Most VA disability claims spend a few days to a few weeks in final review before the decision letter posts, unless new issues send it back.
The last checkpoint before a decision lands in your account is called the final review. A senior rater checks the draft decision, confirms the rating, and signs off on the letter. That stage can move fast, or it can pause if something is missing. This guide explains what that window looks like, what can speed it up, and what to do while you wait.
How Long Does Final Review Take In A VA Disability Claim: Realistic Windows
There is no single clock. Claims with clear evidence and no pending exams can pass through final review in days. Tougher files need extra validation and can run longer. VA also shows an overall average for full disability claims each month, which helps set context for the tail end of the process.
| Stage | What It Means | Typical Time Window |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | The rater decides service connection and %. | Days to weeks |
| Preparing Decision Letter | Draft letter built with reasons and payments. | Days |
| Final Review | Senior reviewer checks and signs the decision. | Few days to a few weeks |
| Claim Decided | Letter posts in the VA status tool. | Same day to several days |
| Mail Delivery | Paper copy sent to your mailing location. | About 10 business days |
VA’s public tracker listed an average of 94.8 days to complete disability claims in August 2025. That figure spans the whole file, from receipt through the final check and release of the letter, and it shifts with volume and evidence needs. The slice we call final review lives at the tail end of that span.
What “Final Review” Looks Like Inside The System
In the claim status flow, the steps near the finish line follow a clear order: rating, preparing the decision letter, final review by a senior reviewer, and then decision posted. If anything triggers a question at this point, the file can jump back to evidence review or even evidence gathering. That bounce is normal when new records show up or a required exam still needs to clear.
Think of the final check as quality control. The reviewer confirms the selected codes, combined rating math, effective dates, and payment start date. The letter must reflect those figures and cite the evidence used. If a correction is needed, the draft goes back to the prior step, then returns for another pass.
Factors That Stretch Or Shorten The Wait
Evidence Traffic
Late uploads can help the record but they also reset review. Submitting a new nexus letter or private treatment records after rating may trigger a return to evidence review. That keeps the final sign-off fair, but it adds days.
Exam Scheduling And Results
If a C&P exam is still pending, the senior reviewer cannot close the file. Once the exam posts and the rater reads it, the claim can move back toward sign-off.
Informal Conference Choice On Review
If you request a Higher-Level Review later and choose an informal conference, plan for extra time on that track. VA states the goal is about 125 days for that lane, and calls can add days to the queue.
Volume At The Regional Office
Some offices carry heavier caseloads. That can slow the quality check stage during peak periods. National spikes, new presumptives, or large evidence uploads across many files can also create short delays.
How To Read The Status Words
VA pages describe the last steps with plain labels. “Rating” means a decision on service connection and the percent. “Preparing decision letter” means a draft packet is being built. “Final review” means a senior reviewer is checking the decision and the letter. “Claim decided” means the letter is posted in your online status tool and a paper copy is on the way.
You can confirm those labels and the monthly average on VA’s site. The same area also lists tips for waiting, like showing up for any scheduled exam and checking messages in your online account.
What To Do While You Wait At The Finish Line
Check For Letters Or Tasks
Open every letter and message. If VA asks for a form, a signature, or an exam, handle it fast. Fast responses prevent a bounce back to evidence gathering.
Hold New Evidence Unless Asked
Once the file sits with the senior reviewer, new documents often push the claim back to evidence review. If the letter arrives and you still disagree, you can add new evidence in a Supplemental Claim.
Set Up Direct Deposit And Watch For The Rating
Once the letter posts, payments follow the effective date shown in the packet. Direct deposit keeps that smooth.
Decision Review Paths If You Disagree
When the decision posts, you have three lanes under the modern review system. A Supplemental Claim lets you add new and relevant evidence. A Higher-Level Review asks a senior reviewer to check for an error with no new evidence. A Board Appeal sends the case to a Veterans Law Judge. Each lane has its own timeline.
| Review Lane | What Moves | Typical Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Claim | New and relevant evidence added. | Around two to four months on average (goal 125 days) |
| Higher-Level Review | Senior reviewer checks for error, no new evidence. | Goal near four to five months; some take longer |
| Board Appeal | Judge review by selected docket. | Often a year or more, based on docket choice |
Ways To Keep Final Review Moving
Send A Clean Package Up Front
Files that reach rating with a full set of service records, treatment notes, and a sound nexus tend to wrap sooner. If a private doctor wrote your opinion, include clear rationale and references. Label uploads with dates and sources so a rater can find them fast.
Avoid Missed Exams
Missed exams can stall a claim or lead to a denial. If you cannot attend, call the number on the notice to reschedule.
Keep Your Contact Details Current
Log in and check your mailing info, phone, and bank info. Bad contact details can delay letters or payments after release.
Use Accredited Help When Needed
An accredited VSO, agent, or attorney can review your file and point out gaps. Many help with uploads and status questions.
Realistic Expectations By Scenario
Single Issue, Clear Evidence
These files can move from rating to a posted letter inside a week. A short final review window is common when nothing new lands in the file.
Multi-Issue Claim With Mixed Evidence
Expect a wider range. The draft may need edits for combined rating math or effective dates. Final review can take a couple weeks while checks finish.
Late Evidence Upload
If you upload new records while the letter is being prepared or checked, the system often routes the file back to evidence review. That adds time but helps accuracy.
Exam Addendum Needed
Sometimes the rater asks a VA examiner for an addendum. Until that addendum posts, final review waits. Once posted and read, the claim can move again.
How Long Mail Takes After The Decision Posts
VA states that the paper copy of your letter should arrive in about 10 business days, though mail speed varies by location. Your online account usually shows the letter sooner than the mailbox. Many Veterans can view and download the letter in the status tool first, which helps when a deadline is near or you need to share proof with an employer. Keep a PDF for your records.
Where The Numbers Come From
For monthly averages on claim completion time, VA posts a current figure on its “after you file” page. That page also outlines each step, including the final check and release of the letter. For review lanes, VA lists targets and current averages on the Higher-Level Review and Supplemental Claim pages, and the Board shares a wait-times page that explains docket factors.
Quick Answers To Common Timing Questions
What If My Status Sits On Final Review For Weeks?
Check for pending exams or recent uploads. If nothing is pending and the status holds beyond a month, call VA or message through your account to ask if anything is needed.
Can Final Review Go Backward?
Yes. New evidence, a missed exam, or a fix needed in the draft can send the file to an earlier step. That is normal and does not predict the outcome.
When Do Payments Start?
Payments start from the effective date shown in your letter. Direct deposit usually lands on the next cycle after the rating posts.
Sample Timeline From Filing To Decision Release
Here is a plain model that many claimants recognize. Weeks 0–2: claim received and set up. Weeks 2–8: evidence gathering, to include record pulls and any claim exam request. Weeks 8–12: rating step, plus any quick evidence checks. Weeks 12–13: draft letter built. Weeks 13–14: senior reviewer checks the draft. Week 14: decision posts in the online tool. Days 3–10 after posting: paper letter arrives. Real files vary, and each handoff can move faster or slower based on exams, record speed, and workload…
If you plan to seek a review after reading your letter, pick the lane that fits your situation and timeline. New evidence fits a Supplemental Claim. A pure error claim fits a Higher-Level Review. If you want a judge to review the record, use a Board Appeal. Each choice sets a new clock and none of those clocks start until the first decision posts.