How long does it take the VA to make a decision on a disability claim? (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take the VA to approve a disability claim? ›

How long does it take the VA to make a decision? On average, it takes about 11.5 months (341 days) to finalize disability-related claims. This can be longer or shorter depending on the complexity of your case.

Factors That Can Affect the Time it Takes to Begin Receiving VA Disability Benefits. The VA estimates that it takes them 94 days to review a VA disability application. However, many cases take much longer than that.

To speed your VA disability claim along, you will need to be organized and respond to any VA requests or medical appointments in a timely manner. According to recent VA data, it takes between 92.9 and 100.8 days to review and make a decision on a disability claim.

That makes it imperative for a quick and simple service to claim for disability benefits. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While the average time for a VA disability claim can vary, it's currently between 120-150 days and patience will be required.

Yes, some VA claims are more commonly approved than others. Service connection for tinnitus is granted more frequently than any other disability. More than 2.3 million veterans have benefits for tinnitus. Hearing loss may be more difficult to get approved despite being the second most commonly approved disability.

Generally, you are eligible for back pay from the first day of the month following your “effective date” for benefits. In most cases, your effective date is when the VA received your disability application. In certain situations, however, you might qualify for retroactive benefits that go even further back.

To be eligible for schedular TDIU benefits, a veteran must have either: a single service-connected condition with a rating of at least 60 percent; or. (the 70/40 rule) at least two service-connected conditions with a combined rating of at least 70 percent, with at least one of the conditions rated 40 percent or higher.

That's exactly what Veterans like you deserve. Because of this record increase in applications, there has also been an anticipated increase in the number of claims applications that take longer than 125 days to process (otherwise known as the backlog), which is currently at 378,000 claims.

The average response time for the SSA to reach a decision after you apply for SSDI benefits is three to four months, but this time period could be extended to up to eight months. Reconsideration. If the SSA denies your request for benefits, you will need to file a request for reconsideration of their decision.

How long after my C&P exam will I get a decision in 2024? ›

For most cases, there is about a four-month lead time just to get an appointment. The decision process after an appointment depends on how complex your claim is and the number of conditions you've claimed. As of May 2023, the average time to complete disability-related claims was slightly over 100 days.

To receive a rating of 100 percent, there must be sufficient evidence to support the severity of the service-connected condition. This can come from medical documentation as well as testimony from friends, family, co-workers, and others who can attest to the seriousness of the disability.

If you want to get a faster decision on your disability benefits claim by submitting evidence along with your claim, use the Fully Developed Claims program. Find out how to submit a fully developed claim. And learn what evidence you'll need to submit along with your claim.

The Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Program is the fastest way to get your VA claim processed. With the DRC Program, you can get a decision on your claim within 30 days by working with an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

If your decision notice shows at least a 10% disability rating, you'll get your first payment within 15 days. We'll pay you either by direct deposit or check. If you don't get a payment after 15 days, please call the Veterans help line at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET .

VA back pay is paid to a veteran all at once in one lump sum following the grant of benefits. The VA maintains that veterans should receive back pay within 15 days of the decision granting the retroactive benefits either through direct deposit or a check. However, it is not uncommon for it to take longer than 15 days.

When can I expect my first disability compensation payment? If your decision notice shows at least a 10% disability rating, you'll get your first payment within 15 days. If you don't get a payment within 15 days, please call the Veterans Help Line at 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711).

The VA denies around 30% of disability claims each year. It can be frustrating to learn that your claim for VA compensation was denied. You may feel like you did everything they asked of you and provided all the evidence necessary to get the disability compensation you deserve.