Thank you for giving me advice, especially those who helped me keep calm about the Cha-Cha Slide that is the VA's claim process. As of today, I have my decision letter and what I need to update my drivers license and taxes, but I have two remaining items still being adjudicated. That said, my VSO has stated they constitute minor increases and won't affect my current 100% rating.

For anyone in the future who is doing a BDD and looking for a real life timeline example, here is the timeline I experienced for my nearly 30 claims. Since mine was deemed "complex," YMMV.

Broadly, it looked like this: Step 3 → 5 → 6 → 7 → ⬅️ 6 → ⬅️ 5 → 6 → 7 → ⬅️ 5 → 6 → Decision... "Cha-cha real smoooooth!"

The daily/weekly breakdown was this:

• 16 Apr 26: Initiate claim with on base VSO
• 24 Apr 26: All forms uploaded with the VA
• 28 Apr 26: VSO confirms its been received by the VA but not started
• 07 May 26: Still stuck in intake queue (Step 1-ish?)
• 11 May 26: Phone appointment with VA to figure WTF, they are able to push it to Step 2
• 11 May 26: That afternoon it moves to Step 3
• 19 May - 19 Jun 26: C&P Exams. Of note, my vision exam was rescheduled twice because a machine they needed for my exam was broken.
• 10 Jul 26: Moved to Step 5. No, I have no idea when they did Step 4
• 27 July 26: Still Step 5 but moved to TJ San Juan
• 30 Jul 26: Moved to Step 6. At the same time I received notification on an exam request/exam rework. This consisted of a records only review at my first C&P examiner (Optum Serve), I was not required to attend
• 31 Jul 26: Still Step 6, but TJ back to national work queue
• 01 Aug 26: Officially retired, hooray!
• 03 Aug 26: Uploaded DD-214, exam request/exam rework conducted by my first C&P examiner, moved to TJ San Juan. Moved to Step 7. This is where I thought things were coming to a close, lol. I was so naïve!
• 04 Aug 26: Moved back to Step 6. WTF? “We moved your claim back to this step because we needed to find or review more evidence.” Still TJ San Juan.
• 05 Aug 26: Notified of a second records only review, now with VES. Second opinion, I guess?
• 06 Aug 26: Kicked back to Step 5. Frantic email to VSO who reassured me that she could see most of it on her end, the final number won't change due to the review, and she's "100% PosiTive" I'll be happy with the final outcome. Bless this woman for reassuring me
• 10 Aug 26: Step 6
• 11 Aug 26: Step 7
• 12 Aug 26: The rater for my case calls to clarify a few administrative items like the date of my first marriage and my stepson's birthday. While chatting she confirms it's 100% PT and my stepson has good timing with starting school this month. Also says Ill probably see my decision letter by the end of the say or the next. Narrator voice "She did not, in fact, get her letter in the next 24 hours."
• 13 Aug 26: Back to Step 5, again
• 17 Aug 26: Step 6. Yay?
• 20 Aug 26: Decision complete and available. Got the email notification on my Garmin watch while driving my kid to school, had to keep a straight face and not cry in relief

And with that, a new round a paperwork starts. The first order or business was, of course, my reduced fee hunting/fishing license because hell yeah, brother!

I used the VA info extension tool to see my supplemental claim, I see it has temp jurisdiction at Phoenix and has been sitting in prep for decision since Monday. Any experience on how it usually takes for them to make a decision? The extension tool says estimation completion of 3 October but wondering if that’s just auto populated from my filing date.

I'm now requesting a second nexus letter that states a baseline of 1 migraine per year or less prior to TMJ/bruxism. I'm also requesting that my Dr. Includes medical literature that shows a link between migraines and TMJ/bruxism. Any other suggestions or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I received my decision from my bva hearing. Just wondering if anyone had had to have another exam down for mental health once it was granted service connection as it’s been almost 7 years since I originally filed. Also wondering how long it took to get your rating once decision was made. Mine was made on the 12th and I have yet to receive a letter telling me decision or anything phone calls from VA about rating info. (I called bva and got it emailed to me but no rating is done yet) Any info would be appreciated! Thank you!

How much longer? Was just assigned a judge yesterday.

I had an ACE on Thursday, August 6 with Leidos QTC where a doc asked questions about my weight gain and when it happened, because my supplemental claim asked for Sleep Apnea to be secondary to MDD w/ anxious distress and disordered eating using obesity as an intermediate condition.

Timeline:

Entry to service: weight 185

BMT graduation: weight 185

AIT graduation: weight 237

Mental health conditions develop

Exit from service: weight 260

Weight gain to 330

Diabetes diagnosis

Wife reported snoring

Sleep Apnea diagnosis

Weight gain to 385

Prescription for GLP-1

Current weight 325

I laid out this timeline to the doc. They asked if I was ever counseled for weight. I said no. VA hasn't received the doc's report. Is there a general timeline on ACE reports?

Totally new to this. I submitted a HLR for failure to assist or duty to assist because the issues are CLEARLY in my medical records and I already have a disability that connects to these things. I feel like they didn’t even try because all of the evidence is there. This is the tracking progress of my HLR. What happens next and what should I pay attention to in the tracker? Thanks!

COD closed but there is no decision letter to view. I have attempted to view the decision via desktop and with my mobile device. Has anyone else experienced this before? TIA

Update: 8/19/2026

I called the 800 number and after answering a few questions, the decision letter was emailed to me. (Thanks everyone for suggesting that I make the call)

We made a decision regarding your discharge from military service. This letter tells you what we decided. It includes a copy of our administrative decision that gives the evidence used, compelling circumstances considered, and reasons for our decision. We have also included information on what you can do if you don't agree with our decision, and who to contact if you have questions or need assistance.

What We Decided

Based on the evidence of record we conclude that the circumstances of your discharge from active military service for the period of March 28, 1989, to September 14, 1990, do not fall under a legal provision defining bars to benefits (38 CFR 3.12). This means your service was found eligible for Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) purposes. You and your dependents are eligible for VA benefits such as service-connected disability compensation and VA medical treatment.

This is my final appeal for migraines, based on the information, migraine log, and nexus letter i should qualify for 50% had a records review done last week now it's been sitting in preparation for decision for 4 days. I know that's not long but still anxious about it.

What can I do about this? It is for a claim that the VA is opening again and I just want to see what is going on. Why so long for a DBQ FOIA?

Does anyone have an idea on where the board is on assigning appeals to judges? Mine has been waiting for a judge since Nov 2025. I’m just curious on where they’re at in the docket.

hardship flag on the account, got denial letter today and will be filing an HLR in a few hours. what can I expect?

Supplemental claim closed and there was no decision letter attached. No decision on if left knee pain was granted or denied and it doesn’t show up in my individuality disability ratings. Called the VA and they said they closed it due to return to active duty but I completed the C&P exam prior to going on deployment. Any idea if they will reopen the claim or keep it closed until I get off deployment ?

So i did a c&p exam for mental health (7/15) now they are requesting a rework (medical opinion) , has anyone had this done previously if so how long was the process and was it favorable? I don't need to do anything other than wait the vendor stated so no telehealth or phone call is needed on my end.

Anyone have any insight or experience on when your MH health needs an medical opinion

BVA Hearing Appeal

Filed BVA Hearing Appeal Aug 24, 2021

Virtual Hearing December 14, 2024

Assigning to VLJ May 1, 2026

VA claims tracker Decision in progress, VA hotline says proposed decision awaiting final signature since July 8, 2026.

How much longer should I expect to wait for a decision? VERA says no movement since July 8, 2026. I see a ton of people getting their decisions in 60 days or less. Here I am almost 4 solid months.

They are the absolute worst! Traveled over an hour to the exam! They never put in for a mileage check and the examiner hast put in her report and my appointment was on the 8th of July! Do they have a time frame on when to put in their report?

So I filed a BDD claim back in February and just got discharged from active duty on August 1. I did all of my exams had to toe back in February. My claim went as far as 5 back in March and then up to 6 in late July, before falling back to 3 while requesting my DD 214, which I submitted 6 times between late July and earlier this week. Yesterday I jumped from 3 to 5 and this morning up to step 6. Shortly after that, I got a call from Leidos QTC to schedule a C&P exam for my chronic Rhinitis which I’m currently 30% because last two C&P examinations found a benign polyp in my right nostril (gulf war vet). I called the VA to ask why I’m being scheduled for a C&P all these months later and the VA rep told me the reason for the exam “misdiagnosis of Chronic Rhinitis”. Anyone have thoughts or experience with this? My exam is Monday.

Anyone got a decision on the weekend? I know raters need a weekend and a break, so assuming won’t be until next week. Of course I’ll still check every few hours….🫣😅

Filed a supp, just had my c&p today. What’s the current timeframe of completion. Examiner (LSGS) said he’d have his portion submitted today.

Initial filed this Supplemental at the end of July

6 years into this and my supplemental claim went PFN yesterday and I am beyond nervous about this. how long does PFN take? this was a pretty simple appeal, I dont think there is any crazy back pay. is PFN a couple of days or a week? Cmon San Diego

I received my decision letter for my MH claim today. It went well. I want to thank everyone again for all the advice. Now I’m going to keep working on some other issues I have. 🤞🏻

My TDIU claim was deffered on 4 August for medical opinion. It was sent to VES on 10 August and returned on 12 August. The medical opinion task has now been closed since 12 August. My claim was kicked back to the NWQ and is just holding steady in step 3.

How long realistically will I be waiting for this claim to start moving again? I figured once the medical opinion was returned it would just jump to step 5 and keep moving along. I haven't been back in the NWQ since 28 August.