How to Get Your Disability Breakdown Letter
The Disability Breakdown Letter is your official rating summary from the VA. It shows every condition you are service connected for, the percentage for each condition, your combined rating, and your effective dates. This letter is the foundation of your claim because your provider uses it to understand what the VA has already granted, what was denied, and what still needs to be connected or increased.
It is also known as your VA Benefits Summary and Service Connected Disabilities Letter, and it shows:
- every condition the VA has already granted
- every rating percentage
- your combined rating
- effective dates
- proof of service connection
- proof of benefits eligibility
For help obtaining your DBL, follow the instructions below, or you may contact your Records Specialist for help walking through obtaining your records.
Steps to obtain
Call the VA directly
- Call 800 827 1000.
- When the automated system asks for your reason, say “benefits letter”.
- When a representative answers, tell them: “I need my Benefits Summary and Service Connected Disabilities letter mailed to me.”
- Confirm your mailing address.
- The VA will mail the official letter to your home within a few days.
Download your current ratings from VA.gov
You can also download your current service-connected disability ratings directly from your VA.gov account. This is a fast way to get a copy while you wait for the official letter to arrive in the mail.