VA Rating Increase Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

How Long Will Your Increase Claim Take?

One of the most frustrating aspects of filing for a rating increase is the uncertainty about how long you'll wait for a decision. While the VA has made significant improvements in processing times since implementing the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) in 2019, timelines still vary widely based on multiple factors.

Understanding what to expect at each stage of your claim can help you plan financially and know when to take action if delays occur. This guide breaks down average timelines, factors that affect processing speed, and what you can do if your claim is taking too long.

Average Processing Times by Claim Type

Supplemental Claims

Average Timeline: 6-8 months

National average as of 2024. Individual cases may vary significantly.

Typical breakdown:

• Initial review and evidence gathering: 2-3 months

• C&P exam scheduling and completion: 1-2 months

• Rating decision: 2-3 months

• Preparation of decision letter and payment setup: 2-4 weeks

Supplemental Claims take longer because they involve reviewing new evidence, often requiring new C&P examinations. The VA must schedule exams with contract providers (VES, LHI, QTC), wait for exam results, and have raters review both old and new evidence comprehensively.

Higher-Level Reviews

Average Timeline: 4-5 months

Generally faster than Supplemental Claims

Typical breakdown:

• Assignment to senior reviewer: 1-2 months

• Informal conference (if requested): 1-2 weeks

• Senior rater review: 2-3 months

• Decision preparation: 2-3 weeks

HLRs are faster because they don't require gathering new evidence or ordering exams. A senior rater simply reviews the existing record for errors. However, complex cases or backlogs at your regional office can still cause delays.

Board of Veterans Appeals

Timeline varies by docket lane:

• Direct Review: 12-18 months (fastest Board option)

• Evidence Submission: 18-24 months (can submit evidence within 90 days)

• Hearing: 24-36+ months (slowest due to hearing scheduling backlog)

Note: These are current averages. Board timelines have improved significantly in recent years but still vary by docket choice.

Factors That Affect Your Timeline

1. Your Regional Office

Processing times vary significantly by VA regional office. Some offices process claims in 4-5 months, while others take 10-12 months for the same type of claim.

Offices with typically faster processing:

• Boise, Idaho

• Honolulu, Hawaii

• White River Junction, Vermont

• Roanoke, Virginia

Offices with typically longer processing times:

• Los Angeles, California

• Oakland, California

• Houston, Texas

• New York, New York

Note: Your regional office is determined by your mailing address. You cannot choose which office handles your claim, and moving during a pending claim can sometimes cause delays as files are transferred.

2. Need for C&P Examinations

Claims requiring new medical exams take significantly longer:

• Scheduling delays: It can take 4-8 weeks just to get an exam appointment, longer in rural areas

• Exam completion: Contractors have 14 days to submit reports, but some take longer

• Multiple conditions: If you're claiming increases on multiple conditions, you may need several exams

• Specialty exams: Mental health evaluations and complex cases may require specialized examiners with longer wait times

• Missed appointments: If you miss an exam and need to reschedule, this adds 4-6 weeks

3. Complexity of Your Claim

Complex claims take longer to rate:

• Multiple conditions: Claiming increases on 5+ conditions requires more time to review

• Secondary connections: Claims involving secondary service connections need medical nexus opinions

• Bilateral conditions: Conditions affecting both sides of the body (knees, shoulders) require bilateral factor calculations

• TDIU claims: Claims for Total Disability Individual Unemployability require employment verification and additional review

• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): High-level disability claims may trigger SMC consideration, requiring senior rater review

4. Evidence Development Needs

If the VA needs to obtain additional evidence, your claim will take longer:

• Records requests: The VA may need to request records from private providers (can take 30-60 days)

• Federal records: Obtaining records from other federal agencies can take months

• Medical opinions: Complex cases may require medical advisory opinions from VA doctors

• Missing information: If your claim is incomplete, the VA will request additional information, adding time

5. Time of Year

Seasonal factors can affect processing times:

• Winter months: Often slower due to holidays and weather affecting exam scheduling

• Summer: May be faster with more examiner availability and fewer holidays

• Fiscal year end: September can see rushed processing as the VA tries to meet annual goals

• Post-budget: Early in the fiscal year (October-December) may have better staffing

Claim Status Phases Explained

Your claim goes through several phases. Understanding what each means helps you know what's happening:

1. Claim Received

The VA has received your claim and assigned it a tracking number. Your claim is in queue for initial review. Typical duration: 1-2 weeks

2. Initial Review

A VA employee is reviewing your claim to determine what evidence is needed. They may request records or schedule exams. Typical duration: 2-4 weeks

3. Evidence Gathering, Review, and Decision

This is the longest phase. The VA is: obtaining your records, scheduling and completing C&P exams, waiting for exam results, and/or waiting for you to submit evidence. Typical duration: 3-6 months

4. Preparation for Notification

Your claim has been rated. The VA is preparing your decision letter and, if approved, setting up your new payment amount. Typical duration: 1-3 weeks

5. Complete

Your decision letter has been sent. If approved, expect your first increased payment within 2-4 weeks, with back pay following 1-2 months later.

How to Check Your Claim Status

Online (Recommended)

• VA.gov: Log in and go to "Check your claim or appeal status" - most reliable and up-to-date

• VA mobile app: Download the VA mobile app for claim tracking on your phone

• eBenefits: Still functional but being phased out in favor of VA.gov

By Phone

• VA hotline: 1-800-827-1000 (Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm ET)

• What you'll need: Your Social Security number, date of birth, and claim number

• Expected wait time: 15-45 minutes depending on time of day

• When to call: Only if your claim has been pending over 125 days, you missed an exam, or online status hasn't updated in 60+ days

In Person

• Regional office: Visit your local VA regional office (appointment usually required)

• VA medical center: Some VAMCs have benefits specialists who can check status

• VSO office: Your VSO representative can check detailed claim status information

Pro Tip: Check your status online weekly. If the online status hasn't updated in 60 days or your claim has been in "Evidence Gathering" for more than 120 days, call the VA hotline to ensure nothing is stuck or missing.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Taking Too Long

Standard Processing Times

The VA aims to process claims within 125 days (about 4 months), but many take longer. Consider taking action if:

• Supplemental Claim: Over 9 months without decision

• Higher-Level Review: Over 6 months without decision

• Board Appeal: Significantly longer than average for your docket choice

Steps to Take

1. Check online status first: Ensure your claim is actually delayed and not in a normal processing phase

2. Call the VA hotline: Ask if they're waiting on something from you or if there's a processing delay

3. Contact your VSO: If you have a representative, they can often get more detailed information

4. Submit evidence: If you have additional evidence, submit it through QuickSubmit—this can prompt action on stalled claims

5. Contact your Congressional representative: For claims over 12 months without resolution, your Congress member's office can initiate a Congressional inquiry

6. File a complaint: Use VA's "Ask a Question" system or file a formal complaint through the VA Office of Inspector General

Congressional Inquiry

If your claim has been pending for an unreasonably long time (typically 12+ months for Supplemental Claims/HLRs, or significantly longer than average Board times), contact your Congressional representative:

• Find your representative at house.gov or senate.gov

• Call their local office and ask to speak with the caseworker who handles VA issues

• Provide your claim number, filing date, and a brief description of the delay

• The Congressional inquiry will be forwarded to the VA, often resulting in faster action

• This is not adversarial and won't hurt your claim—it's a routine oversight mechanism

Expedited Processing

Certain circumstances may qualify you for expedited claim processing:

Automatic Expedited Processing

• Terminal illness: Claims involving life-threatening conditions are expedited

• Medal of Honor recipients: Receive priority processing

• Former prisoners of war (POWs): Expedited processing

• Purple Heart recipients: Priority processing for service-connection claims

Request-Based Expedited Processing

• Financial hardship: Risk of losing home, utilities, or food due to pending claim decision

• Serious illness: Not terminal but significantly affecting quality of life

• Very advanced age: Veterans age 85 or older

• Homelessness or risk of homelessness: Currently homeless or facing eviction

To request expedited processing, call the VA hotline (1-800-827-1000) or submit documentation of your circumstances through VA.gov or your VSO.

After You Receive Your Decision

If Approved

• First increased payment: Expect within 2-4 weeks of decision date

• Back pay: Retroactive benefits typically arrive 1-2 months after the initial payment

• Direct deposit: If you have direct deposit set up, payments are faster

• Check payment: If receiving checks by mail, add 1-2 weeks to these timelines

If Denied

• Review your decision letter carefully: Understand why you were denied

• You have one year: To file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence and potentially preserve your effective date

• Consider your options: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal (see our denial next steps guide)

• Don't delay: The clock starts ticking on the one-year deadline immediately

Managing Expectations

While waiting for a decision is frustrating, understanding what to expect can help:

• Plan for 6-8 months minimum for Supplemental Claims, even though some decide faster

• Don't panic if your status doesn't update for several weeks—this is normal

• Respond immediately to any VA requests for information or exam appointments

• Continue documenting your condition while you wait—you may need evidence for a future appeal

• Stay patient but proactive—check status regularly but don't call daily

Remember: While processing times are slower than we'd like, the VA processes millions of claims annually. Your claim will eventually be decided. Focus on ensuring you've submitted strong evidence rather than constantly checking status. If your claim truly stalls, use the escalation steps outlined above.