How long does a BVA decision take?

The Veterans Benefits Administration usually takes 12-18 months to review new appeals and decide whether to grant some or all of the appeal.

What is the average wait time for a VA appeal?

After the filing of an NOD, a veteran’s VA disability claim moves to the VA regional office’s appeals section, and will now be handled by a Decision Review Officer or DRO. According to VA statistics, the wait time from the filing of an NOD (Notice of Disagreement) to receiving a DRO decision is 12-18 months.

How long does it take a VA judge to make a decision after hearing?

Generally, the veterans law judge will wait a least 90 days after the hearing to provide their decision. This allows time for submission of any additional evidence if the veteran chooses to do so.

What happens after a BVA decision?

Upheld Decisions BVA decisions may also be remanded, upheld or overturned by the CAVC. Veterans may continue to appeal at the Federal Circuit Court or even petition for the case to be reviewed by the Supreme Court. While a lawyer is not required for CAVC cases, veterans can benefit from bringing legal experts on.

How long does VA preparation for decision take 2021?

As of November 2021, the average Fully Developed Claim took 107.4 days to complete and issue the veteran a VA rating decision while the average Standard Claim took 129.4 days. As of March 2021, the average Fully Developed Claim (FDC) took 118.4 days from start to finish.

How successful are VA appeals?

In 2018, the percentage of appeals approved with an attorney was 44.61%, while only 27.22% of appeals were approved with no representative. In 2019, 46.31% of appeals were approved with an attorney, while only 26.18% were approved with no representative.

What happens after VA appeal is granted?

When the BVA overturns a decision, the veteran will be granted their request for benefits. This is a final decision on the matter, and benefits may no longer be denied. Often the decision is a remand by the BVA.

Is a remand from BVA a good thing?

Receiving a remand from the BVA is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the Board has not denied your claim(s), allowing you to continue to proceed with your case. A “remand” means that your case needs to go back for something specific to be done to better explain/support your claim. That can be useful for you.

How long does it take to get a BVA decision?

This means that it could take up to 18 months to get an initial decision on even a straightforward and well proved claim for benefits. If your claim has been denied (or partially/incorrectly granted) and you filed a Notice of Disagreement, then you could be waiting anywhere from 3-8 years to get a BVA Decision.

How long does the VA appeals process take?

Generally, the VA appeals process takes 18-24 months, but this depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your claim and the regional office you are working with. The regional offices don’t work on the same timelines and while some will work quickly, others are much slower.

What are the steps in the VA appeal process?

The first step in the appeal process is for a claimant to file a written appeal with the local VA regional office or medical center that made the decision. The VA says you must file an appeal on a VA Form 21-0598 (Notice of Disagreement).

Can You appeal BVA remand to the Veterans Court?

The remand means that the Court has issued its final decision, and the case has been closed at the Court. After the BVA issues a new decision pursuant to the Court’s remand, that new BVA final decision is appealable to the Court if you disagree with any aspect of it.