How do I check my VA claim status?

The fastest way is the "Check your claim or appeal status" tool on VA.gov after signing in with Login.gov or ID.me. You can also use the VA: Health and Benefits mobile app, call 1-800-827-1000, or ask your VSO. The tool shows your current phase, what VA has received, and whether it is waiting on anything from you.

What are the 8 steps of a VA claim?

Claim received, Initial review, Evidence gathering, Evidence review, Rating, Preparing decision letter, Final review, and Decision letter available. A claim can move back from Evidence review to Evidence gathering if more evidence is needed — that is a normal part of the process.

How long does step 5 (Rating) take?

It varies widely by claim complexity and VA workload. The Rating phase is where a rater assigns your percentage, and it can be quick or take weeks. VA publishes a current average time-to-complete for the whole claim on VA.gov; treat the phase timing as an estimate, not a guarantee.

Does eBenefits still work for claim status?

No. VA retired eBenefits and moved claim and appeal status to VA.gov. Use the "Check your claim or appeal status" tool on VA.gov (or the mobile app) instead.

My claim went backward a step — is that bad?

No. Claims commonly move from Evidence review back to Evidence gathering when VA orders another exam or needs a record. It is not a denial or a reset of your effective date; it just means VA is still building the file.

How to Check Your VA Claim Status

Track your VA claim, understand what every phase means, and know what to do if it stalls. Here's how to check your status and read the 8 phases of the claim process.

🇺🇸 Built by a veteran, for veterans·100% free — no login, no upsell·Reviewed July 2026

Sources: VA — Check your claim or appeal status, VA — How the claim process works

4 ways to check your claim status

VA.gov (best)

VA mobile app

The "VA: Health and Benefits" app shows the same status on your phone with push updates.

Phone

Call 1-800-827-1000 (VA benefits hotline) if you can’t get online or need a person.

Your VSO

If a free accredited VSO filed your claim, they can pull status and explain it — at no cost.

Using eBenefits? VA retired it and moved claim status to VA.gov. Use the VA.gov claim status tool instead.

The 8 phases of a VA claim, explained

Claim received

VA has your claim in its system. Nothing is required from you yet.

Initial review

VA checks the basics — your identity and that the claim is complete enough to work.

Evidence gatheringmay need action from you

VA collects the records it needs (service, VA, and private medical) and may request more from you. This is usually the longest phase.

Evidence review

VA reviews everything gathered. Claims can bounce back to phase 3 if new evidence is needed — that is normal, not a problem.

Rating

A rater decides the claim and assigns your disability percentage. This is the "step 5" people ask about — length varies with claim complexity.

Preparing decision letter

VA drafts your decision letter with the outcome and any award amounts.

Final review

A senior reviewer checks the decision and letter for accuracy before it is released.

Decision letter available

Done. You can view and download your decision letter from the Claim Status tool. Back pay, if owed, follows.

How long does the whole thing take? It varies by claim type and VA workload. VA posts a live average time-to-complete on VA.gov — check that for the current number rather than trusting a fixed figure. The Evidence gathering phase is usually the longest.

If it stalls:make sure VA isn't waiting on you (phase 3), submit anything requested fast, and if it's stuck, call 1-800-827-1000 or lean on a free VSO. If you get a denial, the denial analyzer decodes it.

Stay organized while you wait. Keep your evidence and deadlines straight with the VA claim tracker, evidence tracker, and deadline tracker. New to claims? Start with Chart Your Claim.

ShareFacebook Reddit X LinkedIn

More free tools

Chart Your Claim

Navigate your VA claim step by step

VA Claim Builder

Build a full, evidence-backed claim step by step

Presumptive Conditions Checker

PACT Act / Agent Orange / burn-pit eligibility

Exposure Checker

Where you served, mapped to presumptives

Denial Letter Analyzer

Decode your VA denial and fix it

Symptom Tracker

Log symptoms for your C&P exam

How to Check Your VA Claim Status

Track your VA claim, understand what every phase means, and know what to do if it stalls. Here's how to check your status and read the 8 phases of the claim process.

🇺🇸 Built by a veteran, for veterans·100% free — no login, no upsell·Reviewed July 2026

Sources: VA — Check your claim or appeal status, VA — How the claim process works

4 ways to check your claim status

VA.gov (best)

VA mobile app

The "VA: Health and Benefits" app shows the same status on your phone with push updates.

Phone

Call 1-800-827-1000 (VA benefits hotline) if you can’t get online or need a person.

Your VSO

If a free accredited VSO filed your claim, they can pull status and explain it — at no cost.

Using eBenefits? VA retired it and moved claim status to VA.gov. Use the VA.gov claim status tool instead.

The 8 phases of a VA claim, explained

Claim received

VA has your claim in its system. Nothing is required from you yet.

Initial review

VA checks the basics — your identity and that the claim is complete enough to work.

Evidence gatheringmay need action from you

VA collects the records it needs (service, VA, and private medical) and may request more from you. This is usually the longest phase.

Evidence review

VA reviews everything gathered. Claims can bounce back to phase 3 if new evidence is needed — that is normal, not a problem.

Rating

A rater decides the claim and assigns your disability percentage. This is the "step 5" people ask about — length varies with claim complexity.

Preparing decision letter

VA drafts your decision letter with the outcome and any award amounts.

Final review

A senior reviewer checks the decision and letter for accuracy before it is released.

Decision letter available

Done. You can view and download your decision letter from the Claim Status tool. Back pay, if owed, follows.

Stay organized while you wait. Keep your evidence and deadlines straight with the VA claim tracker, evidence tracker, and deadline tracker. New to claims? Start with Chart Your Claim.

ShareFacebook Reddit X LinkedIn

More free tools

Chart Your Claim

Navigate your VA claim step by step

VA Claim Builder

Build a full, evidence-backed claim step by step

Presumptive Conditions Checker

PACT Act / Agent Orange / burn-pit eligibility

Exposure Checker

Where you served, mapped to presumptives

Denial Letter Analyzer

Decode your VA denial and fix it

Symptom Tracker

Log symptoms for your C&P exam