Skip to content
New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Update claims-and-applications.md #3617

Draft
wants to merge 4 commits into
base: main
Choose a base branch
from
Draft
Show file tree
Hide file tree
Changes from all commits
Commits
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension

Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
6 changes: 3 additions & 3 deletions src/_content-style-guide/00_word-list.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
: On the Board Appeal form, a Veteran selects a Direct Review, Evidence Submission, or Hearing “appeal option” from the list of Board Appeal options. Avoid use of the word “lane.”

**apply**
: Use "file a claim for disability compensation" instead of "apply for benefits." "Apply" is OK for other benefits, such as "Apply for VA health care."
: Use this term in the context of non-disability benefits, like this: apply for DIC benefits or apply for VA health care. Use "file" for disability compensation, like this: file a claim for disability. Go to [Claims and applications](https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/specific-topics-and-programs/claims-and-applications) for more guidance related to this word.

**Armed Forces**
: Capitalize. The Armed Forces consist of 6 service branches: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force. Also refer to the "uniformed services" entry.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
: Capitalize in Vietnam Era (this is a VA term). If you need to talk about the Vietnam War, which has different dates associated with it than Vietnam Era, style it with "era," lowercase: Vietnam War era.

**evidence**
: Define as "supporting documents" and add, "like a doctor's report or medical test results," as needed.
: Define as "supporting documents" and add, "like a doctor's report or medical test results," as needed. Go to [Claims and applications](https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/specific-topics-and-programs/claims-and-applications) for more guidance related to this word.

**Exception**
: Used to call special attention to something. It should be bolded and never in all caps. Use a colon following "Exception."
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
: Define on first mention in body copy as "a sickness that causes tiredness, pain in different areas of your body, and sleep, memory, and mood problems." Include definition in another sentence, as a parenthetical, or set off with commas.

**file a claim for disability compensation**
: Use "file a claim" instead of "apply for benefits" when referring to disability.
: Use "file a claim" instead of "apply for benefits" when referring to disability. Go to [Claims and applications](https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/specific-topics-and-programs/claims-and-applications) for more guidance related to this word.

**final status**
: Use “in final status” instead of “in a final status."
Expand Down
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -38,17 +38,20 @@ Not this: "I'm a non-Veteran claimant."
: We use claim exams to determine if a Veteran has a service-connected disability. We also use claim exams to rate that disability.
: - Note: This term is evolving. For now, on first mention on a page, use “VA claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam).” After first mention, use “VA claim exam” or “claim exam.”

**file** (noun)
: We use this term to refer to the actual file a Veteran is uploading from their device. These may not be “documents” as in .doc. They could be .pdf, .jpg, .png, or other file types.
: - Note: Button text on file upload screens should say "Upload file," not "Upload document" or "Upload evidence."

**document**
: We use this term to refer to the digital or paper item a Veteran is submitting as evidence.
: - Note: File input screens in form flows should use "document" in the screen header. For example, "Upload your supporting documents."

**evidence**
: We use evidence to refer to all documents and information you submit to support your claim or application. We define evidence as “supporting documents or information.” Supporting documents and other information become evidence when they get attached to a claim or application.

**file** (noun)
: We use this term to refer to the actual file a Veteran is uploading from their device. These may not be “documents” as in .doc. They could be .pdf, .jpg, .png, or other file types.
: - Note: Button text on file upload screens should say "Upload file," not "Upload document" or "Upload evidence."

**request**
: We use requests to refer to a formal ask for something. This could be asking for a next step or further action on something—like requesting a decision review or clinical appeal. Or this could be asking for an item—like requesting a Presidential Memorial Certificate. When you submit a request on VA.gov, you usually don't need to explain why you're eligible in the request itself. This differs from applications, which often involve someone explaining or proving that they're eligible. We also use this term in the context of reimbursement for licensing and certification tests and the prep courses for those tests.

**sponsor**
: We use this word in forms and other content to refer to the Veteran who earned the benefits that a family member may be using. It's OK to use the word sponsor but lead with the plain language definition.

Expand Down
Loading