User Guide
Legatus organizes every tool around a 5-phase VA claims journey. This guide walks you through what each tool does, which ones are free, and how they fit together to help you build the strongest possible claim.
Getting Started
- 1Browse free tools — start with the Condition Guides, Rating Calculator, or Secondary Conditions explorer. No account needed.
- 2Create a free account — unlock AI-powered tools like the Condition Finder, Nexus Evaluator, and AI Chat. Sign up here.
- 3Upgrade for advanced features — the Evidence Vault, claim management dashboard, and intelligence assessments require a Core or Intensive plan. View plans.
- 4Follow the 5-phase journey — work through the phases below from discovery to post-filing support.
Access Levels
Phase 1: Discover Your Conditions
Identify service-connected conditions, find presumptive categories, and understand what the VA rates.
Condition Guides
Free277 plain-language guides explaining VA rating criteria at every level for each condition.
Condition Finder
AccountDescribe your symptoms and let AI match them to ratable VA conditions.
Check whether your conditions qualify for presumptive service connection based on service era and location.
Phase 2: Understand the Requirements
Learn what evidence the VA needs, how secondary conditions work, and what to expect at your C&P exam.
Explore medically recognized secondary conditions linked to your primary service-connected disabilities.
C&P Exam Prep
FreeCondition-specific guides on what examiners test, common pitfalls, and how to describe your worst days.
Walk through Disability Benefits Questionnaire forms to understand what your doctor needs to document.
Phase 3: Gather Your Evidence
Build a strong evidentiary foundation with nexus letters, buddy statements, and organized medical records.
Nexus Letter Evaluator
AccountUpload a nexus letter and get AI analysis of its strength, completeness, and VA compliance.
Buddy Statement Builder
AccountGuided wizard that helps you or a fellow service member write a compelling lay statement.
Evidence Vault
Core+Securely upload, organize, and track all your supporting documents with AI classification.
Phase 4: File & Calculate
Estimate your combined rating, understand effective dates, and organize your claims before filing.
Calculate your combined VA disability rating using the official bilateral factor and rounding rules.
Estimate when your benefits start based on filing date, intent to file, and claim type.
Claims Workspace
FreeOrganize conditions, track evidence status, and plan your filing strategy in one place.
Phase 5: After Filing
Respond to denials, prepare for hearings, track appeal timelines, and connect with accredited representatives.
Denial Letter Analyzer
AccountUpload your denial letter and get a breakdown of the reasons with recommended appeal strategies.
Understand appeal lane deadlines, expected wait times, and which review option fits your situation.
Hearing Preparation
AccountPractice for your Board of Veterans Appeals hearing with AI-simulated questions and feedback.
VSO Finder
FreeBrowse accredited Veterans Service Organizations and find a representative near you.
AI Chat
AccountAsk questions about VA claims, ratings, evidence, and procedures in a conversational format.
Dashboard & Claim Management
Paid subscribers get a full claim management dashboard with intelligent assessments powered by 27 deterministic rules.
Claims Manager
Core+Track each claim through every VA status, from preparation to decision. Add notes, link evidence, and monitor progress.
Intelligence Assessments
Core+Automated readiness scoring, risk analysis, and evidence gap detection across all your claims.
Deadline Tracker
Core+Never miss a filing deadline. Automated reminders for intent-to-file expirations, appeal windows, and exam dates.
Evidence Vault
Core+Securely upload and organize medical records, nexus letters, buddy statements, and service records with AI classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need an account to use Legatus?
- No. Many tools like the Condition Guides, Rating Calculator, C&P Exam Prep, and Secondary Conditions explorer are completely free and require no account. AI-powered tools require a free account, and advanced features like the Evidence Vault require a paid subscription.
- What is the difference between the free and paid plans?
- The free plan gives you access to all static reference tools and limited AI features. The Core plan adds higher AI usage limits, the Evidence Vault for secure document storage, claim management with intelligence assessments, and deadline tracking. Visit the Pricing page for full details.
- Is my data safe?
- Yes. All evidence files are stored with private access controls. AI-powered features send your text to OpenAI or Anthropic for processing, but it is not stored permanently by those providers. You can export or delete all your data at any time from Settings.
- Does Legatus file claims for me?
- No. Legatus is an educational and organizational tool. It helps you understand the process, gather evidence, and build a stronger case, but it does not submit claims to the VA on your behalf. You should file through VA.gov, a VSO, or a VA-accredited attorney.
- What happens to my workspace data?
- The Claims Workspace stores data in your browser's local storage, so it persists across sessions on the same device. If you create an account, your claims and evidence are stored securely in our database and accessible from any device.
- Can I use Legatus offline?
- Static reference pages (Condition Guides, Secondary Conditions, etc.) load fully in your browser and can be read after the initial page load. AI-powered features and account features require an internet connection.
Important Disclaimers
- Legatus is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in any way.
- The information and tools provided are educational in nature and do not constitute legal advice, medical advice, or an official VA determination.
- For case-specific guidance, consult an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or a VA-accredited attorney.