How long does it take for a fully developed claim to be processed?

Asked by: Kimberly Murray  |  Last update: January 27, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (53 votes)

If you submit a Fully Developed Claim (FDC)—meaning—all the evidence is uploaded in support of your claim, you'll likely get a VA rating decision in 3-4 months from start to finish. However, VA claim decision timelines vary wildly from a few days to two years or more.

Is a fully developed claim faster?

If you want to get a faster decision on your disability benefits claim by submitting evidence along with your claim, use the Fully Developed Claims program.

How long are fully developed claims taking?

If you submit all the evidence your claim needs and are able to submit a VA Fully Developed Claim, you will most likely receive a decision on your VA disability claim in 3-5 months from when you submit your claim.

How long are fully developed VA claims taking in 2024?

You can find the latest information about the average timeframe for VA disability claims on the VA website. For instance, VA disability claims from September 2024 took an average of 144.9 days to complete.

How long does it take for claim to be processed?

Generally, you may be able to expect a claim to take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to be processed and resolved. For straightforward claims, the process can be quicker, and are often resolved within a week.

How long does a fully developed VA claim take?

38 related questions found

How long does an insurance claim take on a totaled car?

It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for an insurance company to process a totaled car claim, although it could take up to 30 days. Some states have requirements limiting insurance companies' time to process claims, ensuring you get your payout faster.

Can you sue an insurance company for taking too long?

The answer to this question is complex, but California health insurance providers are bound by state law to respond to claims within a specific amount of time. If they fail to do so, you may have the basis for a lawsuit against your insurer due to bad faith.

What is the backlog of the VA claims in 2024?

As of June 2024, the VA benefits claims and appeals backlog hovers around 249,587 cases. This sounds like a lot, but it is substantially better than the backlog in March 2013, when it reached over 600,000 cases. You can check out the VA's website to see how the backlog has progressed.

What is the longest a VA claim can take?

In our experience, it can take anywhere from months to a year or longer for an application to be approved.

What is the largest VA back pay?

There is no limit to the amount of back pay a veteran can receive.

How do I know if my VA claim will be approved?

You can check the status of your VA claim, decision review, or appeal online right now. You'll need to sign in first with Login.gov, ID.me, DS Logon, or My HealtheVet. If you don't have any of these accounts, you can create a free Login.gov or ID.me account now.

What is the most common 100% VA disability?

The Most Common VA Disability Claims
  • Tinnitus. Tinnitus is the most common disability among veterans, affecting over 2 million individuals. ...
  • Hearing Loss. ...
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...
  • Clear Service Connection. ...
  • Objective Diagnostic Tests. ...
  • Streamlined Claims Process. ...
  • Medical Documentation. ...
  • Nexus Letter.

Why is my VA claim stuck in preparation for decision 2024?

If your VA claim is stuck in the preparation for decision stage, it could be due to the type of claim you filed, its complexity, or how long it takes the VA to collect relevant evidence.

How long does it take the VA to review a fully developed claim?

If you submit a Fully Developed Claim (FDC)—meaning—all the evidence is uploaded in support of your claim, you'll likely get a VA rating decision in 3-4 months from start to finish. However, VA claim decision timelines vary wildly from a few days to two years or more.

What disabilities can the VA not prove?

No, there aren't any VA disability claims that cannot be proven. In fact, all VA claims must be proven on an “at least as likely as not” basis. If you have no evidence (no proof), your VA claim will be denied. Also, you must first ensure you're even eligible for VA disability benefits under the law.

What does a fully developed claim mean with the VA?

The Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program is the fastest way to get your VA pension claim processed, and there's no risk to your taking part in it. Just send in all your evidence, or supporting documents, when you file your claim.

What is the hardest VA claim to get?

1. Mental Health Conditions (e.g., PTSD, Depression) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most frequently filed claims by veterans, but it's also one of the hardest to get approved.

How long are VA claims taking in 2024?

As of July 2024, the average time to complete a VA disability claim is approximately 155.38 days from submission to decision.

What is the 70-40 rule for VA disability?

You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or. You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more.

What VA claims get approved the most?

The Top Ten Most Commonly Approved VA Claims:
  • Tinnitus.
  • Hearing Loss.
  • Limitation of Flexion, Knee.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (Back Pain)
  • Scars, General.
  • Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve.
  • Limitation of Range of Motion of the Ankle.

What is the VA 10 year rule?

The ten-year rule says that the VA cannot revoke a veteran's disability rating if they have had it for a decade or more. That means that the VA has to offer the vet some level of benefits, although there are limited exceptions. Also, the ten-year rule is a moot point for a subset of veterans' disability claims.

Can I sue my insurance company for emotional distress?

Yes, you can sue for emotional distress under the common law standard, but it can be hard to prove. This is because you must show that the result of your claim denial caused you pain and suffering or emotional distress. This intangible loss can be more difficult to prove than, say, the cost of medical bills.

What to do if an insurance claim is taking too long?

What can you do if an insurance company is taking too long?
  1. Call your insurance company. First and foremost you should give the insurance company every opportunity to fulfill your claim. ...
  2. Review your policy with a different agent. ...
  3. Request a formal denial letter. ...
  4. Call an experienced lawyer to sue the insurance company.

How likely is an insurance company to sue you?

While subrogation allows insurance providers to pursue third parties, an insurer usually cannot sue their policyholders. However, there are certain situations where an insurer may take legal action against its policyholder.