A VA Higher-Level Review typically finishes in about 125 days (around 4–5 months), though an informal conference can extend the wait.
Picking the right review lane after an initial decision can save months. This guide shows how the Higher-Level Review (HLR) timeline plays out and what to do while you wait.
Higher-Level Review Timing At A Glance
VA sets a public goal for HLRs: an average of 125 days. That’s roughly four to five months from the day you file. A phone meeting with the senior reviewer (called an informal conference) can add time, while a clean file and reliable contact details can keep things moving. Read the rule language on VA’s Higher-Level Review page.
| Review Path | What You Can Submit | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-Level Review | No new evidence; you can request a call with the reviewer | Goal: ~125 days; longer with a conference |
| Supplemental Claim | New and relevant evidence | Often similar goal posted by VA; varies with development |
| Board Appeal | No new evidence in Direct Review; evidence allowed in other dockets | Longest route; many months to years |
What “About 125 Days” Really Means
That number is a target, not a promise. Workloads shift across regional offices, and some files need extra development after a duty-to-assist error is found. When that happens, VA closes the review, opens a new claim to fix the gap, and decides the case once the missing records arrive.
When Reviews Finish Sooner
- Your contact info is current, so schedulers reach you on the first try.
- You skip the phone conference and send a tight written statement flagging the exact errors.
- Your issues are narrow and already supported in the file.
When Reviews Take Longer
- You request an informal conference and the call window slips.
- Your case involves many conditions or complex effective-date math.
- Backlog spikes at the office handling your lane.
Close Variant: How Long A VA Higher-Level Review Usually Takes (Real-World Timing)
Across recent cycles, most HLR decisions land in the four-to-five-month range, with outliers on both ends. Files with a phone conference, missing exams, or mail delays tend to push past the goal. Straightforward disagreements—where the senior reviewer can fix a clear error—often finish near the target.
What Happens During A Higher-Level Review
A senior reviewer re-reads your file for legal and factual errors. No new evidence is allowed in this lane. You can ask for a call to explain where the earlier decision went wrong. If nobody answers the call after two tries, the review proceeds without the conference.
The Decision You Could See
- Changed decision: the reviewer finds error or a different view of the same record.
- Duty-to-assist error: the review closes and VA gathers the missing evidence under a new claim.
- No change: you keep your effective date if you continue your case in another lane within a year.
How To File An HLR The Smart Way
Use VA Form 20-0996 and list each issue with the decision date. Keep your statement crisp: cite the page, exam, or code section you think was misapplied. If a phone call would only restate the form, skip it. If a conversation would help the reviewer spot the error, pick a morning or afternoon window and be ready to answer.
Clear, Simple Steps
- Check eligibility. You can request this lane within one year of your decision.
- Decide on a call. Choose the phone conference only if it adds value.
- Complete VA Form 20-0996. List issues and dates; keep the narrative short.
- File online or by mail. For disability compensation, online filing is available; other benefit types use mail or in-person drop-off.
- Answer calls. Missed calls can trigger a decision without a conference.
Tracking Your Case Without Guesswork
Once filed, you can follow your status on VA’s sign-in tools and status pages. Status messages show where your file sits, whether a call is pending, and when a letter has posted. Use VA’s status explanations and the decision reviews overview.
When This Lane Fits—And When It Doesn’t
Pick HLR when the record already supports a different outcome and you’re pointing to error, not new proof. Choose a Supplemental Claim when you have fresh medical records, a nexus opinion, lay statements, or newly presumptive conditions. Jump to the Board when you want a judge to decide based on the same record (Direct Review), or when you need time to add evidence under the evidence or hearing dockets.
Which Path Saves Time?
If timing is your sole concern and you have no new evidence, HLR is usually the quickest. If you hold new proof, a Supplemental Claim can beat the judge’s docket. If you need a judge, plan on a longer wait but a fresh legal look.
Timeline: From Filing To Decision
Week 0–2: Intake And Routing
Your form is scanned, your lane is set, and the case is routed to a senior reviewer.
Week 3–8: Preliminary Review
The reviewer checks eligibility, issues, and any requested call.
Week 9–14: Conference Window Or Desk Review
If you asked for a call, the office schedules it. A missed call after two attempts leads to a desk review.
Week 15–18: Draft Decision
The reviewer writes the decision. Duty-to-assist errors trigger a separate claim to gather missing records.
Week 19–18+: Finalization And Mailing
The decision posts to your account. If you disagree, you have one year to pick another lane.
Pointers That Shave Days Off The Clock
- Use a short cover page that lists each issue and the citation you believe fits.
- Stick to facts pulled from the existing file; save new proof for a different lane.
- Keep phone numbers and email current in your VA profile.
Common Reasons HLRs Miss The Target Date
- Phone conference backlogs and reschedules.
- Mail delays for paper filings and decision letters.
- Large, multi-issue files that require extra time to parse.
- Duty-to-assist errors that require new exams or record requests under a new claim.
What To Do If You’re Still Waiting After Five Months
Check status online, call the benefits hotline, and confirm your contact details. If you used the phone conference option, ask whether the call occurred or needs a new window. If your issues hinge on evidence that isn’t in the record, consider switching lanes to a Supplemental Claim with new documents.
Key VA Pages You’ll Use
| Task | Where To Click | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| File or read HLR rules | Higher-Level Review page | Shows the 125-day goal and the phone conference note |
| Compare lanes | Decision reviews overview | Spells out all three modern options |
| Track progress | Status explanations | Decodes common status messages |
Should You Ask For The Phone Conference?
Choose it when a short conversation makes the error obvious—like a missed diagnosis in a VA exam, or a rating chart misread. Skip it if your written statement already nails the issue. The agency states that calls can extend the timeline, so weigh that trade-off against speed.
After The Decision: Keeping Your Date Protected
If you disagree with the result, you can switch lanes within one year. As long as you keep your case moving within that window, you preserve the link to your earlier filing date. That single rule protects back pay across steps.
Timing In One Line
Plan for around four to five months for this lane. Build a sharp, concise statement, keep your contact details current, and only request the call if it will add value. That approach gives you the best shot at landing as close to the posted goal as your facts allow.