Checking Online
Have you ever tried checking on the status of your VA claim, specifically your claim for disability benefits? When it comes to looking into the status of your claim, the VA recommends that veterans check either online, or over the phone through various VA telephone numbers that can provide you with the status or send you in the right direction.
Based on the VA’s resources and improvements in technology, it appears that checking the status of your claim online is likely the preferred method. All this requires is your VA login information and access to the internet.
There are several different types of VA logins (or accounts) you can use to access your claim. Here are the acceptable options listed by the VA, for which most veterans already have or use for other VA services:
- gov
- me
- DS Logon (for eBenefits or milConnect)
- My HealthVet
If you do not already have an account, you can create an account at https://www.va.gov/?next=loginModal. This account can be used by the veteran for all future claims. If you need any help with creating one of these accounts, the VA suggests that you call the VA’s MyVA411 main information line for help at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).
Once you have created and accessed your VA claim account, all you need to do to check the status is to select the desired claim listed on the home page. You can then review the most recent status, upload or few any files associated with the claim, or details. These options will be listed at “Status”, “Files’, or “Details” as tabs towards the top of the page.
Checking Over the Phone
If you would prefer to check the status of your claim online, call the VA at 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). The VA is available to help Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
Understanding the Status of Your Claim
Once you’ve been able to access your claim online or over the phone, the next hurdle is understanding the exact status that you are provided with. Generally, the VA will let you know what claims have been made, any evidence submitted that has been submitted to support any claims, and the specific type of appeal that was filed with the VA.
For all types of claims, these types statuses include mostly:
- Received your claim
- Initial review of the claim is taking place
- Full review of the evidence
- Preparing for final decision to be made
- Claim complete and documents sent to veteran
When it comes to understanding the status of your claim that was filed as a Higher-Level Review (HLR), there is another specific status that may be listed as “Correcting Error”, where an issue is being reevaluated before a decision can be made on your case.
If you had filed an appeal with the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA), there are additional statuses that specify the progress of your case on the docket:
- Hearing waiting to be scheduled
- Hearing has been scheduled
- Case has been sent to a judge
- A judge is reviewing appeal
- A judge needs more information
- Claim is open for evidence
For all types of claims, its important to understand that the “Completed” statuses, are not guaranteed as to when decision will be completed.
If you need any type of help understanding the status of your claim, please contact the VA by phone at 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711), with operating hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
How long does a claim usually take?
While its difficult to predict or guarantee how long it will take for your VA claims to be fully processed and completed, the VA currently provides that HLR, Supplemental, and BVA claims can take as long as:
- HLR Claim = 125 days on average
- Supplemental Claim = 125 days on average
- BVA Claim = 365 days on average
The VA is often optimistic about their projections for the duration of a claim, and the reality is that these claims will often take significantly longer, mostly in cases where the appeal was filed at the BVA level. Although having an attorney on your side for your VA disability claims doesn’t move mountains, our goal is to do everything we can to push along your case and aide in ways, such as filing status letters, writ of mandamus petitions, and expedites for age, health, and financial strain.
SOURCES
https://www.va.gov/?next=loginModal
https://www.va.gov/resources/claim-status-tool-faqs/
https://www.va.gov/resources/what-your-claim-status-means/
