Which Veterans Affairs Disability Claim Process Step Is The Longest?

2016-03-16T21:09:38-04:00

Step 1. Claim Received, Step 2. Under Review, Step 3. Gathering of Evidence
Step 4. Review of Evidence, Step 5. Preparation for Decision,
Step 6. Pending Decision Approval, Step 7. Preparation for Notification
Step 8. Complete

MAJ Ken Landgren SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Obom Bowen CPT Private RallyPoint Member LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan PO2 Ed C. SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SSgt Private RallyPoint Member CPT L SSP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 Private RallyPoint Member CW5 Charlie Poulton SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SGM Mikel Dawson CSM Charles Hayden SGT Benjamin Lindsey SPC Andrew Griffin d SN Greg Wright TSgt Hunter Logan

Response by SGT Jonathon Caldwell made Mar 16 at 2016 9:17 PM

2016-03-16T21:17:02-04:00

Mine seemed like Under review was longest. It was several months until my C&P exams were scheduled. After that it was fairly quick.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 16 at 2016 9:26 PM

2016-03-16T21:26:10-04:00

In my case it was Step 6 SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL because VFW had already submitted all of my medical evidence. I was initially rated at 70% but VA did not ant to pay me anything. The VA didn't budge until my Congressman's [Frank Wolf] office provided the VA with my detailed record of corresponsive and evidence. Then they became receptive to talking with me and coming to an agreement.

Response by SSgt Obom Bowen made Mar 16 at 2016 10:43 PM

2016-03-16T22:43:11-04:00

The review for me SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL was the longest and most difficult

Response by PO2 Weaver Brian made Mar 17 at 2016 1:16 AM

2016-03-17T01:16:43-04:00

It depends entirely on which regional office is working on your case. The VA is similar to the military in many ways, not the least of which is that not all commands are equal. Each and every VA Regional Office is its own little command, and they are only as good as their leadership makes them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2016 8:51 AM

2016-03-17T08:51:03-04:00

My second time in Step 5. I went to step 6 briefly in November. I have been in these steps for over 9 months and ETA currently 2/28/16-8/9/16. Although the ETA was 12/1/15 just before I hit step 6.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 17 at 2016 10:48 AM

2016-03-17T10:48:18-04:00

Results will vary. Step 3 was fast in that I got a letter that I had no medical record so they threw everything back on me. Step 5 was likely the longest. They did pitch my package from Seattle to Phoenix to speed up the process to 2 1/2 years. The longest step is actually not listed and that's the dependent benefits claim which as of yesterdays call might be moving off the VA reps desk after 4 1/2 years. Have no idea where it was before she got hold of it. She called saying it showed up in here que two days ago, only needed one thing (which I provided) so now wait for the next whatever.

Response by LCpl Ronnie Padgett made Apr 11 at 2016 6:56 PM

2016-04-11T18:56:02-04:00

under review

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2018 7:53 AM

2018-03-10T07:53:11-05:00

I’ve gone through the entire process twice. Both time it took about six months. The first time I was getting out and at the last minute I decided I didn’t like the commute to the new job so I stayed in. The VA paid me back pay which I of course had to pay back. The second time took about the same amount of time. Step 4 and 5 took the longest both times.