Which is NOT one of the three elements of a disability compensation claim?

In a disability compensation claim, the three primary elements that need to be established are current disability, an incident (or injury) in service that led to the disability, and a linkage of that condition to past service. Documentation of prior claims, while important in the context of a veteran's overall history with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is not a fundamental component that is required for the initial assessment of a new disability compensation claim.

The current disability involves the veteran showing that they have an existing medical condition that affects their ability to function. The incident in service requires evidence of an occurrence or injury that took place during military service, which is crucial for demonstrating that the disability is connected to their time in the military. Finally, linking the condition to past service involves establishing that the current disability is a direct result of the incident that occurred during service. All three of these elements work together to form the basis of a legitimate disability claim. Thus, while prior claims might provide context or background, they do not constitute one of the key elements needed to establish a new claim.