# Set up a veteran case: branch, service dates and theory

> How to set up a Veteran Disability case in Medrecords AI: pick the type, then check the branch, service dates and theory of service connection.

Canonical page: https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/va-disability/setup/

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## Set up a veteran case: branch, service dates and theory

To set up a veteran case in Medrecords AI, pick Veteran Disability as the case type and upload the records. After the first read, the app fills in the branch of service, the service dates and the theory of service connection where the records show them. You check each one and fix it before you confirm.

Last checked 2026-10-24 — ·Written by Ahmed Jemaa

**Help center contents26 articles**
Start here

- [Choose the right case type](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/choose-case-type/)
- [Which files can you upload?](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/file-types-limits/)
- [Confirm the case details, key date and focus](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/confirm-case/)
- [Fix a failed upload or a stuck case](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/troubleshooting/)

Work with the records

- [Read the medical chronology](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/chronology/)
- [Check any fact against its source page](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/verify-source/)
- [Search your records with exact text or keywords](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/search/)
- [Filter and group the documents index](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/documents-index/)
- [Add flags, highlights and notes to records](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/annotations/)
- [How duplicate pages are found and removed](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/deduplication/)
- [Work through the missing records list](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/missing-records/)
- [Add records to an existing case](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/add-records-later/)

Write and share

- [Edit the chronological narrative](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/narrative/)
- [Create a report in Report Studio](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/report-studio/)
- [Set up report templates](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/templates/)
- [Export your work](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/export/)

Account and trust

- [Set your role](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/roles/)
- [Is Medrecords AI HIPAA compliant, and who can see my cases?](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/security-hipaa/)
- [How accurate is Medrecords AI, and what are its limits?](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/accuracy-limits/)
- [Glossary of terms](https://medrecords.ai/help/glossary/)

Case type playbooks

- [Work a birth injury case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/birth-injury/)
- [Work a nursing home neglect case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/nursing-home/)
- [Work a VA disability case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/va-disability/)
- [Work a mass tort case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/mass-tort/)
- [Work a medical malpractice case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/medical-malpractice/)
- [Work a personal injury or car crash case](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/personal-injury/)

[See every topic on the help center home](https://medrecords.ai/help/)

### Step 1: pick the case type

When you create the case, pick **Veteran Disability** from the case type list. Your role only changes the order of the list. Every role can open this type. See [choose the right case type](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/choose-case-type/).

Then upload the C-file and any private records. The next article covers [what to upload and how to find each kind of record](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/va-disability/records/).

### Step 2: wait for the first read

When the first read of the records is done, the case status changes to **Needs confirming** . The **Confirm case details** window opens on its own.

The window has a section called **Case details** . Nothing in it is required. A field you leave empty is saved as not stated in the records. An empty choice shows "Not stated in the records".

### Step 3: check the 3 veteran fields

The app fills these in from the records where it can. You check them and change them.

| Field | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| Branch of service | Pick 1: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, or National Guard / Reserve |
| Service dates | The dates of service. Compare them with the discharge papers in the file |
| Theory of service connection | Pick the theory the claim rests on. See the next table |

Every case type also has **Forum state** . Check it too.

### Pick the theory of service connection

The theory is the reason the condition is tied to service. Pick the 1 that fits the claim.

| Choice | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| Direct | The condition is tied to service itself |
| Secondary | The condition follows a condition that is already service connected |
| Presumptive | The claim rests on a recognized exposure or program |
| Aggravation | Service made a condition worse that was there before |

The theory tells you what the records need to show. A secondary claim needs a link to the first condition. An aggravation claim needs records from before service. If you are not sure, ask the attorney or agent on the claim. The app does not choose for you.

### Step 4: check the claimed conditions

The case focus lists the claimed conditions. Remove any that are not part of the claim. Add any that are missing in "+ add your own". Check the key date as well. On this case type it is called "Date of separation from service".

### Step 5: confirm

Press **Confirm and continue** . Confirming is free. You write reports later in the Report studio.

Check every field with care first. Details cannot be edited after you confirm. The only time the window opens again is when you [add records to the case later](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/add-records-later/). Your earlier answers are kept then, and you can update them.

For the full confirm step, see [confirm the case details](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/confirm-case/).

### Tips

- Use the discharge papers for the branch and service dates. Do not guess.
- Use **National Guard / Reserve** for Guard and Reserve service.
- If the file does not show a field, leave it empty. It is saved as not stated.

Read more about [VA claim support for accredited representatives](https://medrecords.ai/solutions/va-accredited-representatives/).

Only VA-accredited attorneys, agents and Veterans Service Organizations may help prepare and present VA claims for a fee. Medrecords AI is a records tool for them and their staff.

Medrecords AI organizes and cites the records. Its output is not a medical or legal opinion and does not replace your expert.

### Related help

- [Review a VA disability claim in Medrecords AI](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/va-disability/)
- [Confirm the case details, key date and focus](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/confirm-case/)
- [Choose the right case type in Medrecords AI](https://medrecords.ai/help/tasks/choose-case-type/)
- [Upload a C-file and find each kind of record](https://medrecords.ai/help/case-types/va-disability/records/)

Facts checked against the Medrecords AI app code on 2026-10-24.

### Try it on a real file

Upload a case and see the page count and cost before you confirm.

[Book a demo](https://medrecords.ai/demo/)
