Match exactly to your DD-214 / VA records. The ITF is filed under your identity and creates the placeholder claim that the formal application will attach to.

(use legal name from DD-214)

• ×Mismatched name or SSN with VA records - ITF rejected at intake; you lose the protected effective date.
• ×Forgetting VA File Number when one exists (older veterans) - ITF may file separately from the active jacket.

Check ALL that apply: (a) Compensation (service-connected disability), (b) Pension (low-income wartime non-service-connected), (c) Survivors Pension (surviving spouse/child needs-based), (d) DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for survivors of service-connected death). You can check multiple if you intend to file multiple types - but each ITF box only protects the date for that specific benefit.

Check all applicable boxes

• ×Checking only "Compensation" when you also intend to claim Pension - you lose pension back pay if you later add it.
• ×Survivors checking only DIC and not Survivors Pension when both might apply - file both to preserve eligibility.
• ×Veterans filing ITF for Compensation when planning to claim Survivors benefits later - those are different ITF buckets.

Sign and date today (or whatever date you want as your protected effective date - VA accepts the receipt date as the ITF date for online filings via VA.gov, or the postmark date for mailed forms).

(signature/date when filing)

• ×Backdating the signature - federal crime. The protected effective date is the date VA RECEIVES the ITF, not the date you write on it.
• ×Filing ITF and then forgetting the 1-year deadline to submit the formal application - back-pay protection EXPIRES at 1 year. Set a calendar reminder.
• ×Filing on paper when faster electronic filing via VA.gov is available - the online pathway timestamps immediately.