VA Form 21-526EZ

Automate VA disability compensation application workflows with Playwright when APIs aren’t available.

How to Automate VA Form 21-526EZ with Playwright

Automate VA disability compensation and related benefits application workflows with Playwright when APIs aren’t available or sufficient. You’ll eliminate manual claims processing and reduce approval delays by automating repetitive VA disability documentation processes. Use Playwright to interact with VA.gov systems programmatically.

View VA developer resources for available APIs when applicable.

Setup

Install Playwright and configure authentication:

npm install playwright

Automate Workflows

Create scripts for common VA Form 21-526EZ tasks:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const browser = await chromium.launch();
const page = await browser.newPage();

// Navigate to VA.gov
await page.goto('https://www.va.gov/find-forms/'');

// Start new disability claim
await page.click('[data-testid="start-new-claim"]');
await page.selectOption('[name="claim_type"]', 'original_claim');

// Veteran information
await page.fill('[name="last_name"]', 'Martinez');
await page.fill('[name="first_name"]', 'James');
await page.fill('[name="middle_name"]', 'Michael');
await page.fill('[name="suffix"]', '');
await page.fill('[name="ssn"]', '123-45-6789');
await page.fill('[name="va_file_number"]', 'C-12345678');

// Contact information
await page.fill('[name="date_of_birth"]', '08/15/1985');
await page.selectOption('[name="gender"]', 'male');

// Mailing address
await page.fill('[name="address_line_1"]', '789 Veterans Boulevard');
await page.fill('[name="address_line_2"]', 'Apt 4D');
await page.fill('[name="city"]', 'Jacksonville');
await page.selectOption('[name="state"]', 'FL');
await page.fill('[name="zip"]', '32202');
await page.selectOption('[name="country"]', 'USA');

// Phone numbers
await page.fill('[name="phone_home"]', '904-555-0123');
await page.fill('[name="phone_mobile"]', '904-555-0124');
await page.fill('[name="email"]', '[e-mail]');

// Contact preferences
await page.check('[name="contact_by_email"]');
await page.check('[name="contact_by_phone"]');

// Service information
await page.selectOption('[name="branch_of_service"]', 'army');
await page.fill('[name="service_number"]', 'US-123456789');

// Service period 1
await page.fill('[name="service_start_date_1"]', '06/15/2003');
await page.fill('[name="service_end_date_1"]', '08/20/2011');
await page.selectOption('[name="separation_type_1"]', 'honorable');

// Service period 2 (if applicable)
await page.click('[data-testid="add-service-period"]');
await page.fill('[name="service_start_date_2"]', '09/01/2011');
await page.fill('[name="service_end_date_2"]', '05/30/2015');
await page.selectOption('[name="separation_type_2"]', 'honorable');

// Reserve/National Guard service
await page.check('[name="reserve_service"]');
await page.fill('[name="reserve_component"]', 'Army National Guard');
await page.fill('[name="unit_name"]', '53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team');
await page.fill('[name="unit_phone"]', '904-555-0200');

// Combat service
await page.check('[name="served_in_combat"]');
await page.fill('[name="combat_locations"]', 'Iraq (2007-2008), Afghanistan (2010-2011)');

// Prisoner of war
await page.selectOption('[name="pow_status"]', 'no');

// Medals and awards
await page.fill('[name="awards"]', 'Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal');

// Disabilities being claimed
// Condition 1: PTSD
await page.click('[data-testid="add-disability"]');
await page.fill('[name="condition_name_1"]', 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)');
await page.selectOption('[name="condition_cause_1"]', 'combat');
await page.fill('[name="condition_start_date_1"]', '09/2008');
await page.fill('[name="condition_description_1"]', 'Recurring nightmares, flashbacks to combat situations, anxiety, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping. Symptoms began during deployment to Iraq and have persisted.');

// Condition 2: Tinnitus
await page.click('[data-testid="add-disability"]');
await page.fill('[name="condition_name_2"]', 'Tinnitus');
await page.selectOption('[name="condition_cause_2"]', 'noise_exposure');
await page.fill('[name="condition_start_date_2"]', '06/2007');
await page.fill('[name="condition_description_2"]', 'Constant ringing in both ears. Began after prolonged exposure to weapons fire and explosions during combat operations.');

// Condition 3: Lower back injury
await page.click('[data-testid="add-disability"]');
await page.fill('[name="condition_name_3"]', 'Chronic Lower Back Pain');
await page.selectOption('[name="condition_cause_3"]', 'injury');
await page.fill('[name="condition_start_date_3"]', '03/2010');
await page.fill('[name="condition_description_3"]', 'Lumbar spine injury from IED blast. Chronic pain, limited range of motion, difficulty standing for extended periods.');

// Condition 4: Knee injury
await page.click('[data-testid="add-disability"]');
await page.fill('[name="condition_name_4"]', 'Right Knee Injury');
await page.selectOption('[name="condition_cause_4"]', 'injury');
await page.fill('[name="condition_start_date_4"]', '03/2010');
await page.fill('[name="condition_description_4"]', 'Right knee damaged in same IED incident. Torn meniscus, chronic pain, instability, arthritis.');

// Treatment history
await page.check('[name="receiving_va_care"]');
await page.fill('[name="va_facility_1"]', 'Malcom Randall VA Medical Center');
await page.fill('[name="va_facility_city_1"]', 'Gainesville');
await page.selectOption('[name="va_facility_state_1"]', 'FL');
await page.fill('[name="va_treatment_dates_1"]', '2015 - Present');

// Private medical treatment
await page.check('[name="private_treatment"]');
await page.fill('[name="private_provider_1"]', 'Dr. Sarah Orthopedic Surgeon');
await page.fill('[name="private_facility_1"]', 'Jacksonville Orthopedic Center');
await page.fill('[name="private_address_1"]', '456 Medical Plaza');
await page.fill('[name="private_city_1"]', 'Jacksonville');
await page.selectOption('[name="private_state_1"]', 'FL');
await page.fill('[name="private_zip_1"]', '32207');
await page.fill('[name="private_treatment_dates_1"]', '2012-2015');

// Mental health treatment
await page.fill('[name="mental_health_provider"]', 'Dr. Michael Psychiatrist');
await page.fill('[name="mental_health_facility"]', 'Veterans Mental Health Clinic');
await page.fill('[name="mental_health_dates"]', '2015 - Present');

// Hospitalizations
await page.check('[name="hospitalizations"]');
await page.fill('[name="hospital_name_1"]', 'Walter Reed Army Medical Center');
await page.fill('[name="hospital_admission_date_1"]', '04/01/2010');
await page.fill('[name="hospital_discharge_date_1"]', '04/15/2010');
await page.fill('[name="hospital_reason_1"]', 'Treatment for injuries sustained in IED explosion');

// Supporting documents
await page.click('[data-testid="upload-dd214"]');
await page.setInputFiles('[name="discharge_papers"]', './documents/dd214.pdf');
await page.click('[data-testid="upload-service-medical"]');
await page.setInputFiles('[name="service_medical_records"]', './documents/service_treatment_records.pdf');
await page.click('[data-testid="upload-private-medical"]');
await page.setInputFiles('[name="private_medical_records"]', './documents/private_treatment_records.pdf');
await page.click('[data-testid="upload-buddy-statements"]');
await page.setInputFiles('[name="buddy_statements"]', './documents/witness_statements.pdf');

// Special circumstances
await page.check('[name="combat_related"]');
await page.check('[name="caused_by_service"]');

// Homelessness
await page.selectOption('[name="homeless_status"]', 'at_risk');
await page.fill('[name="homeless_contact"]', 'Florida Veterans Affairs Office');
await page.fill('[name="homeless_phone"]', '904-555-0300');

// Terminal illness
await page.selectOption('[name="terminal_illness"]', 'no');

// Fully developed claim
await page.check('[name="fdc_election"]');
await page.check('[name="understand_fdc"]');

// Direct deposit information
await page.check('[name="direct_deposit"]');
await page.selectOption('[name="account_type"]', 'checking');
await page.fill('[name="routing_number"]', '063100277');
await page.fill('[name="account_number"]', '123456789012');
await page.fill('[name="bank_name"]', 'Navy Federal Credit Union');

// Payment address (if different)
await page.selectOption('[name="payment_address_same"]', 'yes');

// Dependents
await page.check('[name="has_dependents"]');

// Spouse information
await page.fill('[name="spouse_first_name"]', 'Jennifer');
await page.fill('[name="spouse_middle_name"]', 'Ann');
await page.fill('[name="spouse_last_name"]', 'Martinez');
await page.fill('[name="spouse_ssn"]', '987-65-4321');
await page.fill('[name="spouse_dob"]', '11/20/1987');
await page.fill('[name="marriage_date"]', '06/15/2012');
await page.selectOption('[name="marriage_type"]', 'ceremonial');

// Children
await page.click('[data-testid="add-child"]');
await page.fill('[name="child_first_name_1"]', 'Emily');
await page.fill('[name="child_middle_name_1"]', 'Rose');
await page.fill('[name="child_last_name_1"]', 'Martinez');
await page.fill('[name="child_ssn_1"]', '234-56-7890');
await page.fill('[name="child_dob_1"]', '08/10/2013');
await page.selectOption('[name="child_relationship_1"]', 'biological');
await page.check('[name="child_unmarried_1"]');
await page.check('[name="child_under_18_1"]');

// Employment information
await page.selectOption('[name="employment_status"]', 'unemployed');
await page.fill('[name="last_employment_date"]', '03/2015');
await page.fill('[name="unable_to_work_date"]', '03/2015');
await page.fill('[name="unemployment_reason"]', 'Service-connected disabilities prevent full-time employment');

// Education and training
await page.check('[name="using_gi_bill"]');
await page.fill('[name="school_name"]', 'Florida State College at Jacksonville');
await page.fill('[name="education_start_date"]', '08/2016');

// Other benefits
await page.check('[name="receiving_ssdi"]');
await page.fill('[name="ssdi_start_date"]', '01/2016');
await page.fill('[name="ssdi_monthly_amount"]', '1500');

// Military retirement
await page.selectOption('[name="receiving_military_retirement"]', 'no');

// VA pension
await page.selectOption('[name="receiving_va_pension"]', 'no');

// Intent to file date
await page.fill('[name="intent_to_file_date"]', '01/15/2025');

// Certification and signatures
await page.check('[name="certify_accuracy"]');
await page.check('[name="certify_authorization"]');
await page.check('[name="understand_penalties"]');
await page.check('[name="authorize_disclosure"]');
await page.check('[name="agree_to_exam"]');

// Privacy act notice acknowledgment
await page.check('[name="privacy_act_acknowledged"]');

// Veteran signature
await page.fill('[name="veteran_signature"]', 'James Michael Martinez');
await page.fill('[name="signature_date"]', '03/10/2025');

// Representative information (if applicable)
await page.selectOption('[name="has_representative"]', 'yes');
await page.fill('[name="representative_name"]', 'Veterans Service Organization - DAV');
await page.fill('[name="representative_phone"]', '904-555-0400');
await page.fill('[name="representative_email"]', '[e-mail]');

await page.click('[data-testid="submit-claim"]');

// Download confirmation
await page.click('[data-testid="download-confirmation"]');

await browser.close();

Playwright handles medical documentation, service verification, and VA submission processes automatically. You can automate disability claims, dependency declarations, and benefit application workflows.

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