The purpose of this article is to give tips on what happens after you've filed a VA disability compensation claim for VA benefits. A lot of Veterans want to know, "What happens after I've filed my VA claim?" as well as "How long does it take to get a VA rating?" In general, the Veteran Service Representative (VSR) and VA Rater follow a 7-step process for reviewing, rating, and making a final decision on your VA disability claim.
If you need help with your VA disability claim, VA disability increase claim, secondary VA claims, service connection, you've been denied VA benefits, or you think you deserve a higher VA disability rating, please complete the free 3-step intake below.
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1. VA Claim Submitted and Received Phase
The VA will let you know they’ve received your disability claim.
If you file your disability claim on eBenefits, you’ll see a notice from the VA in your claims list within about 1 hour of applying.
If you file online using eBenefits for increased disability compensation, you’ll get an on-screen message from the VA after you submit the online application.
If you mail your application, the VA will send you a letter to let you know they’ve received your claim. You should get this letter in 1-2 weeks.
2. VA Initial Review Phase
A Veterans Service Representative (VSR) will review your claim. It’ll move to step 3 if the VA doesn’t need any more evidence to support it. This is unlikely unless you submit a Fully Developed Claim, which is highly recommended. Do NOT submit a standard claim.
3. VA Gathering of Evidence Phase
During this phase, the VSR will do three things:
Ask for evidence from you, health care providers, governmental agencies, or others
Review the evidence
Move the claim to a VA Rater for decision
*If the VA needs more evidence during this phase, your claim may return to this step more than once. This is very common to see your VA claim move back and forth between phases. No need to worry.
4. VA Preparation for Decision Phase
During this phase, your entire VA disability claim file gets sent to a VA Rater. The VA Rater will review your claim application, medical records, supporting documents, personal statements, buddy letters, any other supporting information, and C&P exam results to make a decision on your VA disability claim.
5. Pending Decision Approval Phase
During this phase, a VA Rater has made a decision on your claim, and it has been sent to a second-tier reviewing authority for final approval.
6. Preparation for Notification Phase
The VA will get your entire claim decision packet ready to be mailed. There is a 30-day cooling off period where you’ll have to wait. This can be averted by clicking the “Request a Claim Decision Now” button inside eBenefits after you’ve submitted your Fully Developed Claim.
7. Decision Notification Sent Phase
Your VA disability claim has been completed and a final decision has been mailed to you.
The VA will send you a packet by U.S. mail that includes details of the decision on your claim. You should receive this in 7 to 10 business days. You can always call 1-800-827-1000 and ask to speak to a VA representative about your VA disability claim status.
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