A veteran pursuing a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported an unusual request during what is typically the final review stage of the process, raising questions about evolving verification procedures. The veteran, who requested anonymity, stated they were contacted by the VA and asked to re-verify information previously submitted.
The final review, designated as Step 7 in the VA’s claims process, is generally a brief quality check before a claim is finalized. According to veteranappeal.com, this stage typically lasts between one and two weeks. However, the request for additional verification suggests a potential shift in protocol, or a more rigorous approach to claim adjudication.
The VA has recently experienced a significant reduction in claims processing times. Tucker Disability Law reported in July 2025 that the average disability claim took 107.4 days, a substantial decrease from the 200+ day wait times experienced in prior years. This improvement is attributed to expanded examination capacity and the digitization of federal records, allowing raters immediate access to military service records. The firm noted that claims with attorney assistance averaged 128.5 days, even as online applications took 136 days.
While processing times have decreased, the VA continues to refine its procedures. Benefits.com reports that a fully developed claim – one where the claimant provides all relevant medical records – currently takes approximately 93 days, compared to 141 days in 2018. A standard claim, where the VA gathers the documentation, takes 101 days. Supplemental claims are currently being processed in an average of 92.5 days, below the VA’s goal of 125 days.
The veteran’s experience of being asked to re-verify information during the final review stage is not typical, according to published timelines of the VA claims process. The VA’s website details an eight-step process, culminating in a decision and notification to the applicant. The request for re-verification could indicate a heightened level of scrutiny, particularly given the recent focus on accelerating claim processing.
The VA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the reported verification request or whether this represents a broader policy change. It remains unclear whether this is an isolated incident or a signal of a new procedural step within the final review phase. The veteran’s claim remains in Step 7, pending the resubmission of requested documentation.
