What Can I Do to Make the VA Disability Process Go Faster?

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

Unfortunately, the process of earning disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is often very slow, leaving thousands of veterans frustrated and disappointed every year. This article will guide you through some of these options, as well as a few select tips on how to speed up your VA claim.

Key points of this article include:

• There are many reasons as to why VA takes so long to decide on claims, including delays caused by errors, claim complexity, and problems scheduling evaluations like Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams.
• While it is possible to request an expedited VA claim to speed one’s claim up, VA typically reserves such claims for veterans who are seriously ill or facing financial hardship that makes compensation more important.
• The best way to hasten the disability claims process is to educate oneself on how to fill out the correct forms, submit the most relevant evidence, and avoid as many delays as possible.

Why Is My VA Claim Taking So Long?

There are several reasons a VA disability claim may be delayed or simply take longer to process. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Delays caused by evidence gathering – Sometimes, veterans may miss submission deadlines, fill out incorrect forms, or provide VA with incomplete or irrelevant evidence, all of which can lead to delays in the claims process. VA may also sometimes have trouble obtaining evidence from institutions like the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which can slow down claims substantially.
• Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams – While C&P exams are often an essential part of the claims process, actually scheduling an exam can sometimes take weeks, and there may be problems that arise that lead to exams being cancelled or postponed. In addition, if a veteran misses their C&P exam, it may cause their claim to be delayed or even denied outright.
• Claim complexity – Disability claims involving multiple disorders or larger amounts of evidence will naturally take VA longer to work through as they take into account each aspect of the case. On the other hand, simpler claims may be decided upon faster than more complex ones.
• Claims being remanded – Official bodies like the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) can sometimes remand disability claims, sending them back to the VA regional office they came from to fix any errors or gather more evidence. While such remands can be good for a veteran’s claim, they can also lead to a claim taking longer to process.

In addition to these reasons, there may be further issues with VA itself that lead to unavoidable delays.

“There are many reasons that delays happen on VA’s side of the claims and appeals process,” says Ethan Muckelbauer, a VA-accredited attorney with CCK Law. “VA’s backlog of scheduling and conducting C&P exams, mail delays, the processing backlog at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, requests for records, and the passage of new laws that affect the adjudication of VA claims are all examples of delays that can happen because of VA and are outside of a claimant’s control.”

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How Can I Avoid Delaying the Disability Claims Process?

While some claims process delays are unavoidable, there are several methods veterans can use to optimize the process for themselves and minimize the number of delays they may encounter. Some of these methods include:

• Thoroughly reading any correspondence VA sends to remain aware of submission deadlines, requests for documentation, and the dates of any upcoming C&P exams. Veterans should also be sure to respond promptly if VA requests information from them.
• Double-checking any forms a veteran submits to ensure it is both the proper form and that it is accurately and fully completed.
• Filtering any evidence or information a veteran sends to VA. Veterans should be sure to submit only the evidence that is relevant to their claim. Submitting irrelevant information may slow the process down as VA is obligated to review everything they receive.

Notably, veterans can also check the status of their VA claim online through VA.gov, allowing them to stay up to date on where their claim is in the process.

How Long Does It Take for VA to Process My Disability Claim?

As of August 2025, VA claims it takes an average of 94.8 days to process a disability-related claim. This rate is faster than usual, as historically, disability claims have taken an average of 100-150 days to process.

However, veterans should note that there is no standard amount of time for a VA application to go through the process. Several factors determine how long a claim will take to complete, including:

• The type of claim a veteran files
• How complex a veteran’s medical conditions are
• How many conditions the veteran claims on their application
• The amount of evidence needed for VA to decide the veteran’s case
• How quickly a veteran provides the evidence VA requests/how easy it is for VA to access that evidence
• The claims backlog at a veteran’s local VA regional office

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Are There Ways to Speed Up the VA Claims and Appeals Process?

Yes, there are several ways veterans can minimize the processing time of a VA claim or appeal, such as:

• Filing VA Form 20-10207to expedite a VA claim
• Submitting a Fully Developed Claim (FDC)
• Documenting and filing as early as possible
• Researching one’s disability and the VA claims process

Note, however, that most of these have to be initiated early on in the claims process. Once a claim is already ongoing, there is little a veteran can to do hasten things along.

How Do I Expedite a VA Claim?

Expedited VA claims are typically reserved for veterans contending with extreme or terminal illness, financial hardship, homelessness, or old age. The logic behind expediting such claims is that these more vulnerable veterans may not have as much time to wait for their claims to be processed and, therefore, deserve to have those claims prioritized.

Filing VA Form 20-10207 allows veterans to request that VA expedite their disability claim, which means prioritize the claim over others in order to process it as quickly as possible. To be eligible for an expedited VA claim, veterans must submit documentation, if not already on file, indicating that they meet one of the following criteria:

• Experiencing extreme financial hardship
• Terminally ill
• Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Very seriously ill/injured or seriously ill/injured during military operations (defined as a disability resulting from a military operation that will likely result in discharge from military service)
• Age 85 or older
• A former Prisoner of War
• A Medal of Honor or Purple Heart Award Recipient

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What Is a Fully Developed Claim?

Another method veterans can fast-track their disability claims is to submit a Fully Developed Claim, or FDC.

An FDC is a special way to file a disability claim where the veteran indicates to VA that they have already gathered all of the evidence they will need for their claim to be processed, and that no more evidence is necessary. This cuts down significantly on processing times, since VA’s “duty to assist” obligations are minimized, and it can therefore begin the process of issuing a decision on the claim faster.

To file for a Fully Developed Claim, veterans should gather all the evidence they need for their claim ahead of time. Once they have all the proof, they need to substantiate their claim, they must do the following:

• Complete and submit VA Form 21-526EZ
• Submit all of the relevant evidence the veteran has collected
• Confirm that there is no more evidence needed to decide on the claim
• Attend any C&P exams VA may order as part of the process

Why Should I Document and File as Early as Possible?

Documenting and filing a claim as early as possible can provide many benefits for veterans, including:

• Securing the veteran an earlier effective date
• Ensuring the claim is processed before the veteran’s health declines any further
• Allowing the veteran to begin receiving compensation much sooner

“First off, file as early as possible,” says Emma Peterson, Partner at CCK Law. “This is important not only because it gets the process started, but because it also gets you an earlier effective date, which may increase your retroactive benefits. It’s best to file your claim as soon as you are diagnosed with a condition you believe to be connected to your military service.”

Current service members should also note that it is even possible to file for disability while still on active duty. These servicemembers can either go through the Benefits Delivery At Discharge or BDD program, or file a “Quick Start” claim if they expect to be out of service within the next 60 days.

Overall, while there is not a time limit on filing, veterans may regret not starting the claims process sooner—especially if they think their case may be complicated.

What Is the Benefit of Researching the Disability Claims Process?

Educating oneself on one’s disability as well as the claims process is a great way to avoid common errors or pitfalls that may slow the process down. It will also prompt veterans to organize their information and evidence correctly to help streamline things for VA.

While there is no real shortcut to educating oneself on the ins and outs of the disability claims process, some basic tips veterans should keep in mind about the process include:

• When first filing a claim, it is important to fill out all necessary forms and to try to do so without error. Also, veterans should try to provide all the documentation they can.
• Veterans should understand exactly what type of disability they want to claim. If they are filing claims for more than one disability, they will need to provide relevant information for each claim.
• Veterans should also be sure to make attending each medical evaluation a top priority. Strive to make each appointment and keep copies and records of each.
• It is also important for veterans to make themselves aware of alternative benefits offered by VA like SMC or TDIU, as they can provide additional options for veterans who need additional support or are unable to work.

What Should I Expect from the VA Disability Application Process?

VA’s disability claims process can vary significantly in how it looks. However, typically, veterans should expect the following steps from the process:

• Step 1. Claim Received – Once VA has received a veteran’s claim, it will notify the veteran either online or through the mail that their claim was received.
• Step 2. Initial Review – VA will start the initial review process in order to ensure the claim has all the veteran’s basic information, like name and Social Security number.
• Step 3. Gathering of Evidence – VA will assign a Veterans Service Representative (VSR) to review the veteran’s claim and begin gathering evidence. Usually, this step takes the longest of the claims process.
• Step 4. Review of Evidence – The veteran’s claim will be fully reviewed. If a veteran’s VSR determines that they need additional evidence, they will contact the veteran to let them know what they still need to submit.
• Step 5. Rating – Once the VSR has received all the necessary documents, they will evaluate the veteran’s claim and make a decision recommending whether to approve or deny.
• Step 6. Preparing Decision Letter – VA will begin to prepare the veteran’s decision letter. If their claim was approved, it will detail the veteran’s disability rating, monthly compensation, and when that compensation will begin.
• Step 7. Final Review – A senior reviewer at VA will do a last check on the claim and decision letter.
• Step 8. Claim Decided – The decision letter is sent by U.S. mail. The veteran will likely receive it within 10 business days. After they do, the claim is complete.

What if I Disagree with VA’s Decision?

If a veteran disagrees with VA’s decision, they have the right to appeal it, potentially getting it overturned and compelling VA to review the disability claim once more.

Under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), there are three distinct “lanes” veterans can take to appeal a decision VA has made:

• Higher-Level Review Lane – The HLR appeal lane has veterans request that a more experienced rating specialist at VA review their disability claim.
• Supplemental Claim Lane – The supplemental claim appeal lane allows veterans to submit new and relevant evidence as part of their appeal.
• Notice of Disagreement Lane – The Notice of Disagreement (NOD) appeal lane brings the case before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) for adjudication.

If the BVA upholds a veteran’s claim denial, they can still appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) in Washington, D.C. However, if they want to appeal a Board denial, they have 120 days from the date of the decision to file with the Court.

VA Claim Denied? Contact CCK Law

It can be disheartening when, after waiting so long for VA to decide on your claim, it either outright denies your claim or rates you far lower than you deserve. If VA denied your claim, then the team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help.

Our accredited attorneys have secured favorable outcomes for 99 percent of our past clients before VA and have helped veterans regain over $1 billion in wrongfully denied compensation.

Call CCK Law today at (800) 544-9144 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.