Claim Review Process

Once you submit a disability claim to the VA it will go through a review process which consists of the following steps. Once you submit your claim you can check the status regularly to see each step of the process.

Step 1: Claim received
They received your claim in our system.

Step 2: Initial review
They’re checking your claim for basic information such as name and Social Security number. If information is missing, you will be contacted.

Step 3: Evidence gathering
This is where they check to make sure they have all the information to decide your claim.  This includes requesting any missing evidence from you or your doctor and arranging for you to take a C&P exam.  You can submit additional evidence at this step.

Step 4: Evidence review
This step is where all of the evidence is reviewed to decide your claim. This is usually done by a Reviewing Officer (RO).

Step 5: Rating
Your claim is decided, and a disability rating is assigned to it. 

Step 6: Preparing decision letter
A decision letter is prepared to be mailed out to you.  If you’re eligible for disability benefits, this letter will include your disability rating, the amount of your monthly payments, and the date your payments will start. 

Step 7: Final Review
Your case gets a final review by a senior reviewer.

Step 8: Claim Decided
At this final stage you get notification via mail and the claim status tool online of the final decision.