How Long Does It Take to Get VA Disability Benefits?
Over the years, the VA (or United States Department of Veteran Affairs, to be more precise) has made significant strides in processing disability claims. In 2013, claims took nearly 200 days more than they do today, but that number has improved drastically.
And even though there’s still a waiting period due to the large number of claims, knowing what to expect can make the process more bearable. In this blog, we’ll talk about the VA disability claims timeline, the eligibility criteria, the different types of claims, and how to speed up your VA disability claim.
Understanding VA Disability Benefits
VA disability benefits are for veterans with physical or mental health conditions caused by their military service. These benefits are in the form of monthly tax-free payments and also extend to surviving spouses, children, and parents in case of service-related deaths.
If you’re a disabled veteran or someone who’s representing a disabled veteran, the VA office will assign you a disability rating depending on how severe your disability is. For example, a 50% rating might mean moderate impairment, while a 100% rating means total disability.
This 100% rating comes with $4,000 per month and an additional allowance for dependents as well as special benefits such as vehicle modifications and unemployment benefits. You should note that veterans with a rating of 10% or more also qualify for VA healthcare.
It takes the VA an average of 131.5-155 days to process disability claims, though it can vary based on complexity and evidence. And if you believe that your disability is getting worse, you can ask for a re-evaluation. If you get a new, higher rating, you qualify for higher compensation.
Eligibility Criteria
When applying for disability benefits, check to see if you meet the criteria to apply in the first place. Below are some checkboxes you should tick:
- Your disability should be a condition that either started during/after active military service or was an existing condition that was aggravated because of your service.
- Your discharge status should be anything except dishonorable.
- You should have detailed medical documents to back up your claims.
Types of Disability Claims
There are different categories of disability claims.
- Original Claims: These are claims filed by first-time applicants. With this type of claim, you can open up a case and then submit documentation later (but within one year). Standard original claims take 152 days on average for processing.
- Supplemental Claims: If you were previously denied benefits or if your condition has become worse after your original case was closed, you can file a supplemental claim with new evidence to reopen your case. Supplemental claims generally take 150-180 days to process.
- Fully Developed Claims (FDC): In this type of claim, all the required documentation is submitted at the time of filing. This calls for less back-and-forth requests for additional paperwork, leading to a higher approval rate. FDCs are typically processed within 90-120 days.
Knowing which claim to file and how long it would take helps set realistic expectations, improve processing times, and reduce the anxiety that comes with waiting for a decision that could change your financial future.
Timelines
The process for disability claims takes 152 days (or roughly five months) on average. Some types of claims may also get priority and start receiving payments even before processing is complete. But as a rule of thumb, standard claims take around 5 months while complex claims that need more detailed evidence take 11.5 months on average.
But what determines how long this processing will take? That depends on many things, such as the severity and number of disability conditions, the type of claim filed, the completeness of evidence available to support your claim, the time taken to complete Compensation & Pension exams, and the current backlog of VA claims.
After filing your claim, you can also check your application’s status at any time on the VA’s online portal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Disability Claim
The application process for filing a disability claim can get overwhelming for many veterans. But here’s a step-by-step guide that can make your experience smoother:
Gather Necessary Documentation
Collect all relevant documents such as service records, service history (DD-214), medical records, records of treatment, and any other evidence that supports your disability claim and links it to your service. Incomplete or outdated medical records could slow down your processing, so make sure to schedule a comprehensive medical exam so that all relevant documentation is current.
It may sometimes be difficult to establish a direct link between your condition and your military service. So, collect detailed service records and try to get supporting statements from other service members who were witnesses to your injury or illness.
You should also keep copies of all your documents and maintain a log of all your communications with the VA, as bureaucratic inefficiencies can sometimes lead to misplaced paperwork.
Choose the Right Claim Type
Choose the type of claim you want to file depending on your circumstances. Look into your options carefully, as the type of claim you choose will affect both processing time and the thoroughness of the review.
Submit Your Claim
You can submit your disability claim along with supporting documents through the VA’s official online portal, by mail using VA Form 21-526EZ, in-person at a regional VA office, or by fax to 844-531-7818 (US).
If you’re worried that submitting your application online might be too technical for you, then you should know that the portal is designed to be user-friendly, and online processing takes less time than other methods.
Once your form has been submitted, the VA takes 7-14 days to confirm receipt (for paper) or immediately if you submitted your form online.
Submit Evidence
A Veterans Service Representative (VSR) assesses your application and checks for any missing documentation. If there is any, the VA may reach out to request it. You may also be scheduled for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate the severity of your condition and its link to your service. Remember to take the C&P exam on time, as missing it will reset your processing timeline.
However, some conditions, such as asthma, automatically qualify under the PACT Act and don’t need any direct proof of connection to military service.
Wait for the Decision
Once all your documentation is complete, a VSR will review all the evidence and assign you a disability rating and compensation amount. A detailed packet is then mailed to you, which includes the granted/denied status, disability status, and your monthly payment amount. Payments begin 15 days after approval.
How to Speed Up Your Claim
But what if you don’t have time to wait months for a decision? The good news is that there are a few ways your application can be processed more quickly.
Fully Developed Claim (FDC)
We’ve already talked about how Fully Developed Claims (FDCs) allow VA processors to begin reviewing your application immediately because you’ve submitted all the required evidence and documentation upfront. This type of claim is approximately 30% faster than standard claims.
And if the VA still decides that your claim isn’t actually fully developed and needs more supporting documentation, it will simply shift your case to the standard process. This means that there’s no risk associated with submitting an FDC.
Decision Ready Claim (DRC)
Another option is filing a Decision Ready Claim (DRC), which can process your application within 30 days if you work with an approved Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
VSOs offer free representation and guidance, ensuring that all your supporting evidence is complete and meets submission requirements. They can also arrange for you to attend the required VA exams even before submitting your application, which makes the process faster and can even represent you during the appeals process for denied claims.
Many VSOs and other VA social services work with veteran case management systems to streamline their processes, ensure data security for sensitive information, and reduce errors. This helps them provide better care for their clients and maintain their trust.
Priority Processing
You may be eligible for priority processing if you:
- Have a terminal illness such as ALS, advanced cancer, or hospice care
- Are of advanced age (85 years or older)
- Are facing extreme financial hardship
- Were a former prisoner of war
- Are a homeless veteran
- Have been recognized for military honors such as Purple Heart or Medal of Honor
You can apply for priority processing by submitting VA Form 20-10207 along with documentation supporting why you qualify for priority status.
And if you’re mailing your application, send your documentation to the VA Evidence Intake Center (Janesville, WI) with ‘PRIORITY PROCESSING’ on the envelope. Priority applications still enter a queue, but they take significantly less time than standard processing.
Conclusion
Bell Data Systems is a social services software solution for veteran case management that works with VA agencies and social service providers.
So if you’re a veteran ready to start your VA disability claim and file for veterans benefits, or you’re a VA social services agency, work with Bell Data Systems’ software for a simplified and speedy process. Schedule a demo with us today and see how we can help you manage every step of the veteran services journey!
