Information and instructions
Privacy Act and respondent burden notices, an estimated 1 hour 45 minutes, the definition of total disability, the waiver refund rules and who completes each part.
29-357
Claim for Disability Insurance—Government Life Insurance
- Agency
- VA
- Revision
- December 2025
- Fillable fields
- 122
- Pages
- 3
- Official source
- VA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
VA Form 29-357: Claim for Disability Insurance, Government Life Insurance
VA Form 29-357 is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits for Government Life Insurance. The form says it is to be completed by veterans who have Government Life Insurance and become totally disabled. It defines total disability as any impairment of mind or body which makes it impossible for the veteran to be gainfully employed, and says total disability must start before the veteran's 65th birthday.
The form is three pages. Part I, on pages 1 and 2, is completed by the insured veteran if able, or by a person acting on his or her behalf. Part II, on page 3, is a report completed by the veteran's licensed practitioner of the healing arts or a hospital official.
When completed and signed, the form says to send it immediately to the VA Insurance Center, by document upload or by mail. You can fill out the PDF free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on VA Form 29-357
Part I, Items 1 to 9: insured and dates
Name of insured, insurance policy number, mailing address, Social Security number, date of birth, daytime phone, claim number, the date disability prevented employment and the date returned to gainful employment.
Part I, Items 10 to 12: education and disability
Highest years of school completed and any specialized training, any VA disability compensation, VA pension or Social Security disability received or applied for, and the disease or injury causing total or permanent disability.
Part I, Items 13 to 15: treatment and work
Hospitals where treated, including VA hospitals, the licensed practitioners who treated the condition, and a record of employment, including self-employment, from one year before the date of total disability to the present.
Part I, Items 16 and 17: consent and signature
A consent for practitioners, hospitals, insurers and employers to share information with VA, a certification that each question was answered truthfully, the date and the signature of the insured, or an official or fiduciary.
Part II: practitioner or hospital report
History of the condition, hospitalization, prognosis, whether the veteran can do all of his or her work or any other work, cardiac function and mental or nervous impairment ratings, and the signature and title of the person preparing the report.
How to file VA Form 29-357
- 1
Read the instructions
Page 1 defines total disability and explains the waiver refund rules and who completes Part I and Part II.
- 2
Complete Part I
The insured veteran, or a person acting on his or her behalf, fills in Items 1 to 15. The form asks for a separate form for each policy number.
- 3
Sign Part I
Enter the date of signature in Item 16 and sign Item 17.
- 4
Have Part II completed
The veteran's attending licensed practitioner or a hospital official fills in, dates and signs Part II. The form asks that hospital summaries be sent with the application if available.
- 5
Attach supporting papers
Include a copy of any Social Security disability award letter, and any statement and medical evidence the instructions ask for about a delay in filing.
- 6
Send it to VA Insurance
When completed and signed, the form says to send it immediately by document upload or by mail to the Insurance Center in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Why fill Form 29-357 on indox
You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.
- Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
- Free to fill and free to download, with no account
- The official blank straight from the VA, not a copy someone retyped
- Works on a phone, tablet or computer
Where to send it
Document upload
The form calls VA Insurance's document upload service at https://insurance.va.gov/home/IDU the fastest and most secure way to send documents.
By mail
Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Center, P.O. Box 5209, Janesville, WI 53547-5209.
If Part II is delayed
The form says to send Part I immediately if there will be a delay in preparing Part II.
Questions
The form lists the toll free number 1-800-669-8477 for questions about disability benefits or your insurance.
Edition
The December 2025 edition supersedes the August 2022 edition, which the form says will not be used. It carries OMB Approved No. 2900-0016, which expires 12/31/2028.
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Who uses VA Form 29-357?
The form's instructions say who completes each part.
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Questions about Form 29-357
Who completes VA Form 29-357?
Part I is completed by the insured veteran if able, or by a person acting on his or her behalf. Part II is completed by the veteran's licensed practitioner of the healing arts or a hospital official.
How does the form define total disability?
As any impairment of mind or body which makes it impossible for the veteran to be gainfully employed. The form says total disability must start before the veteran's 65th birthday.
How far back can premiums be refunded?
The form says premium refunds are limited to one year prior to the date the claim is filed, unless there were circumstances beyond the veteran's control, such as a severe mental disability. It says lack of knowledge of the waiver provision is not such a circumstance.
Should a Social Security award letter be attached?
The form asks for a copy of the award letter if the veteran has been granted disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
What if the doctor's part takes longer?
The form says to send Part I immediately if there will be a delay in preparing Part II.
Where do I send VA Form 29-357?
By document upload at https://insurance.va.gov/home/IDU or by mail to Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance Center, P.O. Box 5209, Janesville, WI 53547-5209.