Introduction
You’ve filed your VA disability claim. Weeks have passed—maybe even months. You check your status on VA.gov religiously, hoping to see signs of progress. But the same phrase stares back at you: “Review of Evidence” or “Preparation for Decision.” No new uploads. No emails. No clear answers.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Veterans across the country often feel stuck in a fog of uncertainty, asking themselves: Is the VA actually doing anything with my claim right now?
In this guide, we’ll help you crack that code. You’ll learn what’s happening behind the scenes (even when the status doesn’t change), how to interpret real activity versus delays, and what actions you can take to stay informed without losing your mind.
Understanding the Claim Status Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
The VA’s claim tracker is helpful—but also limited. It shows your claim’s current phase out of eight, including:
Claim Received
Under Review
Gathering of Evidence
Review of Evidence
Preparation for Decision
Pending Decision Approval
Preparation for Notification
Complete
What it doesn’t show is everything happening behind the scenes. For example, a claim can sit in “Review of Evidence” for weeks while the VA examiner is reviewing hundreds of pages of medical records. Similarly, “Preparation for Decision” may last longer if a rater has flagged the claim for additional internal review.
So if you haven’t seen your status change lately, it doesn’t necessarily mean nothing is happening.
Signs the VA Is Actively Working on Your Claim
Even without a visible status update, there are clues that your file is moving:
1. New Documents Appear in Your VA.gov File
When a VA claims processor uploads something like:
A C&P exam report
Internal decision drafts
Service treatment records from archives
…it’s a good sign that someone is actively handling your claim.
2. You’re Contacted for More Information
Whether it’s a phone call, a letter requesting a statement, or a request for a signed release form (21-4142), any contact from the VA means they’re touching your file.
3. Your VSO Reports Movement
Veteran Service Officers often have access to internal systems that show notes or movement not visible in your VA.gov account. A VSO might be able to confirm that your file has moved to a rater or that a second-level review is underway.
4. C&P Exams Are Scheduled or Completed
This is one of the strongest indicators that your claim is actively being reviewed. The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam process only begins when your claim has moved beyond basic intake.
Signs Your Claim May Be Sitting Idle
On the flip side, there are also signals that your claim might be stalled:
Your claim has shown no document uploads or phase changes for over 30–45 days
You’ve received no communication from the VA since your C&P exam
The estimated decision date keeps being pushed further out with no explanation
You’ve submitted evidence, but it hasn’t been marked as received
In these cases, it may be time to take action and investigate what’s causing the delay.
How to Investigate Without Escalating (Too Soon)
You don’t want to file a congressional inquiry after two weeks of silence. But you also shouldn’t wait six months hoping for the best. Here’s a strategic approach:
✅ Step 1: Wait 30 Days
It’s common for a claim to sit for 30 days without visible movement—especially during Step 4 or Step 5. If it’s been less than that, give it some breathing room.
✅ Step 2: Call the VA
Dial 1-800-827-1000 and speak with a rep. Ask:
“Can you see if any internal notes have been added?”
“Is my file currently assigned to a rater?”
“Have there been any Quality Review holds or flags?”
Take notes on what they tell you.
✅ Step 3: Contact Your VSO
Your VSO can access Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) entries and may spot issues that are causing delays. They can also help communicate directly with the VA.
✅ Step 4: Submit an IRIS Inquiry
Use ask.va.gov to file a written status request. This creates a paper trail and can sometimes prompt a manual review of your file.
When to Escalate
If your claim hasn’t moved in over 60 days, and no evidence is pending, consider more direct action:
Request a VSO escalation
File a Congressional Inquiry through your Senator or Representative’s office
Contact a VA-accredited attorney if your delay seems procedural or discriminatory
These steps should be used sparingly—but they can be powerful when your claim has been overlooked.
What NOT to Do While Waiting
It’s easy to feel helpless while waiting for updates, but certain actions can backfire:
Don’t resubmit documents unnecessarily – This can trigger a restart of the evidence-gathering phase.
Don’t open a new claim on the same issue – It may delay your original claim or create confusion.
Don’t miss C&P appointments or deadlines – Failing to respond to VA outreach is one of the biggest reasons claims get denied or delayed.
A Real-World Example
An Army veteran filed a claim for back pain and migraines. After completing a C&P exam, the claim entered Step 5—Preparation for Decision—and then… nothing.
Three weeks passed. Then five.
The veteran called the VA and learned the rater had sent the file to a senior reviewer for a second opinion. No movement showed on VA.gov, but behind the scenes, his file was active. Two weeks later, he received a favorable decision.
The lesson? Just because you don’t see movement doesn’t mean there isn’t any.
Final Thoughts
It’s one thing to track your VA claim. It’s another to truly understand whether it’s progressing.
By learning to read the signs—new uploads, C&P exams, document requests—you can avoid the frustration that comes from staring at a stagnant screen. And if things do slow down for too long, you now know the steps to take to nudge your claim forward.
Stay patient, stay informed, and remember: just because the system is slow doesn’t mean it’s ignoring you. Your persistence matters—and it can make all the difference.
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