VA Claim Procedures Exam Questions (2026): 15 Free Practice Questions with Answers

1. On March 10, 2025, VA receives a veteran’s intent to file on the prescribed form. On February 20, 2026, VA receives the complete claim. Under 38 CFR 3.155(b), as of what date is the complete claim considered filed?

1. A. February 20, 2026, the date VA received the complete claim
2. B. March 10, 2025, the date VA received the intent to file, because the complete claim arrived within one year
3. C. March 10, 2026, one year after the intent to file
4. D. The date VA mailed the application form to the veteran

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.155(b), a complete claim received within one year of the intent to file is considered filed as of the intent-to-file date.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A is the main trap; the whole point of the intent to file is to preserve the earlier date.

Source: 38 CFR 3.155(b)

2. VA needs private treatment records for a veteran’s claim. Under 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1), what efforts must VA make?

1. A. One request only, then VA may decide the claim
2. B. An initial request and at least one follow-up request if the records are not received
3. C. As many requests as necessary, the same standard as for Federal records
4. D. No requests; the veteran must submit all private records personally

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1), for private records VA makes an initial request and at least one follow-up if the records do not arrive. Federal records get the stricter as-many-as-necessary standard.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: C applies the Federal-record standard to private records; the regulation treats them differently.

Source: 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1)

3. Under 38 CFR 3.159(d)(1), VA will provide a medical examination or opinion when which conditions are met?

1. A. Whenever the veteran requests one
2. B. Only after the claim has been denied once
3. C. When there is competent evidence of a current disability, evidence of an in-service event, and an indication that the disability may be associated with service
4. D. Only for mental health claims

Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. Under 38 CFR 3.159(d)(1), VA provides an exam when the record shows a current disability, an in-service event or injury, and some indication linking the two.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A overstates the right; the exam duty is triggered by the evidentiary showing, not by request alone.

Source: 38 CFR 3.159(d)(1)

4. Under 38 U.S.C. 5103A(a), VA’s duty to assist applies to which claims?

1. A. Only claims for service connection
2. B. Claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, generally
3. C. Only claims filed by veterans, not survivors
4. D. Only claims where the veteran is represented

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 U.S.C. 5103A(a), the duty to assist applies broadly to claims for benefits under the laws VA administers.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A narrows a broad statutory duty to one benefit type.

Source: 38 U.S.C. 5103A(a)

5. Under 38 CFR 3.103, which procedural right does every claimant have?

1. A. jury trial on the claim
2. B. Notice of decisions and the right to a hearing
3. C. personal meeting with the Secretary
4. D. Representation only by an attorney

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.103, claimants have the right to notice of VA decisions and the right to a hearing, the core of procedural due process in VA adjudication.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A imports a court-trial right that does not exist in the VA administrative system.

Source: 38 CFR 3.103

6. A veteran is hospitalized at a VA facility for a service-connected knee disability. Under 38 CFR 3.157(b)(1), what is the effect of the hospital report?

1. A. It has no claims effect; only a prescribed form can start a claim
2. B. It is accepted as an informal claim for an increased rating for the knee
3. C. It automatically increases the rating to 100 percent
4. D. It is treated as a new claim for service connection

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.157(b)(1), a VA hospital or examination report showing worsening of a service-connected disability is accepted as an informal claim for an increased rating.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A ignores this long-standing informal-claim rule.

Source: 38 CFR 3.157(b)(1)

7. In the legacy appeals system, evidence received during the one-year appeal period after a decision was treated how under 38 CFR 3.156(b)?

1. A. It was ignored unless the veteran filed a new claim
2. B. It was considered to have been filed in connection with the claim decided, as new and material evidence
3. C. It was returned to the veteran unopened
4. D. It automatically reopened the claim with a new effective date

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.156(b), new and material evidence received during the appeal period is considered filed with the claim that was decided, keeping the original claim alive.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A misstates the rule; the appeal-period provision exists to avoid exactly that outcome.

Source: 38 CFR 3.156(b)

8. Under 38 CFR 3.160(a), which of the following is required for a complete claim?

1. A. handwritten letter describing symptoms
2. B. An application on the form prescribed by the Secretary
3. C. phone call to the VA regional office
4. D. An email to the veteran’s VSO

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.160(a), a complete claim must be filed on the application form prescribed by the Secretary.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A describes an informal communication, not a complete claim under the current rule.

Source: 38 CFR 3.160(a)

9. Under 38 CFR 3.159(e), VA’s duty to notify requires VA to tell the claimant what?

1. A. The names of the VA employees deciding the claim
2. B. What information and evidence is needed to substantiate the claim, what VA will obtain, and what the claimant should provide
3. C. The exact date the decision will issue
4. D. Which diagnostic code will be assigned

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.159(e), VA must notify the claimant what evidence is needed, which evidence VA will get, and which evidence the claimant is expected to provide.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: C promises a decision date the regulation never requires.

Source: 38 CFR 3.159(e)

10. After VA sends the 38 U.S.C. 5103 notice requesting evidence, how long does the claimant generally have to submit it before VA may decide the claim?

1. A. 30 days
2. B. 60 days
3. C. One year
4. D. There is no deadline

Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. Under 38 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1), a claimant has one year from the notice to submit the requested information and evidence.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A confuses the VCAA one-year period with shorter procedural deadlines elsewhere.

Source: 38 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)

11. Under 38 CFR 3.151(a), a claim for VA benefits must do what to be valid?

1. A. Be filed by an accredited representative
2. B. Identify the benefit sought
3. C. Include a medical opinion
4. D. Be filed within one year of service

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.151(a), a claim must identify the benefit sought so VA knows what is being claimed.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: C adds an evidence requirement that belongs to substantiation, not to filing a valid claim.

Source: 38 CFR 3.151(a)

12. Under 38 CFR 3.155(a), a claim that is not filed on the prescribed form is treated how?

1. A. It is a complete claim anyway if VA can understand it
2. B. It is not a complete claim; VA will notify the claimant of the information necessary to complete it
3. C. It is denied immediately
4. D. It is held for five years and then discarded

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.155(a), a submission that is not on the prescribed form is not a complete claim, and VA notifies the claimant what is needed to complete it.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A reflects the old informal-claim era, not the current prescribed-form rule.

Source: 38 CFR 3.155(a)

13. Under 38 U.S.C. 5103A(d)(1), when is VA required to provide a medical examination?

1. A. In every claim for an increased rating
2. B. When an examination is necessary to make a decision on the claim
3. C. Only when the veteran appeals to the Board
4. D. Only for claims filed within one year of separation

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 U.S.C. 5103A(d)(1), VA must provide a medical examination when one is necessary to decide the claim.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A would make exams automatic; the statute ties the duty to decisional necessity.

Source: 38 U.S.C. 5103A(d)(1)

14. A veteran’s private doctor refuses to send records after VA’s initial and follow-up requests. Under 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1) and (e), what should VA do next?

1. A. Deny the claim immediately for failure to prosecute
2. B. Notify the veteran of the missing records and give the veteran the opportunity to submit them
3. C. Close the claim without further notice
4. D. Order the veteran to change doctors

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1) and (e), when private records cannot be obtained, VA notifies the claimant and gives the opportunity to provide them.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A skips the required notice; VA must tell the claimant what is missing first.

Source: 38 CFR 3.159(c)(1), (e)

15. Under 38 CFR 3.103(c), testimony at a VA hearing is taken under what condition?

1. A. It is informal and unrecorded
2. B. It is under oath or affirmation
3. C. It must be submitted in writing only
4. D. It is limited to 10 minutes per witness

Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Under 38 CFR 3.103(c), hearing testimony is taken under oath or affirmation, preserving its evidentiary value.

Why the tempting wrong answer fails: A understates the formality; sworn testimony is the rule.

Source: 38 CFR 3.103(c)