A VA Higher-Level Review usually finishes in about 125 days; adding an informal conference can push it closer to 6–8 months.
If you just got a decision you disagree with, timing is everything. This guide lays out how the review clock works, what can slow it down, and smart ways to keep your case moving. You’ll see clear steps, real timelines, and what to do next if the result misses the mark.
How Long Does A VA Higher-Level Review Take Today?
The agency sets an average target of 125 days, which lands near four to five months for most claims that aren’t about health care benefits. Many cases finish inside that window. Some run longer, mainly when you add an informal conference or when the office handling your file has a heavy queue. Some periods run six to eight months. The sections below show where the time goes and ways to save days.
Stage-By-Stage Timeline And What To Expect
Every file passes the same core checkpoints. The names can vary by office, but the flow stays consistent. Use this map to match what you see in your online status updates.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt & Intake | Your VA Form 20-0996 is logged and the issues list is set. If anything is missing, the team will ask for fixes. | 1–2 weeks |
| Assignment | A senior reviewer is queued. Files may hop between sites based on staffing. | 2–8 weeks |
| Review | A de novo look at the same evidence of record. No new evidence is allowed in this lane. | 1–3 months |
| Informal Conference (if chosen) | Phone call with the reviewer to point out errors. Scheduling can add a wait. | 2–8 weeks |
| Decision Draft & Quality Checks | Rationale is written and checked. If a duty-to-assist error is found, a new claim is opened. | 1–3 weeks |
| Notification | Decision is posted online and mailed. Deadlines for next steps start here. | 3–10 days |
You can see the agency’s stated goal on the official page for higher-level reviews. The same page notes that choosing an informal conference can add time. If you want speed and your points fit in writing, a tight written statement can be faster than waiting for a call. Read the official guidance on How long does a Higher-Level Review take? for the latest goal and notes.
What Can Shorten Or Lengthen The Wait
Picking The Right Lane
This lane rechecks the record you already have. If key medical proof is missing, a Supplemental Claim is the better path since it lets you submit new evidence. Filing in the right lane avoids weeks of back-and-forth and keeps you from circling back later.
Informal Conference: When It Helps
The call lets you flag errors to the senior reviewer. It shines when the dispute is about how the facts were weighed or when the decision misread a report. If your points need no back-and-forth, a crisp written argument inside your request can save time.
Office Workload And Backlog
Backlog shifts over time. When claims spike or staffing dips, waits grow. Some seasons hit five months; others stretch past half a year. You can’t fix the queue, but you can avoid delays you control.
Missed Calls Or Letters
If the reviewer can’t reach you for a scheduled call after two tries, they’ll decide the case without the conference. Missed agency exams also slow things down. Keep contact info current and pick a call window you can make.
How To File So The Clock Starts Clean
Use The Correct Form
Submit VA Form 20-0996 with the benefit type and each issue. List the decision date for every issue. File online for disability compensation, or send the paper form by mail or in person. The form page on VA.gov explains each route and links to the download: VA Form 20-0996.
Write A Tight Issues List
Match the exact issue names from your decision letter. If you mix benefit types on one form, the office can’t work it and will ask for a new filing, which adds days.
State The Errors You See
Point to clear mistakes, such as misapplied law, overlooked records, or rating math. Keep it focused and specific. If you request a call, mention the same points so the reviewer can prep.
Choose A Call Window
Pick morning or afternoon and list the best number. If you have a representative, decide who will take the call and put that name on the form. Be ready with notes and page cites.
Tracking Status And Reading Milestones
Once filed, you can follow progress in your account. Status terms can vary, but they map to the stages in the first table. Here’s how common messages translate. These labels help set expectations:
“We Received Your Request”
Intake is complete and your issues are in the system. If the entry looks wrong, call the number on your letter right away to fix it before assignment.
“A Reviewer Is Taking A Fresh Look”
Your file is on a senior rater’s desk. This is the longest stretch. The reviewer checks the law, exams, and past decisions. No new evidence is read in this lane.
“We Scheduled Your Informal Conference”
You’ll get a date window. The reviewer will call twice. If you can’t pick up, call the office as soon as you can to reschedule.
“We Made A New Decision”
The letter is out. Read the reasons and bases section line by line. The clock for next steps starts on the date of the notice.
Ways To Keep Your Case Moving
Set Up Alerts
Turn on email and text alerts in your VA profile. Fast replies to agency requests prevent idle time.
Prep For The Call
If you asked for a conference, draft a one-page script with the errors you want to cover and the page numbers that back each point. Keep the call tight and on topic.
Use A Representative
An accredited VSO, agent, or attorney can track status, spot legal issues, and join the call. Pick someone who knows your file.
Mind Deadlines
You generally have one year from the prior decision to file this review. After the new decision arrives, your next-step windows start fresh. Deadlines sit in the notice letter, so keep that copy handy.
Results You Can Get And What Each One Means
Grant
The reviewer fixes the error and updates the rating or the effective date. Pay and benefits follow the new decision rules.
Partial Grant
Some issues move in your favor while others stand as is. Read each issue’s section, since deadlines for next steps apply per issue.
Continued Denial
No change. At this point you can pick a new lane and keep pressing your case.
Next Steps After A New Decision
Choose the path that fits the gaps in your current record and the kind of review you want next. Here’s a quick map.
| Next Step | Deadline | Best When |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Claim | Within one year of the notice | You have new and relevant medical proof or records to add. |
| Board Appeal | Within one year of the notice | You want a judge to review the case. Three dockets exist with trade-offs on speed and evidence. |
| New Higher-Level Review | Not available on the same issue | This lane is a one-time option per issue. Pick a different lane if you still disagree. |
Timing Clarifications You Asked About
How The Informal Conference Affects Outcomes
It can. The call lets you point the reviewer to a misread exam, a law cite, or a rating line that got applied the wrong way. When your goal is to correct a clear reading error, the call adds value. When your case needs new medical proof, the call won’t fix that; a Supplemental Claim is the better move.
If The Reviewer Finds A Duty-To-Assist Error
The review ends and a new claim opens to gather the missing evidence. That new claim has its own timeline. This path can feel slow, but it often leads to a cleaner record and a better shot on the next decision.
Ways To Trim The Wait
You can’t jump the line, but you can avoid self-inflicted delays: use the correct form, match issue names, keep contact details current, and be ready for calls. A short, well-aimed written statement helps the reviewer work fast.
Practical Checklist Before You File
1) Confirm The Right Lane
If you need to add new records or a fresh exam, pick a Supplemental Claim. If the record is strong and the dispute is about law or rating math, this lane fits.
2) Fill Out VA Form 20-0996 Cleanly
Pick the benefit type and list each issue with dates. Choose your call window and who should get the call. Keep a copy.
3) Draft Your Argument
One page is enough. State the error. Cite the page. State the fix you want. Keep the tone steady and factual.
4) Plan The Call (If You Want One)
Block a quiet time, have your notes ready, and answer the phone. If you miss both calls, the reviewer will decide the case without the conference.
Bottom Line On Timeframes
The average goal is about 125 days for non-health care claims, with many cases done in four to five months. Add a conference or a heavy queue and it can run six to eight months. Pick the right lane, file cleanly, and keep contact lines open to aim for the shorter end.