Your claim can go from any step to back a step depending on the specifics of the claim so that you may go from Pending Decision Approval back to Review of Evidence. VA.gov status is helpful but not definitive.
VA Claims Status
Your VA claim status indicates the current stage of your claim in the review process. It allows you to stay informed and updated on the progress of your claim. Below are the VA claims status messages you may see and their definition.
Source: VA.gov
VA Disability Claim Status - Initial Claim
VA Claim Status | Meaning |
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Claims received | We received your claim. We haven’t assigned the claim to a reviewer yet. |
Initial review | We assigned your claim to a reviewer. The reviewer will determine if we need any more information from you. |
Evidence gathering, review, and decision | We’re getting evidence from you, your healthcare providers, government agencies, and other sources. We’ll review the evidence and make a decision. |
Preparation for notification | We’ve made a decision on your claim. We’re getting your decision letter ready to mail to you. |
Complete | We’ve sent you a decision letter by U.S. mail. This letter includes details about how we made the decision on your claim. |
VA Supplemental Claim Status
Supplemental Claim Status | What it means |
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A reviewer is examining your new evidence | We received your Supplemental Claim and assigned it to a reviewer. They will determine if we need any more information from you. |
We made a decision. | We sent you our decision on your Supplemental Claim. |
Your Supplemental Claim was closed. | We closed your Supplemental Claim. This may be because you didn’t take an action VA requested. |
VA Higher-Level Review Status
Higher-Level Review Status | What it means |
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A higher-level reviewer is reviewing your case | We received your request for a Higher-Level Review and assigned it to a higher-level reviewer. They will determine if we need any more information from you. |
We are correcting an error. | The higher-level reviewer found an error that must be corrected before they decide your case. We’ll contact you if we need more information. |
We made a decision. | We sent you our decision on your Higher-Level Review. |
Your Higher-Level Review was closed. | We closed your Higher-Level Review. This may be because you didn’t take an action VA requested. |
Board of Veterans Appeals Status
Status | What it means |
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You’re waiting for your hearing to be scheduled | We received your request for a hearing but haven’t scheduled it yet. |
Your hearing has been scheduled. |
We’ve scheduled your hearing. You’ll receive the hearing information by mail. You can also find information about your hearing in the claim status tool. Check your VA claim status. |
Your appeal is waiting to be sent to a judge. | Your appeal is at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. We haven't assigned it to a Veterans Law Judge yet. |
Your appeal is with your Veterans Service Organization | Your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is reviewing your appeal to prepare additional arguments to support your case. |
A judge is reviewing your appeal. | A Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is reviewing your appeal. |
The judge is seeking more information before making a decision | The judge is getting more evidence or an outside opinion from a legal, medical, or other professional. This additional information will help them make a decision about your appeal. |
The Board is waiting until a higher court makes a decision | A higher court is reviewing a group of appeals. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is waiting for their decision because it may affect your appeal. |
The Board made a decision on your appeal. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. |
Your appeal was merged. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals merged your appeal with one of your older appeals that was closer to receiving a Board decision. The Board merges appeals so that you can receive a single decision on as many appeals as possible. |
Your appeals file is open for new evidence. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is holding your case open for new evidence for 90 days. |
We corrected an error |
A judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals either: Found an error and had it corrected, or Made a decision that changes your disability rating or eligibility for benefits We sent you a corrected decision. |
The Board made a decision on your appeal | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. |
We granted your appeal | We decided to overturn the original decision. |
You withdrew your appeal | You told us not to continue your appeal. |
Your Motion for Reconsideration was denied | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals decided not to reopen your appeal. |
The appeal was closed. | VA records show that the Veteran filing the appeal is deceased, so we closed this appeal. |
Your appeal was closed. | We dismissed or closed your appeal. Please contact your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or representative for more information. |
Legacy VA Appeal Status
Status | What it means |
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A Decision Review Officer is reviewing your appeal | We received your Notice of Disagreement and assigned your appeal to a Decision Review Officer. They will determine if we need any more information from you. |
Please review your Statement of the Case. |
We sent you a Statement of the Case (SOC) that explains why we can’t grant your appeal. To continue your appeal, you have 60 days to take one of these actions: Submit VA Form 9 to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, or Opt into the decision review process |
The Decision Review Officer is finishing their review of your appeal | We received your VA Form 9. The Decision Review Officer is reviewing all the evidence in your appeal. |
Please review your Supplemental Statement of the Case |
We sent you a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) because: New evidence was added to your case, or We’re requesting more evidence, or We can’t grant your full appeal |
You’re waiting for your hearing to be scheduled | We received your request for a hearing but haven’t scheduled it yet. |
Your hearing has been scheduled. |
We’ve scheduled your hearing. You’ll receive the hearing information by mail. You can also find information about your hearing in the claim status tool. Check your VA claim status. |
Your appeal is waiting to be sent to a judge. | Your appeal is at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. We haven't assigned it to a Veterans Law Judge yet. |
Your appeal is with your Veterans Service Organization | Your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is reviewing your appeal to prepare additional arguments to support your case. |
A judge is reviewing your appeal. | A Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is reviewing your appeal. |
The judge is seeking more information before making a decision | The judge is getting more evidence or an outside opinion from a legal, medical, or other professional. This additional information will help them make a decision about your appeal. |
The Board is waiting until a higher court makes a decision | A higher court is reviewing a group of appeals. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is waiting for their decision because it may affect your appeal. |
The Board made a decision on your appeal. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. |
Your appeal was merged. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals merged your appeal with one of your older appeals that was closer to receiving a Board decision. The Board merges appeals so that you can receive a single decision on as many appeals as possible. |
You requested a decision review under the Appeals Modernization Act | You asked to continue your appeal through the decision review process. |
Your appeals file is open for new evidence. | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is holding your case open for new evidence for 90 days. |
We corrected an error |
A judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals either: Found an error and had it corrected, or Made a decision that changes your disability rating or eligibility for benefits We sent you a corrected decision. |
The Board made a decision on your appeal | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. |
We granted your appeal | We decided to overturn the original decision. |
You withdrew your appeal | You told us not to continue your appeal. |
Your Motion for Reconsideration was denied | The Board of Veterans’ Appeals decided not to reopen your appeal. |
The appeal was closed. | VA records show that the Veteran filing the appeal is deceased, so we closed this appeal. |
Your appeal was closed. | We dismissed or closed your appeal. Please get in touch with your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or representative for more information. |