being housebound, and * additional Veterans Pension benefits for a Veteran with a child incapable of self-support. **Note:** VA accepts electronically filed versions of [_VA Form 21P-527EZ_]() submitted through on-line applications.**Reference:** For more information on processing on-line applications without a signature, see [M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.A.2.d](). ### X.i.2.A.2.f. Notice Claimants Receive in VA Form 21P-534EZ [ _VA Form 21P-534EZ_]() provides claimants with the notice [38 U.S.C. 5103]() requires for claims for the following types of survivors benefits: * accrued benefits * Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for death related to the following types of service: * active duty * active duty for training, or * inactive duty training * DIC under [38 U.S.C. 1318]() * DIC under [38 U.S.C. 1151]() * Survivors Pension and Parents’ DIC * additional survivors benefits based on the * need for A&A, or * status of being housebound, and * benefits for a deceased Veteran’s child incapable of self-support. ### X.i.2.A.2.g. Notice Claimants Receive in VA Form 21P-530EZ [ _VA Form 21P-530EZ_]() provides claimants with the notice [38 U.S.C. 5103]() requires for claims for the following types of burial benefits: * non-service connected burial allowance * service-connected burial allowance * plot or interment allowance * transportation benefit, and * burial benefits for the unclaimed remains of a Veteran. ### X.i.2.A.2.h. Handling an Incomplete EZ Form Follow the instructions in the table below if a claimant who requests processing of the claim under the FDC Program submits an EZ form that is incomplete.| **If the EZ form ...**| **Then ...** does not contain enough information to identify _any_ of the claimant’s contentions| * treat the EZ form as an incomplete application, and * follow instructions found in [M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.C.1](). contains enough information to identify some, but not all, of the claimant’s contentions| * follow the instructions in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.1](), and * attempt to obtain clarification from the claimant by telephone. If telephone contact with the claimant is unsuccessful or further attempts to obtain clarification would result in a delay of more than one business day, follow the instructions in [M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.B.2.a]() for excluding the claim from the FDC Program. does not contain enough information to identify the claimant| follow the instructions in [M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.C.5]() for handling unidentifiable mail. **Reference:** For more information on identifying and handling incomplete FDCs filed prior to March 24, 2015, see the attachment, _Historical_M21-1III_i_3_SecA_2-27-19.docx_. ### X.i.2.A.2.i. Handling an Unsigned EZ Form Follow the instructions found in [M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.C.2.b](), to treat as an incomplete application any EZ form that constitutes a(n) * _original_ claim for benefits, unsigned by the claimant, or * _non-original_ claim for benefits, signed by neither the claimant nor authorized representative. **Important:** * If an EZ form constituting a _non-original_ claim for benefits is signed by the authorized representative _only_ , send the claimant a Section 5103 notice, and continue processing the claim under the FDC Program. * VA does **_not_** require a signature on forms claimants submit through VONAPP, VDC, or Vets.gov. **References:** For more information on * the notice requirements of [38 U.S.C. 5103](), see * [M21-1, Part I, Subpart i, 1.A](), and * [M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.B]() * processing on-line applications without a signature, see [M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.A.2.d](), and * handling unsigned EZ forms constituting non-original claims prior to March 24, 2015, see the attachment, _Historical_M21-1III_i_3_SecA_2-27-19.docx_.