VA Claim Step 6: How Long Does the ‘Decision Letter’ Stage Take?

In this post, we’ll explain exactly what happens during Step 6, how long you can expect it to take, and what comes next in the VA claim process.

What is Step 6: Preparing Decision Letter?

According to the VA’s official description, Step 6 is when: “We’re preparing your decision letter.”

This step begins right after a rating specialist has made a decision on your claim in Step 5 (“Rating”). In Step 6, a VA employee (often a Veteran Service Representative or VSR) takes that rating decision and formally prepares the official notification packet.

This packet includes your decision letter, which will detail:

• Whether your claimed conditions were granted or denied.
• The disability rating assigned to each granted condition.
• The effective date for your benefits.
• The total amount of your monthly compensation and any back pay.
• The evidence and reasoning the VA used to make its decision.

This is a documentation-heavy phase where the VA ensures the final letter is clear, complete, and accurately reflects the rating decision.

How long does Step 6: Preparing Decision Letter usually take?

Step 6 is one of the shorter and more predictable stages of the VA claim process. For most claims, this stage lasts between seven and 14 days.

Once a claim reaches this point, it typically moves forward without significant delays, as the core decision-making work has already been completed.

Can Step 6 be delayed?

While it’s less common than in other stages, a few things can slow down Step 6:

• Complex claims: If your claim involves many different conditions, special circumstances (like Special Monthly Compensation), or complicated back pay calculations, it will take the VSR longer to draft a comprehensive and accurate letter.
• Errors found in the rating: If the VSR preparing the letter discovers an error or inconsistency in the rating decision from Step 5, they may need to send the file back for correction. This is essentially a quality control check.
• VA Regional Office (VARO) Workload: The current caseload at the VA office handling your claim can always be a factor in processing times.

What can I do while my Claim is in Step 6?

During this stage, the process is entirely internal to the VA. There is nothing you need to do, but there are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Monitor your claim status: Continue to check your claim status on VA.gov. The next and final steps are “Final Review” and “Claim Decided.”
2. Carefully consider submitting new evidence: Submitting new evidence now will likely stop the process and send your claim back to Step 3 (“Evidence Gathering”). While there are rare exceptions, it’s generally best to wait for the decision and then file a supplemental claim if the new evidence is needed.
3. Check your bank account information: Since a decision is imminent, now is a good time to log into your VA.gov profile and ensure your direct deposit information is correct. This will help you get any potential back pay as quickly as possible.

What are the final steps after Step 6?

Once your decision letter is prepared, your claim moves through the final two quality checks before it’s sent to you:

• Step 7: Final review: A senior reviewer does a final quality check of both the rating decision and the letter to ensure accuracy.
• Step 8: Claim decided: The VA mails your decision packet, and the letter is made available for you to download online.

The Bottom Line

Step 6, “Preparing Decision Letter,” is a clear sign that a decision has been made on your claim, and you are just a few weeks away from receiving it. This stage typically takes seven to 14 days. The best thing you can do now is be patient and ensure your contact and banking information with the VA is up to date.

If You Disagree With the VA’s Decision, We Can Help.

Receiving a VA decision can be a relief, but sometimes the outcome is a denial or a lower rating than you deserve. If you disagree with the VA’s final decision, you have the right to appeal. The team at Cameron Firm, PC, is dedicated to helping veterans navigate the appeals process. Contact us today for a free consultation to understand your options.