The VA’s initial review is a quick completeness check that often wraps in days or a few weeks; total claim time averages about 95 days.
When a disability filing hits the VA’s system, the first status many Veterans see is “Initial review.” This step confirms identity details, confirms the form type, and screens the packet for obvious gaps. The deeper work—collecting records and scheduling exams—comes later. If you’re staring at the tracker and wondering how long the first pass lasts, this guide explains the range, why it varies, and what you can do now to keep things moving.
Initial Review Time For VA Claims — What To Expect
The first pass is administrative. A reviewer checks your name, Social Security number, service branch markers, addresses, and whether the claim has enough to move forward. In routine cases, this check finishes in a short window—often within several business days. In busier periods or when forms are missing, it can stretch to a couple of weeks. The big picture helps: the VA posts the average days to complete a disability claim across all steps. In August 2025, that site showed an average near 95 days across the process. The first step is only a slice of that total.
What Happens During The First Pass
Think of this stage as a gate check. Staff confirm the file opens cleanly, your intent is clear, and the claim can pass into evidence work. If a required form is missing or a signature is blank, the claim pauses and you’ll get a request. Once the basics line up, the file moves forward to evidence gathering.
VA Claim Status Words And What They Mean
Different screens and emails use a set of status labels. The table below translates the early ones you’re likely to see and explains what each status means for timing.
| Status Term | What It Means | Timing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Claim Received | Your filing arrived and a case number exists. | Starts the clock; moves quickly to the next step. |
| Initial Review | Identity and completeness screen; basic validations. | Often days; can run longer if anything is missing. |
| Evidence Gathering | VA requests records, schedules exams, and compiles files. | Usually the longest phase, per the VA’s public page. |
| Evidence Review | Collected items are checked for sufficiency. | May loop back if new records arrive. |
| Rating | A rater reviews the file and proposes a decision. | Length varies with case complexity. |
| Preparing Decision Letter | Drafting and quality checks for the letter. | Short phase; can bounce back if evidence updates. |
| Final Review | A senior reviewer checks the packet and letter. | Short quality-control pass. |
| Claim Decided | Decision posted online and mailed. | Mail can add days; the portal shows it sooner. |
Why The First Pass Can Be Fast—or Slow
Several things influence the clock here:
Workload At The Processing Office
Heavy intake weeks add queue time. When volume spikes, the first pass absorbs the surge before it flows into evidence tasks.
Completeness Of The Packet
A clean filing glides forward. A missing 21-526EZ field, a blank signature, or mismatched addresses triggers a request and extra days.
Form Type And Claim Path
Fully Developed Claims tend to leave the first pass sooner if your evidence is already in hand. Standard claims move too, but the file may pause if the plan relies on VA to fetch key records.
Identity And Record Matching
Name changes, service numbers, or overlapping records can prompt manual checks. Those checks add time early but prevent bigger delays later.
What You Can Do While The First Pass Runs
You can act during this window without clogging the pipeline. These moves help the next steps:
Check Status In The Official Tool
Use the VA’s online tracker to see exactly where the file sits. It also shows evidence on file and requests sent to you. Here’s the link to the claim status tool.
Upload Items The VA Will Ask For Anyway
Think treatment records from private doctors, nexus letters, and line-of-duty paperwork. If you already have them, upload them. If VA still needs to fetch hospital records, the release forms should be tight and readable.
Prepare For A C&P Exam
If an exam is likely, enable voicemail, watch email, and keep travel flexible. Missing an exam adds weeks to the total time. The VA spells out this step on the same page that outlines the process timeline.
How The Early Stage Fits Into The Full Timeline
The first pass is just one step. The VA explains the full sequence and notes that evidence work is usually the longest part of the claim. The public page also lists the current average days to complete a disability claim across all steps. That figure hovered near 95 days in late summer 2025. A short first pass and a smooth exam schedule help keep your case close to that average.
Typical Sequence From Start To Decision
Here’s a plain-language walkthrough of what most files see from start to finish:
1) Intake And Case Number
You submit the claim. The system logs it. You see “Claim received.”
2) First Pass Completeness Check
A clerk confirms basics and flags missing items. You see “Initial review.”
3) Evidence Work Begins
Requests go out for treatment records and service documents. Exams get scheduled. The status moves to “Evidence gathering.”
4) Evidence Review
Staff read the file and decide if the picture is clear. If you upload new material, the file can return to gathering.
5) Rating
A rater reviews everything and drafts a decision.
6) Decision Packet Prep
The letter is built and checked for quality.
7) Senior Review
An experienced reviewer gives it a final look to catch errors.
8) Decision Posted
The letter appears in the portal and arrives by mail soon after.
How To Keep The First Pass From Dragging
Small steps prevent avoidable pauses:
- Use the latest forms and fill every required field.
- Match your name and contact details to your ID and service records.
- Scan uploads cleanly so they’re readable on the first try.
- Respond fast to any request you receive by letter or portal message.
When The Status Jumps Back To The First Pass
Seeing the tracker return to the early label can feel confusing. That bounce can happen when new files arrive, when a correction is needed, or when the system re-queues the case after an update. It does not always signal a setback. Often it’s the system resetting the order before moving forward again.
Early Delays You Can Control
Many short snags have simple fixes. Use this checklist to spot and fix them quickly.
| Potential Snag | Fix You Can Try | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Unreadable Scans | Rescan to PDF at 300 dpi; label files clearly. | Reduces back-and-forth and re-requests. |
| Mismatched Names | Use the name on your DD214 across all forms. | Prevents identity checks from stalling. |
| Missing Release Forms | Upload signed, dated releases for private providers. | Allows VA to request records without pause. |
| Old Mailing Address | Update contact info in the portal before filing. | Ensures letters and exam notices reach you. |
| Missed Exam | Call to reschedule fast; document the reason. | Prevents long gaps and keeps the file active. |
FAQ-Style Clarity Without The FAQ Box
Is There A Hard Number For The First Pass?
No single number fits every case. The VA doesn’t publish a fixed day count for the first pass because it’s a screening step that shifts with intake volume and file completeness. What the VA does publish is the running average for the full claim cycle and plain guidance on each step on its official site.
Does A Fully Developed Claim Help?
When your evidence is already packaged, the file moves forward with fewer requests. That trims the chance of early pauses, which makes the first pass feel shorter.
What If The Tracker Shows No Movement?
Log in to the official portal and check for document requests. If none appear and it has been a while, call the benefits line or message through the portal. Keep the note short and precise: your file number, the status you see, and what you’re checking on.
Realistic Timing Guidance You Can Use
Plan for the first pass to land in a short window and budget the bulk of your waiting for the evidence phase. If you keep your phone handy for scheduling calls, show up for exams, and upload clean records early, your timeline tends to track closer to the posted average. The VA’s process page also points out that the evidence step is “usually the longest,” which matches what many Veterans report once they reach decision.
Where To Find Official Updates
Two bookmarks cover almost everything you need during the wait:
- The VA’s live page on what happens after you file, which includes the current average days and a plain rundown of each step.
- The secure claim status tracker, which shows your exact step, evidence on file, and letters you can download.
Action Plan For This Week
Here’s a short plan you can run right now while that first pass completes:
- Log in to the tracker and confirm the step shown. Grab your case number.
- Scan private medical records to crisp PDFs. Name files by provider and date.
- Fill and sign release forms so VA can request anything you don’t have.
- Set a reminder to check messages twice a week. Respond the same day.
- Keep your phone nearby for exam scheduling calls. Ask for the soonest slot you can attend.
Bottom Line
The first pass rarely defines your full wait. It’s a short screening that sets the table for the heavy lifting. Most time comes from building the evidence picture and getting through exams and rating. If your packet is clean and you respond fast, the early step stays short and the whole claim is more likely to land near the posted average for the full cycle.