VA final review is the last quality check; timing varies by case, and the overall claim average was about 95 days in August 2025.
If you’re staring at “final review” in your VA status, you’re close. This step is a senior check of the draft decision and the letter that explains it. Some claims move through this step fast; others sit longer if a reviewer spots a gap and sends the file back for more work. Below, you’ll see what that last step covers, how long it tends to take in context of the full timeline, and how to keep momentum so your envelope (or downloadable letter) lands without extra detours.
VA Final Review Timeline: How Long It Usually Takes
There isn’t a fixed day count for the last step. The VA publishes the overall average to finish disability claims, not a per-step clock. In August 2025, the average completion time across disability claims was listed at about 94.8 days, and the page also spells out that “final review” is a senior pass on the decision and letter before the claim shows as decided. You can read that breakdown on VA’s “After You File” page and see the same step described on the Claims Process page under “Pending Decision Approval.”
So what should you expect? In many files, the last check is short. In busier periods or when a reviewer flags a detail, it can stretch. Think of it as the final gate. If nothing needs to be fixed, it often moves in days. If a fix is needed—say, an exam report didn’t attach correctly—the case can bounce back to evidence review or even evidence gathering, which adds time.
Where Final Review Fits In The Bigger Timeline
The last step makes more sense when you view it against the full path or a decision-review path (like a Higher-Level Review). Here’s a quick, broad table to orient you early. It uses VA’s current averages and stated goals where available.
| Path | What “Final Review” Means Here | Average/Goal (Whole Path) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Disability Claim | Senior check of the decision and letter before it posts and mails. | About 94.8 days in Aug 2025 (overall average). VA “After You File” |
| Higher-Level Review | Experienced reviewer re-checks for error or a difference of opinion; no new evidence. | VA goal ~125 days. VA HLR page |
| Board Appeal (Direct Review) | Law Judge review; “final review” is at Board level before decision issues. | Board wait time varies; see Board wait-time explainer. Board wait times |
What Happens During The Last Check
Final review is a quality and compliance pass. A senior reviewer confirms the rating, effective dates, and any inferred issues are handled, and that the letter text matches the rating. If something doesn’t line up, the file returns to the prior phase to fix it. VA describes this step on two official pages: the “Final review” section on the status explainer and “Pending Decision Approval” on the 8-step process.
Why Some Files Move Fast
Fast passages tend to share three traits: all exams posted on time, evidence is complete, and the draft decision is clean. When those pieces are in place, the senior pass is mostly verification and release prep, then your letter posts to the status tool and the mail copy follows. The VA notes that the mailed packet should arrive within about 10 business days after the decision, though download in the claim tool comes sooner.
Why A Case Can Linger
Delays in the last step often come from a small fix that sends the file back a phase. A missing attachment, mismatched diagnostic code, or an effective-date question can do it. When that happens, your status may jump backward to evidence review or preparation for decision, then return to final review once the fix lands. The VA’s process page explains these loops in plain terms.
How Your Choice Of Lane Changes Expectations
If you’re not on an initial claim but asked for a re-look, the clock you care about shifts with the lane. The Higher-Level Review lane has a stated goal of about four to five months. If you pick the Board and ask for a hearing or submit evidence, you should plan for a longer wait than a direct review docket. The Board’s wait-time page lays out why those choices change timing.
Quick Lane Guide
- Higher-Level Review (HLR): No new evidence; senior reviewer checks for error. VA goal ~125 days.
- Supplemental Claim: You add new and relevant evidence; timing depends on how fast that evidence arrives and is weighed. See the decision-reviews pages for current steps.
- Board Appeal: A Judge reviews your case. Wait time varies by docket (hearing vs. direct).
How To Read Your Status During The Last Phase
You’ll see one of two cues near the end:
- Final review: a senior pass on the rating and the letter.
- Claim decided / Preparation for notification: the decision is set; your packet is being readied, and the download usually appears in the online tool before the mailed copy arrives.
To check status, use VA’s online tool from the “After You File” page. It shows where you are and lets you download the letter once posted. VA claim status
Practical Ways To Avoid Extra Days At The End
Small steps on your side can keep the last check short. None of these force a result, but they cut avoidable swings back to earlier phases:
Before The Last Step
- Attend exams: missed exams trigger evidence gaps that ripple into the endgame.
- Upload clean copies: legible, complete files reduce last-minute returns.
- Stick to one lane: filing duplicate requests while one is pending can tangle your record. The decision-reviews pages warn against duplicate filings.
During Final Review
- Watch for calls: answer unknown numbers while you’re waiting; missed calls can delay informal HLR conferences.
- Use plain issue labels: when you file, list issues clearly so the letter mirrors your filing without last-minute edits.
What Happens Right After Final Review
Once the senior pass is done, the system flips to “Claim decided.” Your letter becomes available in the status tool, and a mail copy follows. VA notes mail delivery should take about 10 business days, but the download usually appears sooner. If you disagree with the decision, you have three paths under the modern decision-reviews system: Supplemental Claim, HLR, or a Board Appeal. Start by reading the VA’s official overview here: Decision reviews.
Typical End-Of-Process Questions, Answered
“My Claim Sat In Final Review For A Week. Is That Normal?”
Yes. A week is common. Many cases pass in a few days; some take longer if a reviewer sends the file back for a fix. The VA’s process pages make clear that files can loop backward when more information is needed.
“Can Final Review Take A Month?”
It can. That usually points to a return for corrections or a high-volume surge at the regional office. The overall average for the full claim still helps set expectations. In August 2025 the posted average was about 95 days for completion across disability-related claims.
“Will A Higher-Level Review Make The End Faster?”
HLR is a different lane with its own clock. VA’s goal for HLR is about 125 days on average, and choosing an informal conference can add time.
How To Plan Your Next Steps If You Disagree
If your letter arrives and you’re not on board with the outcome, pick the lane that matches your situation:
- New and relevant evidence? File a Supplemental Claim.
- Think the rater made an error? Ask for HLR and point to the error in writing, or schedule an informal call.
- Want a Judge to review? Choose a Board Appeal. The Board’s explainer outlines how docket choice changes the wait. Board wait times
Signs Your File Is Ready To Close Soon
Watch for these markers near the finish line:
- Status flips from “Preparing decision letter” to “Final review.” That means the senior pass is underway.
- Then “Claim decided.” Your letter should be downloadable in the status tool, with mail on the way.
What You Can Do If Nothing Moves
If your status doesn’t change for a stretch and you think something’s off, try these steps:
- Open the online status page to confirm the last update time and the current phase.
- If you’re in a decision-review lane, don’t submit a second request while one is pending. The VA warns that duplicate filings can slow things down.
- Call 800-827-1000 and ask whether the file bounced back for a fix or is waiting in a review queue.
Common Factors That Stretch Or Shorten The Last Step
Below is a simple matrix to help you spot what tends to speed the ending—or slow it down.
| Factor | Effect On The Last Step | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Clean evidence record | Fewer returns to earlier phases. | Upload legible files once; avoid duplicates. |
| Missed exam | Reviewer may send the file back for more evidence. | Attend all exams or reschedule fast. |
| Informal HLR conference | Can add scheduling time before decision. | Choose written argument if speed matters. |
| High-volume surge | Queues lengthen at the regional office. | Check status weekly; avoid duplicate filings. |
| Board hearing request | Longer wait than direct review. | Pick the docket that matches your needs. |
Realistic Expectations, Minus The Guesswork
Here’s the clean takeaway. The last step is a senior check. Many files pass in days; some take longer if there’s a fix. The number the VA publishes—about 95 days in August 2025—describes the whole claim, not just the last step. If you move into HLR later, plan on a separate lane with a stated goal near four to five months. Pick Board only if you want a Judge, and expect the wait to vary by docket. All of this comes straight from VA’s own pages, linked above.