Glossary
VA terms, in plain English.
The words on your rating letter, your loan estimate, and your advisor's paperwork. Each one gets a one or two sentence definition, a plain-language explanation, and a link to the official source.
Term
C&P Exam
Describe your worst days. Be honest and specific. If your pain or symptoms change day-to-day, explain how you feel on your worst days.
Full definitionTerm
Effective Date
How the VA Decides Your Effective Date The VA determines this date based on strict rules, usually choosing whichever date comes later: The date the VA received your claim. Stamped into law. This is the most common effective date. If you filed an Intent to File first, that earlier date acts as a placeholder and usually becomes your effective date. The date your disability first became service-connected. This is the day your medical records prove your injury or illness actually began or worsened.
Full definitionTerm
Presumptive Condition
A presumptive conditions are health issues that the Department of Veterans Affairs automatically assumes are service-connected. Veterans with a presumptive condition do not need to prove a medical link to their service, requiring only a formal diagnosis and proof of qualifying service.
Full definitionTerm
Service-Connected
Service-connection is a term used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to describe the relationship between a veteran’s current medical condition and their military service. In simple terms, if an illness, injury, or disability was caused or made worse by a veteran’s active duty service, that condition can be considered service-connected.
Full definitionMissing a term?
If a word on your paperwork is not here yet, tell us which one and where you saw it. New terms are added as the site grows.
Definitions on this site are plain-language summaries written for education. They are not legal advice. When the wording matters, read the official source linked on each term.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.