Introduction
You’ve done everything right. You filed your VA disability claim, submitted all your evidence, completed your C&P exam, and waited patiently as your claim crawled through the various stages. Now you’ve reached Step 6—Pending Decision Approval. For many veterans, this phase sparks new hope and anxiety all at once. You’re close to the finish line, but you still don’t have an answer. So naturally, the question becomes: how long does Step 6 of a VA claim take?
In this blog, we’ll break down what really happens in Step 6, why it matters, how long it usually lasts, and what you should do if things get stuck. If you’re sitting in this stage and hitting refresh on VA.gov multiple times a day, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help you understand what’s going on.
What Is Step 6 in the VA Claim Process?
To put things in context, Step 6 is one of the final phases in the eight-step VA disability claim process. Here’s a quick recap of the full journey:
Claim Received
Under Review
Gathering of Evidence
Review of Evidence
Preparation for Decision
Pending Decision Approval
Preparation for Notification
Complete
By the time your claim reaches Step 6, the heavy lifting has mostly been done. In Step 5, a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) evaluated your evidence and drafted a recommended decision. Now, in Step 6, that recommendation is passed up the chain for review and approval by a senior reviewer or supervisor.
It’s the VA’s version of quality control—a second set of eyes to ensure everything is accurate, complete, and fairly rated before the final decision is made and sent your way.
What Happens Behind the Scenes?
Even though it may look like your claim is “just sitting” at Step 6, several actions may be taking place:
The senior reviewer is verifying rating percentages and legal compliance.
They’re checking to ensure the proper diagnostic codes were applied.
In multi-condition claims, they’re reviewing how combined ratings were calculated.
If there’s a question or discrepancy, the file may be sent back to the RVSR for revision or clarification.
In some cases, a supervisor may refer the case to Quality Review (QR), a specialized department within the VA that randomly audits claims for accuracy. If that happens, you may experience additional delays—but it doesn’t mean something’s wrong.
So, How Long Does Step 6 Usually Take?
On average, Step 6 takes between 2 and 14 business days. That said, a variety of factors can shorten or extend this window.
Fast Turnaround (2–5 days):
The claim is straightforward with no complicated rating calculations.
The RVSR’s proposal is clear, well-supported, and error-free.
Your claim involves only one or two conditions with direct service connection.
Average Case (7–14 days):
The claim includes multiple conditions or moderate complexity.
The proposal includes special considerations like secondary service connections or presumptive illnesses.
Reviewers are balancing high caseloads, causing minor delays.
Delayed Review (15+ days):
Your claim was flagged for Quality Review.
The proposal includes inconsistencies or borderline decisions that require clarification.
There are regional office backlogs or staffing shortages.
It’s important to note that Step 6, while close to the end, is not the last step. Even once your claim clears this stage, there are still two more phases—notification prep and final completion.
What Can Slow Down Step 6?
Here are some common causes for extended delays during this phase:
High Complexity: Claims involving PTSD, TDIU (unemployability), or multiple secondary conditions often take longer.
Combined Rating Errors: If there’s a mistake in how your percentages were combined, the claim may be sent back for recalculation.
Missing Internal Documentation: If the reviewer finds missing justification, they may halt the approval process until it’s resolved.
Workload Surges: If the regional office handling your case is understaffed or experiencing high volume, Step 6 may take longer through no fault of your own.
In rare cases, claims sit in Step 6 for 30 days or more, which may indicate a procedural hold or reassessment initiated internally.
A Real-World Example
Consider the experience of a Navy veteran who filed for bilateral knee pain and sleep apnea. After waiting four months, his claim reached Step 5 and stayed there for just 9 days. Once in Step 6, things slowed down. It remained “Pending Decision Approval” for 18 business days.
He called the VA hotline and was told his claim was undergoing a second-level review due to an unusual secondary connection (sleep apnea secondary to PTSD). One week later, the claim moved to Step 7 and was finalized shortly after.
This example illustrates that Step 6 isn’t just a formality—it’s where critical judgments are double-checked, and nuanced claims may face extra scrutiny.
How to Monitor Progress
You can track your claim’s status using:
VA.gov: The most current and user-friendly platform for updates.
eBenefits: Still operational but often lags behind VA.gov.
VSO Assistance: A Veteran Service Officer can access internal notes and offer insight that VA.gov might not show.
VA Hotline: Call 1-800-827-1000 to speak with a representative.
Check your claim no more than once or twice a week. Obsessive refreshing can create unnecessary stress—especially since updates may only occur every few business days.
What If Step 6 Takes Too Long?
If your claim has been stuck in Step 6 for more than 21 business days, and you haven’t received a new update, it may be time to act.
Here’s what you can do:
Call the VA and request an internal review of your claim’s status.
Reach out to your VSO and ask if they can check for internal flags or comments.
Submit an IRIS inquiry through ask.va.gov.
Request Congressional assistance if the delay is severely impacting your benefits access, especially in cases of financial hardship or health crises.
Most delays can be resolved with minimal escalation. But staying proactive can sometimes shake loose a stuck file.
What to Expect Next
Once Step 6 is completed, your claim will move into:
Step 7 – Preparation for Notification: This is when your decision letter is created, and payment details are calculated.
Step 8 – Complete: The letter is sent (both digitally and by mail), and your claim status is finalized.
Most veterans receive a decision letter within 7–10 days of exiting Step 6, and many receive their first compensation payment within 2 to 4 weeks after final approval.
Final Thoughts
Step 6 may feel like the last big hurdle in your VA claim journey—and in many ways, it is. But while this phase tends to be shorter than the evidence-gathering and decision-writing stages, it still requires diligence and patience.
If you’re sitting in “Pending Decision Approval,” know that your claim is being reviewed with care. It’s in the hands of someone tasked with ensuring that your rating is fair, accurate, and aligned with VA regulations. And once it clears this checkpoint, you’re just days away from the resolution you’ve worked so hard for.
So check in, stay calm, and keep advocating. The finish line is closer than it feels.
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