What it is, what it isn't, and where it fits in the claims process.
What ClaimGap is
ClaimGap is a Windows desktop application that helps veterans organize the documentation, evidence, and personal statements needed to prepare a VA disability claim package.
It gives you a structured workspace for each condition you plan to claim organized around the sections of VA Form 21-526EZ. You can attach supporting files, draft personal statements, look up diagnostic codes with the body mapper, and review the overall readiness of your package before it leaves your hands.
The core idea is simple: most veterans know they're entitled to a claim, but they don't have a clear view of what they have, what they're missing, and where the documentation is thin. ClaimGap gives that work a stable local file and a visible process.
What ClaimGap is not
Not a claims agent or VSO
ClaimGap does not represent you before the VA, file claims on your behalf, or act as your advocate in any proceeding.
Not legal advice
Nothing in ClaimGap constitutes legal advice. For accredited legal representation, contact a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent.
Not a VA submission portal
ClaimGap does not connect to VA systems, submit documents to the VA, or have any affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Not a guarantee of outcomes
No software can predict or guarantee VA rating decisions. ClaimGap helps you prepare — it does not determine what rating you will receive.
Bottom line: ClaimGap is a private organizational tool for your own preparation. After you've finished organizing your claim package in ClaimGap, you still need to work with a VSO, accredited agent, or the VA directly to actually file.
Who it helps most
ClaimGap is most useful for veterans who are actively in the preparation phase of filing or refiling a VA disability claim. That includes:
Veterans filing for disability benefits for the first time and trying to understand what documentation is needed for each condition
Veterans who have previously been denied and want to organize additional evidence for a supplemental claim
Veterans with multiple conditions who have struggled to keep their evidence and notes organized across all of them
Veterans preparing to meet with a VSO who want to arrive with organized, condition-specific documentation
Veterans who prefer to do their own prep before handing the final package to an accredited representative
Family members or caregivers helping a veteran prepare documentation before filing
Where ClaimGap fits in the process
Think of the claim process in three phases: preparation, submission, and decision. ClaimGap lives entirely in the preparation phase.
Phase 1
Preparation
Organize, draft, review — this is where ClaimGap helps
Phase 2
Submission
File with VSO, accredited agent, or directly via VA
Phase 3
Decision
VA reviews, rates, and issues a decision
Common questions
Straightforward answers about what ClaimGap does and how it works.
No. ClaimGap is preparation software. It does not connect to VA systems, submit documents, or act as your representative. Once you've organized your package in ClaimGap, you still need to file through a VSO, accredited agent, or the VA's official portal (eBenefits / VA.gov).
All your data — claim workspaces, attached files, notes, and drafted statements — is stored locally on your Windows machine. ClaimGap does not transmit your data to any external server. There is no cloud sync, no account, and no third-party data sharing.
No software can predict or guarantee a VA rating decision. ClaimGap helps you identify where your documentation is incomplete so you can address it before filing. A better-organized, more complete claim package may reduce the likelihood of unnecessary denials, but the rating outcome depends on the VA, your evidence, and your medical history.
No. ClaimGap is designed to work independently of any external representative. You can use it entirely on your own. Many veterans find it useful specifically because it helps them come better-prepared when they do meet with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
Your claim work is saved in .vetclaim files in the location you chose when you created each claim. Reinstalling ClaimGap does not delete those files. After reinstalling, reopen them from the Claim Library using "Open" or by navigating to where they are saved. Back up .vetclaim files periodically to avoid loss if your machine fails.
Currently, ClaimGap is available for Windows 10 and Windows 11 only. Mac and mobile versions are not available at this time. There is a browser preview path, but some persistent-storage and desktop-only functions are intentionally limited there. The Windows desktop build has the fullest workflow.
No. ClaimGap is independent software and has no affiliation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. government, or any veterans service organization. It is a private application built to help veterans prepare claim packages.
Yes. ClaimGap is free to download and use. There is no subscription and no premium tier required to access the core tools. Check the Download page for the current release.
The current shipped app still shows "MERITUS — ClaimBuilder Suite" in its title bar and several internal screens. ClaimGap is the public-facing website identity for this product. The in-app labels reflect an earlier naming state that has not yet been fully updated. The features match the current application — the name mismatch is a known in-progress branding gap, not a sign that you're looking at a different product.
A .vetclaim file is the local claim file format the app uses to store your claim work. When you create a new claim, the app creates a .vetclaim file in a location you choose on your device. This file saves automatically as you work. You can back it up, move it, and reopen it from the Claim Library at any time. It is not a VA form or submission format — it is the app's own working file.
The app includes appeals lane pages for Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, Board Appeal, and Submit Appeal that are visible in the navigation. These are structured reference pages, not a full end-to-end appeals workflow. They provide form-oriented guidance for each lane, but the app's main workflow is built around initial and supplemental disability compensation claims.
Ready to see your claim more clearly?
Download ClaimGap, create your workspace, and see which conditions are ready and which still need work.