Veterans who apply for disability want to know — how long does a VA disability claim take to be approved? This is a common question that veterans ask when they contact VA Benefits Attorneys and it is one that we hope to answer.

What Is the Average Time for a VA Disability Claim to Be Approved?

The time it takes for a VA disability claim to be approved will vary based on multiple factors, but according to data provided by VA Claims Insider — the average amount of time it takes for a claim to be approved is 138 days. The factors that impact the amount of time an approval takes include — the complexity of the veteran’s claim, the evidence and examinations provided, the number of claims waiting for approval at VA Regional Offices, how the claim was submitted, and how the Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Program is applied to the case. The Decision Ready Claim Program is run by the Veterans Service Organization and is intended to process claims in 30 days or less. 

General Timeline for VA Disability Claims

Like we mentioned above — the time it takes for a disability claim to be approved is based on a variety of factors — but there is a general timeline for disability claims to be approved. Here is how the process works and estimated timelines for each step of the process:

• Disability Claim Received – The veteran’s disability claim will be received and acknowledged within 7-14 days.
• Initial Review – The initial review of the veteran’s claim can take 14-30 days to complete.
• Collection of Evidence – The process to collect medical evidence and documentation can take 30-60 days for VA representatives.
• Review of Claim Evidence – Veterans can expect the review of medical evidence and documents to take an estimated 7-14 days.
• Prep for Decision – The process for the initial VA representative to review the evidence and make their decision on the claim takes 7-14 days.
• Decision Approval – The initial decision on the claim must be approved by a senior VA representative and the process can take 7-14 days.
• Final Decision – The veteran will receive a final decision notice with a disability rating within 7-10 days of the claim being approved.

READ MORE: How Long Does a Presumptive VA Claim Take? 

Many veterans ask us — how long does a VA disability claim take to be approved? We hope that this overview of the average time it takes for a claim to be approved and the general timeline for a claim has helped answer your questions. Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for a FREE review of your disability claim!