Waiting to hear back from a VA appeal after your claim was denied can be excruciating. You may wonder how long the VA normally takes to respond to appeals. While the answer can vary wildly depending on several factors about your case, the typical appeal process takes between six and eighteen months.
The Veterans Affairs agency is notoriously slow about processing appeals, but you can give yourself a better chance of a quicker response by recruiting the help of a veterans’ lawyer. Hiring our legal team ensures that you have a strong ally in your corner regarding any legal needs regarding your VA claim. Contact us today to see how we can help.
What Deadlines Are There for VA Claims?
When your VA claim is denied, there are a few deadlines you should be aware of when it comes to appealing the denial. For example, veterans must file their Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the VA’s response to their claim. The VA will then issue an explanation as to the denial in a Statement of the Case (SOC), after which the individual must file an appeal within 60 days. If this denial is not approved, there are other avenues we can try to get your claim appealed.
It is important to note that while the person appealing the denial must respond within the set time limit, the VA is not bound to respond within any deadlines. This can make the process painfully slow, but having a lawyer on your side will help reduce the stress of filing your responses efficiently and promptly.
Does the Type of VA Claim Matter When It Comes to the Timeline?
The VA processes thousands of claims annually, and according to recent US Census data, over a third of those are appeals. This gives an idea of the high rate of mistakes made when processing veterans’ claims! Because of the many appeals the agency faces, the process can seem quite slow. However, this depends on what kind of claim you are filing.
If your claim is simple, with just one or two injuries or disabilities that are easy to prove, your claim may be returned quickly. However, complex cases with multiple claims might take longer to process.
Can Hiring an Attorney Reduce the Wait Time for My VA Claim?
When facing the VA appeal process, you could easily feel overwhelmed or frustrated by all the red tape and delays. One of the best decisions you can make is to reach out to a trusted lawyer for help.
At our law firm, we know how to quickly and efficiently apply for appeals to the VA, so you get results faster. We are also very thorough in getting all the documents the VA will need, so you have less chance of another denial. Our veterans’ lawyer has gone through this process many times, including as a veteran himself. He has received several awards for his excellent legal skills and will be able to help you, so give us a call today at (612) 888-9567.