Estimated Wait Times

TO PROCESS A CLAIM FOR BENEFITS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS,

YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO WAIT FOR A DECISION IF YOU:

FILE AN ORIGINAL CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION (SERVICE CONECTED) 1 - 7 ISSUES
9 -12 MONTHS

FILE A CLAIM FOR INCREASED COMPENSATION
9-12 MONTHS

FILE AN ORIGINAL CLAIM FOR PENSION (NON SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY)
6-9 MONTHS

FILE AN ORIGINAL CLAIM FOR DEPENDANCY INDEMINITY COMPENSATION

(SERVICE CONNECTED DEATH BENEFIT)

9 MONTHS

FILE AN ORIGINAL CLAIM FOR WIDOW'S PENSION

(NON SERVICE CONNECTED DEATH BENEFIT)

6-8 MONTHS

NOTICE OF DISAGREEMENT / LOCAL HEARINGS
9-12 MONTHS

AT ANY TIME DURING THE PROCESS, YOU MAY REQUEST AN INFORMAL CONFERENCE OR A FORMAL HEARING WITH A DECISION REVIEW OFFICER. A FINAL DECISON ON YOUR APPEAL WILL USUALLY BE MADE IN ONE (1) YEAR. (MANY ARE RESOLVED EARLIER DEPENDING ON ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE NEEDED).

IF YOUR APPEAL IS DENIED LOCALLY AND YOUR CLAIM GOES TO THE BOARD OF VETERAN APPEALS (BVA) IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ONCE YOUR CLAIMS FOLDER IS TRANSFERRED TO THE BVA, YOU CAN EXPECT YOUR CLAIM TO BE FINALIZED IN 1 TO 2 YEARS

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THESE TIMEFRAMES. ONCE YOU HAVE STARTED AN ACTION WITH THE VA, BE PREPARED TO WAIT. THE PROCESS YOUR CLAIM WILL BE GOING THROUGH IS LENGTHY.
DURING THE DEVELOPMENT PHASE OF YOUR CLAIM, ANY INTERRUPTION MAY CAUSE EXTENDING ANY OF THE TIMEFRAMES SHOWN ABOVE.
TELEPHONE CALLS REQUESTING A STATUS REPORT ON A PENDING ISSUE SERVES NO PURPOSE UNTIL A DECISON IS REACHED. YOUR CLAIM WILL BE REPORTED TO YOU AS PENDING, NO DECISION.
ONCE THE VA HAS DECIDED YOUR CLAIM, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE VA INFORMING YOU OF THEIR DECISION.
WE INVITE YOU TO CONTACT US WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE OFFICIAL LETTER AND HAVE QUESTIONS; WE WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR EXPLAIN THE DECISON.

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE

STATE SERVICE OFFICER

P.O. BOX 42938

PHILADELPHIA PA, 19101-2938

(215) 381-3040

TOLL FREE MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

1-800-827-1000 - PROMPT #1 - PROMPT #0 - EXT 61001

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THESE TIMEFRAMES. ONCE YOU HAVE STARTED AN ACTION WITH THE VA, BE PREPARED TO WAIT. THE PROCESS YOUR CLAIM WILL BE GOING THROUGH IS LENGTHY.
DURING THE DEVELOPMENT PHASE OF YOUR CLAIM, ANY INTERRUPTION MAY CAUSE EXTENDING ANY OF THE TIMEFRAMES SHOWN ABOVE.
TELEPHONE CALLS REQUESTING A STATUS REPORT ON A PENDING ISSUE SERVES NO PURPOSE UNTIL A DECISON IS REACHED. YOUR CLAIM WILL BE REPORTED TO YOU AS PENDING, NO DECISION.
ONCE THE VA HAS DECIDED YOUR CLAIM, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE VA INFORMING YOU OF THEIR DECISION.
WE INVITE YOU TO CONTACT US WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE OFFICIAL LETTER AND HAVE QUESTIONS; WE WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR EXPLAIN THE DECISON.