Yes! You can use AI to fill out VA Form 28-10286, Request for Retroactive Induction for a Period Previously Completed Under Chapter 33

Claimants often check 'Yes' to questions 10, 11, 12, or 13 without realizing they must also submit specific supporting documents like transcripts, degree audits, and itemized receipts within 60 days. This mistake happens because people focus on filling the form itself and miss the detailed instructions on page 3. Failure to provide this documentation will result in the denial of the requested benefits or an incomplete reimbursement, wasting the applicant's time. To avoid this, carefully read page 3 and gather all necessary documents before or immediately after submitting the form.

Forgetting to sign and date the form in fields 18A and 18B is one of the most common and easily avoidable errors. Applicants are often focused on the complex details of Section I and simply overlook the final certification step. An unsigned form is invalid and cannot be processed, leading to immediate rejection and significant delays until a properly signed version is received. Always double-check that you have physically or digitally signed and dated the form before submission.

Applicants who received Kicker or STEM payments (questions 8 and 9) may incorrectly answer 'No' on the acknowledgement questions (15 and 16) because they do not want to incur a debt. However, these questions are to verify understanding that a debt will be created if the retroactive induction is approved. Answering 'No' can create a contradiction that halts the claim, as acknowledging this financial consequence is a required part of the process. To avoid this, applicants must answer 'Yes' if they received these payments and wish to proceed with the claim, understanding it will result in an overpayment that needs to be resolved.

The form specifies an MM/DD/YYYY format for the Date of Birth (field 3), Retroactive Start Date (field 7), and Date Signed (field 18B). Applicants may use other formats like DD/MM/YYYY or write out the month, which can cause data entry errors and processing delays. This can lead to miscalculation of eligibility periods or rejection of the form for correction. To prevent this, strictly adhere to the two-digit month, two-digit day, and four-digit year format as requested.

Field 2 asks for the 'VA File Number' but the label below specifies 'Last Four'. This can be confusing, leading applicants to enter the last four digits of their Social Security Number instead of their VA File Number, or providing the full number when only four are needed. An incorrect identifier means the VA cannot locate the claimant's records, causing the claim to be delayed or rejected. Applicants should verify their correct VA File Number and enter the last four digits as instructed to ensure their form is matched to their file.

In field 7, claimants may mistakenly enter the current date or the start date of their most recent semester, rather than the specific historical start date for the period they want reviewed for retroactive benefits. This error leads the VA to evaluate the wrong timeframe, potentially causing the claimant to miss out on significant eligible benefits. Before filling, identify the exact start date of the earliest term you want considered for retroactive induction and enter it carefully.

Applicants may provide conflicting information, such as checking 'Yes' to withdrawing the claim (field 17) while also checking 'Yes' to requesting benefits (fields 10-13). Another common contradiction is stating they did not receive a Kicker payment (field 8) but then acknowledging the debt for it (field 15). These inconsistencies force the VA to halt processing and contact the claimant for clarification, causing major delays. Review the entire form before submitting to ensure your answers are logical and consistent with each other.

The form notes that if completed by hand, information should be printed neatly in ink. Many applicants submit forms with illegible handwriting, making it difficult for processors to accurately enter names, dates, and numbers. This can lead to critical data entry errors, returned mail, or complete rejection of the form. To avoid this, either fill the form out online or, if filling by hand, print slowly and clearly, using one letter per box as instructed. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can convert non-fillable PDFs into fillable versions, eliminating handwriting issues entirely.

Field 4 breaks the mailing address into specific components (Street, Apt/Unit, City, State, ZIP). Applicants sometimes rush and forget to include an apartment number or enter an incorrect ZIP code. An incomplete or inaccurate address can cause crucial correspondence from the VA, including decision letters or requests for more information, to be delayed or returned as undeliverable. Carefully fill out every part of the address field to ensure timely communication.

Question 17 gives the option to withdraw the claim, which can be confusing as it's placed within a series of 'Yes/No' verification questions. A claimant might misread it or check 'Yes' by mistake, effectively canceling the request they just filled out. This happens due to rushing or not reading each question carefully. This mistake completely nullifies the submission, and the claimant will not know until they follow up on their claim's status. To avoid this, only check 'Yes' on item 17 if you have reviewed the implications and have definitively decided not to proceed with the retroactive induction.