Check Your VA Disability Claim Status
Track your claim progress, understand processing stages, and know what to expect at each step. Stay informed about your VA disability claim from start to finish.
Why Track Your VA Claim Status
Monitoring your VA claim status online provides several important benefits:
Stay Informed
Know exactly where your claim is in the process and what's happening with your application.
Respond Quickly
The VA may request additional evidence or schedule examinations. Checking regularly ensures you don't miss important requests.
Reduce Anxiety
Understanding the process and seeing progress helps reduce the uncertainty of waiting.
Take Action
If your claim stalls or requires information, you can respond immediately rather than discovering issues months later.
How to Check Claim Status Online
The fastest and most convenient way to check VA disability claim status is through the VA.gov online portal.
Using VA.gov (Recommended)
The VA.gov claims tracker tool provides real-time updates on your claim.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- 1
Sign In to VA.gov
Go to www.va.gov and click "Sign in" in the upper right corner. Use ID.me, Login.gov, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet credentials. Complete identity verification if first time signing in.
- 2
Navigate to Claims Status
Click your name in the upper right corner, select "Check your claim or appeal status", or go directly to va.gov/track-claims.
- 3
View Your Claims
See all open claims and appeals. View closed claims from the past 60 days. Click any claim for detailed status.
- 4
Check Detailed Information
View current status phase, estimated completion date (if available), documents you've submitted, documents VA has received from other sources, and any requests from VA for additional information.
Refresh Frequency: The VA updates claim information daily, typically overnight. Check back every few days for updates.
VA Mobile App
Download "VA: Health and Benefits" from App Store or Google Play to check claim status on your smartphone.
- Push notifications for claim updates
- Quick access from anywhere
- Upload evidence using phone camera
Check by Phone
If you can't access the online portal, call the VA to check your claim status.
VA Benefits Hotline:
1-800-827-1000
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM ET
Have ready: Name, SSN, VA file number
Through Your VSO
Your veteran service officer can access detailed claim information not visible to you online.
- See detailed claim notes
- Understand technical status codes
- Advocate for expedited processing
Understanding VA Claim Stages
Your claim moves through eight distinct phases. Understanding each stage helps you know what's happening and when to expect the next update.
Claim Received
Typical Duration: Immediate to 7 days
The VA has received your application and assigned a claim number.
What You Should Do:
- Save your claim number for future reference
- Ensure you have confirmation of filing
- Don't submit duplicate applications
Initial Review
Typical Duration: 1-3 weeks
The VA reviews your claim for completeness and identifies what evidence is needed.
What You Should Do:
- Respond to any immediate requests for information
- Continue gathering medical records if needed
- Ensure contact information is current
Evidence Gathering, Review, and Decision
Typical Duration: 30-90 days (varies significantly)
The VA is collecting medical records, service records, and scheduling examinations.
What You Should Do:
- Attend all scheduled C&P exams
- Respond to VA requests within 30 days
- Submit additional evidence if you discover new records
- Upload documents through VA.gov
Pending Decision Approval
Typical Duration: 1-5 days
The decision is undergoing final quality review before authorization.
What You Should Do:
- Decision is imminent
- Prepare to review your rating decision letter
- Understand notification will arrive within days
Preparation for Notification
Typical Duration: 3-7 days
Your decision is finalized and being prepared for delivery.
What You Should Do:
- Check your mail daily
- Verify your mailing address is current
- If approved, watch for first payment in bank account
Complete
Typical Duration: Final stage
Your claim is decided, and you've been notified.
What You Should Do:
- Carefully read your rating decision letter
- Note effective date calculation
- Verify monthly payment amount
- File appeal if you disagree
How Long Each Stage Takes
Understanding VA claim processing time helps set realistic expectations.
Average Total Timeline
from submission to decision
Faster Processing (60-100 days)
- Fully Developed Claims with all evidence submitted
- Simple claims with clear service connection
- Common conditions with straightforward medical evidence
- Online filing with complete documentation
- Single condition claims
Slower Processing (180+ days)
- Multiple complex conditions
- Unclear service connection requiring research
- Multiple C&P exams needed
- Difficulty obtaining old service records
- Backlog at specific regional offices
- Claims requiring specialty medical opinions
Timeline by Claim Type
| Claim Type | Average Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Fully Developed Claim | 70-100 days |
| Standard Original Claim | 130-140 days |
| Supplemental Claim | 100-120 days |
| Higher-Level Review | 120-140 days |
| Increase Rating Claim | 90-120 days |
| Secondary Condition | 120-150 days |
What to Do While Waiting
The waiting period doesn't have to be idle. Take productive steps to strengthen your claim and prepare for the decision.
Continue Medical Treatment
Ongoing treatment demonstrates the severity and persistence of your condition. It also creates additional medical evidence.
- Attend all scheduled medical appointments
- Document symptoms in medical records
- Keep a symptom journal
- Take prescribed medications
Respond to VA Requests Immediately
The VA may request additional information during evidence gathering review and decision phase.
- Most VA requests give you 30 days to respond
- Failure to respond may result in claim denial
- Upload documents through VA.gov for fastest processing
- Call 1-800-827-1000 if you need more time
Gather Additional Evidence
If you discover new evidence that supports your claim, submit it as soon as possible.
- Recent medical diagnoses or test results
- Buddy statements from service members
- Service records you recently obtained
- Private medical examinations or nexus letters
Prepare for Your C&P Exam
When the VA schedules your compensation and pension exam, preparation is key.
- Review your claim and conditions before the exam
- Describe your worst days, not best days
- Explain how conditions affect daily life
- Bring list of medications and medical records
Check Status Regularly
Monitor your claim status VA.gov weekly to catch updates quickly.
- Check status once or twice per week
- Don't check daily (unlikely to see daily changes)
- Respond within 24 hours to any VA requests
- Note status changes and dates in a journal
Keep Contact Information Current
The VA needs to reach you for exam appointments and notifications.
- Update mailing address, phone number, and email
- Update through VA.gov profile or call 1-800-827-1000
When to Contact the VA
Know when checking in is helpful versus counterproductive.
Appropriate Times to Contact
- Claim Appears Stalled: No status change in 60+ days during evidence gathering
- Missed a VA Request: You didn't receive a letter or missed an appointment
- Changes to Your Claim: Your condition worsened significantly or you have new diagnosis
- Questions About Status: Status meaning is unclear or estimated completion date passed
Avoid Unnecessary Contact
- Claim is moving through normal stages
- Within average processing timeline
- Status updated recently
- You're just anxious (check online instead)
Excessive contact doesn't speed processing and may slow down claims examiners who must respond to inquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does VA update claim status?
The VA updates claim status information daily, typically overnight. Check every few days for meaningful updates.
What does "gathering evidence" mean?
The VA is collecting medical records, service records, and scheduling your compensation and pension exam. This stage often takes the longest.
Can I check claim status without a computer?
Yes, call 1-800-827-1000 to check VA claim status by phone. You can also visit your regional office or contact your VSO.
What if I missed my C&P exam?
Call 1-800-827-1000 immediately to reschedule. Missing exams without rescheduling can result in claim denial.
How long after my claim shows "complete" will I receive payment?
If approved, first payment typically arrives 15-30 days after decision. This includes retroactive payment based on your effective date.
Need Help With Your Claim?
Our team can help you understand your claim status and take the right next steps. Get personalized guidance from experts who understand the VA system.