How Long Does a VA Supplemental Claim Take?

As of January 2026, the average time to complete a supplemental claim for VA disability or pension was 68 days. That’s far below the VA’s stated target of 125 days or less. Of course, every claim is different. The amount of time it takes VA to review your supplemental disability claim will vary depending on the specifics of the claim, the evidence you submit with the claim, and the time it takes VA to collect evidence required to decide on your claim.

The thoroughness and accuracy of your supplemental claim will help determine not only the timeline for completion but also the likelihood of success. The best way to ensure that you are filing the right type of claim and providing the evidence the VA needs to approve your claim is to work with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate from the start. 

Is a Supplemental Claim Right for You? 

One important aspect of keeping your VA disability claim moving forward smoothly is to make sure you’re filing the right type of claim. You can generally file a supplemental claim if the VA has made a decision on your claim and either: 

• You have “new and relevant” evidence to submit, or
• Your supplemental claim is based on a change in the law

Of course, determining whether you meet these requirements depends on knowledge of the specifics, such as what is considered new and relevant evidence. And not everyone who is eligible to file a supplemental claim should. In some situations, it may be more beneficial to pursue Higher-Level Review or a Board Appeal. Our experienced VA disability benefits advocates can help you make that determination.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Preparing and Submitting Your Supplemental Claim

When you decide to file a supplemental claim for VA disability, you’ll want to factor in some time to prepare your claim. The 68-day average mentioned above is from the date the VA receives your claim, but you’ll need to gather some evidence before you submit.

The key parts of most supplemental claims for VA disability include: 

• VA Form 20-0995, required to initiate a supplemental claim. Make sure this form is complete, clear, and accurate–mistakes or omissions can delay your claim. 
• New medical evidence. Remember that a supplemental claim requires new and relevant evidence (unless it is based on a law change). Don’t rely on the same evidence submitted with your initial claim.
• Military service records. The VA can assist you in obtaining this information if necessary, but don’t assume they have everything they need just because it’s part of your service record.
• Supporting statements. Statements may include “buddy statements” from fellow service members who have information about the event that triggered your disability or lay statements from people in your life who can speak to the severity of your medical condition and when it started. 

Note that supporting statements must clearly address specifics that you are trying to establish, such as what a fellow servicemember witnessed when you were injured or the specific medical changes a spouse has seen.

Waiting for a Decision on Your Supplemental Claim

Unless you receive a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs that explicitly requests you to write a letter with more information, you should wait patiently until the claim is resolved. You can monitor the status of your claim on the VA website, but the platform changed in 2025. Your MyHealthEVet credentials will no longer work. Unless you have already done so, you will have to create a new account to access your information online. 

What Happens After Filing the VA Supplemental Claim?

After you file your supplemental claim, you will receive verification that the VA has received your claim. If you file online, that verification appears on your screen after you complete the submission process, and you won’t get additional verification. If you sent in your claim and supporting evidence by mail, you’ll get a confirmation by mail. However, it typically takes about 10 days to receive that confirmation.

After receiving the claim, the VA initially reviews the claim. If the VA determines that they don’t have enough information to make a decision on your claim, they will request additional information. If they don’t require additional evidence to support your claim, they will move on to the next step. However, if the VA determines at any point in the process that they need additional information, the claim may be shifted back to the evidence-gathering stage. When that happens, of course, it will add time to the process and delay your determination.

The last step is preparation for notification, whereby the entire claim decision packet is prepared to be mailed. Before contacting a VA call center, give the package seven to ten business days for it to arrive. Once everything is in order, they will send it through U.S. mail and include the details of the decision on your claim.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form HERE. 

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

The Decision Review Process

A supplemental claim is just one of three options available to a veteran who believes the determination on a VA disability claim was incorrect. After the supplemental claim decision, you have the same three options. You may: 

• Request Higher-Level Review
• File a Board Appeal
• File another supplemental claim (only if you have new and relevant information not submitted with your original supplemental claim).

At Disabled Vets, our advocates have extensive knowledge of and experience with the VA disability claims process, including supplemental claims and appeals. They can help you determine the best next steps at every stage of the process, and help ensure that your claim or appeal package is as thorough and persuasive as possible. 

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Talk to a VA Disability Benefits Advocate Before You Take Your Next Step

The supplemental claim decision review process can be complicated if you are not familiar with the process, the types of evidence required, and how to obtain that evidence and organize your claim package. Your VA disability benefits advocate can make that process less stressful and more efficient by guiding you through the process and explaining: 

• The differences between types of appeals and which may be most beneficial for you
• How to complete the supplemental claim form thoroughly and accurately
• What types of evidence are typically required to establish claims like yours, and how to collect it

While there’s no difference in the way supplemental claims are treated when they are submitted with an advocate versus on your own, ensuring that you have provided all necessary information to allow the VA to make a decision on your claim can speed up the process by avoiding additional evidence-gathering periods.

Call today 1-888-373-4722to learn how we can help with your supplemental claim or any other VA disability claim or appeal.

Read More Here:

• Types Of VA Disabilities
• VA Disability Compensation Rates
• What Is TDIU and How Can I Get It?
• Can My Spouse Receive My VA Disability After I Die?
• The Easiest Way to a 100% VA Disability Rating
• VA Benefits For Spouses of 100% Disabled Veterans
• SSDI For Veterans

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form