My fellow veterans, I hope everyone reading this gains favor in their claim process. I am writing this because I wish I had this info, all in one spot when I first started. I am trying to give everyone new here a very generalized answer, I am not a VA Claims pro. This just information I found from va claims insider, and just looking for myself about the VA claim timeline and process.

These are average wait times. If you have been waiting much longer than average definitely look into why. Please refrain from negativity on this post, I know some of us have been waiting a long time (myself included) and some not. Wait times could be much shorter or longer, my hope is shorter for everyone.

We all should encourage each other in this process. Some of our fellow veterans have no idea about the process. Positivity is much needed in our negative world. Additional and helpful info are highly in encouraged related to claim timelines. Much love my friends.

​

CLAIM TIMELINE IN 7 STEPS

​

Step 1: VA Claim Submitted and received phase

- The VA lets you know they have received your claim

- If online, 99.9% of time, instantly

- If mailed, you'll get a mailed response in 1-2 weeks, shows up on Ebenefits in 7-14 days

- Overall Step 1 normally takes 7-14 business days (usually instant if online)

​

Step 2: Initial Review Phase

- The VA assigns a Veteran Service Representative (VSR)

- The VSR reviews your claim to see if more evidence is needed to support the claim

- If no additional evidence is needed your claim moves to step 3

- If possible submit a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) to speed up claim process (link below)

https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/fully-developed-claims/

- Overall Step 2 normally takes 7-21 business days

​

Step 3: Gathering of Evidence

- The VSR will do 3 things

1. Ask for additional evidence from you, health care providers, government agencies or others.
2. Review all evidence
3. Move claim to a Reviewer

- If the VA needs more evidence your claim may return to this step more than once, and is very common.

- Overall Step 3 normally takes 30-60 business days

​

Step 3a : Review of Evidence

- All required evidence is gathered and received and ready to be reviewed

- If determined additional evidence is needed the claim will go back to Gathering, also very common

- Overall normally takes 7-14 business days

​

Step 4: Preparation for Decision

- Claim file gets sent to Reviewer

- Reviewer will review claim application, medical records, supporting documents, buddy letters, any other supporting info and C&P exam results to make decision.

- The Reviewer then recommends decision and begins process of preparing documents necessary to support their decision they made.

- Overall Step 4 normally takes 7-14 business days

​

Step 5: Pending Decision Approval

- The Reviewers decision recommendation documents are reviewed and final decision is made

- Usually sent to a second tier reviewing authority for final approval

- Overall Step 5 normally takes 7-14 business days

​

Step 6: Preparation For Notification

- Your total Claim decision is now being prepared to be mailed to you

- Overall Step 6 usually takes 7-14 business days

​

Step 7: Decision Notification Sent

- Decision notification is mailed

- Overall Step 7 normally takes 7-10 business days

​

​

SUMMARY OF AVERAGE WAIT TIMES

*business days

STEP 1: Claim Received: 7 - 14 days

STEP 2: Under Review: 7 - 21 days

STEP 3: Gathering of Evidence: 30 - 60 days

STEP 3a: Review of Evidence: 7 - 14 days

STEP 4: Preparation for Decision: 7 - 14 days

STEP 5: Pending Decision Approval: 7 - 14 days

STEP 6: Preparation for Notification: 7 - 14 days

STEP 7: Decision Notification Sent: 7 - 10 days

​

OVERALL AVERAGE WAIT TIMES

If claim is submitted by mailing

Average shortest wait time: 79 business days

Average longest wait time: 161 business days

​

If claim is submitted online

Average shortest wait time: 72 business days

Average longest wait time: 147 business days

​

CHECKING ON YOUR CLAIM STATUS

https://www.va.gov/ under check claim status

There is also an app VA app now

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage after logging in go to dashboard and click on disabilities. From there you can view pending claims

Ebenefits also has a view your letter option and sometimes that could be the most accurate status of your claim because it is often updated first.

​

These hot lines are also provided to get your claim status

(VA hotline is a hit or miss depending on who you get)

VA hotline phone number: 1-800-827-1000 Hrs 8am-9pm EST call if within average timeframe

White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311 Hrs 24/7 call if you are out of average timeframe