VA Disability Claim Timeline

From Intent to File to Rating Decision — every step, every deadline

Standard step
Key deadline
Decision point
1
⏰ Start Here — File This First
Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966)
Protect Your Effective Date

Filing an Intent to File is the most important first step. It stamps your claim with today's date — meaning if your claim is approved, your back pay will go all the way back to this date, even if it takes 12 months to gather evidence and submit the full claim.

What to do
  • File VA Form 21-0966 online at VA.gov, by mail, or by calling 1-800-827-1000
  • Takes 5 minutes — submit even before you have any evidence
  • Your Intent to File is valid for 12 months from the date filed
  • You MUST submit your full claim within 12 months or you lose this date
2
Gather Evidence & Prepare Your Claim
1–8 weeks (you control this)

This is the most critical phase for your outcome. Strong evidence = strong rating. Use this time to gather all documentation for each condition you're claiming.

What to gather
  • Military service records (STRs) and DD-214
  • Current diagnosis from a licensed medical provider for each condition
  • Nexus letter linking each condition to military service
  • Buddy statements from fellow service members
  • Personal statement describing how conditions affect your daily life
3
Submit Claim — VA Form 21-526EZ
Within 12 months of Intent to File

Submit your disability claim online at VA.gov using Form 21-526EZ. This is the official start of your claim with the VA. List every condition you're claiming and attach all your evidence.

Tips for submission
  • File a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) — submit all evidence at once for faster processing
  • List ALL conditions, including secondary conditions
  • Upload evidence as PDFs — VA accepts documents up to 25MB per file
  • Print and save your submission confirmation number
4
VA Reviews & Assigns Your Claim
1–2 weeks

The VA reviews your claim to confirm it meets basic filing requirements and assigns it to a regional office (VARO) for processing. You'll receive a confirmation letter. Your claim status on VA.gov will show "Claim Received."

What to do
  • Log into VA.gov to confirm your claim is in the system
  • Verify all conditions are listed correctly
  • Note your VA claim number from the confirmation letter
5
VA Gathers Evidence (Development Phase)
4–16 weeks

The VA requests your records — military service records from NPRC, VA medical records, and may request private medical records you've listed. This phase is often the longest and least visible part of the process.

What to do
  • Respond immediately to any VA requests for additional information
  • If VA requests records you already submitted, resubmit them immediately
  • Do NOT submit new conditions or major changes during development — open a new claim
  • Check VA.gov weekly for status updates
6
C&P Examination (Compensation & Pension Exam)
Scheduled during development

The VA will schedule a C&P exam with a VA doctor or contracted examiner (QTC, LHI, or VES). The examiner evaluates your condition and writes an opinion on severity and service connection. This exam heavily influences your rating.

Critical — Don't miss your exam
  • Attend every scheduled exam — a no-show can result in claim denial
  • Describe your worst days, not your best — be honest about limitations
  • Bring your nexus letter and any recent medical records to the exam
  • You can request a copy of the C&P exam report through VA.gov after
7
Rating Decision Preparation
4–12 weeks after C&P exam

A VA rater reviews all evidence — your records, the C&P exam report, and any other documentation — and assigns a rating for each condition and a combined rating. Your VA.gov status will show "Preparation for Decision."

What to do
  • Do not contact the VA to "hurry along" the decision — it doesn't help
  • If you receive new medical evidence, submit it immediately as it may be considered
8
🏆 Milestone — Rating Decision Issued
Rating Decision Received
Typically 3–9 months from submission

You receive a Rating Decision letter by mail (and in your VA.gov messages) with the VA's determination: each condition rated, your combined rating, and your monthly compensation amount. This decision has two outcomes: approved or denied.

What to do immediately
  • Read the entire decision carefully — note each condition's rating and the reasons
  • Note the date on the decision letter — your appeal window opens now
  • Use our Denial Analyzer if any condition was denied or rated lower than expected
— IF APPROVED: Your monthly payments begin, retroactive to your Intent to File date —
— IF DENIED or UNDERRATED: You have appeal options below —
!
⏰ Critical 1-Year Deadline
File Your Appeal Within 1 Year
Deadline: 1 year from Rating Decision date

If your claim was denied or rated lower than it should be, you MUST file an appeal within 1 year of your Rating Decision date to preserve your original effective date. Missing this deadline means your back pay starts over from a later date — potentially costing thousands of dollars.

Appeal options (choose one)
  • Supplemental Claim — submit new and relevant evidence (VA Form 20-0995)
  • Higher-Level Review — senior rater reviews same evidence (VA Form 20-0996) · No new evidence
  • Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) — judge review; can take 12–24+ months

Use claim.vet to prepare every step of your claim — from condition identification to denial analysis.

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