How Long Does It Take to Get a VA Disability Decision?

When you have a disabling medical condition caused or aggravated by injuries or events you experienced during your military service, you might qualify for financial and medical benefits from the VA. However, filing for VA disability benefits can involve a multi-step process. The timeline and duration of a VA disability claim can depend on various factors. Learning what can affect how long you must wait for a VA disability decision can remove much of the stress and anxiety of the application process. 

Average VA Disability Claim Processing Time

Many VA disability benefits claims take between three and six months for the department to issue an initial decision. However, various issues can delay the VA’s initial decision on an application. A claim can also take longer when the VA denies the application on initial review and the veteran pursues an administrative appeal. Depending on which form of appeal a veteran pursues (e.g., higher-level review, supplemental claim, review by the Board of Veterans Appeals), it can take several more months for a veteran to obtain a final decision. In some cases, veterans who lose an administrative appeal may pursue judicial review by filing suit in federal court, which can cause their claim to last even longer. 

Factors That Affect Decision Times

Some of the factors that can affect how long a VA disability benefits claim lasts include:

• The complexity of the veteran’s condition, as rare conditions or the presence of multiple conditions may require more in-depth review by the VA.
• The strength of the evidence to prove the existence of a condition, its service-connection, and the severity of the veteran’s symptoms
• The need for a veteran to pursue an administrative appeal or judicial review
• The VA’s caseload, as higher-than-usual claim volume due to circumstances such as the recognition of new presumptive conditions, which can lead to increased claims

Steps in the VA Disability Decision Process

Applying for VA disability benefits can involve several steps, including:

• Submitting the VA Form 21-526EZ to apply for disability benefits; veterans may submit their application online, over the phone, or in person at a regional VA office
• Evidence gathering by the VA, which may request medical releases from the veteran to obtain their records from private medical providers; the VA may also collect the veteran’s in-service and VA medical records and records of their military service
• Review of the evidentiary record by VA claims examiners, who will decide whether to approve or deny the veteran’s application 
• Mailing of a decision letter to the veteran to notify them of the VA’s determination 

What You Can Do to Avoid Delays

Veterans can help reduce the chances of delays that can lengthen the application review process by following best practices, such as:

• Keep tabs on the status of your claim via the VA’s website 
• Promptly respond to VA correspondence requesting additional information or documentation
• Attend compensation and pension (C&P) exams when originally scheduled by the VA, as a veteran may have to wait weeks to obtain a rescheduled appointment
• Work with a VA-accredited representative or attorney who can ensure the accuracy and completeness of an application to avoid requests for supplemental information or documents and who can stay in contact with the VA to ensure that a veteran’s application does not slip through the cracks

Contact a VA Disability Benefits Attorney

When you file a claim for VA disability benefits, waiting for a decision may become one of the most stressful aspects of the application process. Contact Veterans Benefits Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the process of applying for VA disability benefits, so you know what to expect when awaiting a decision on your application.