U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
30 Days for a Decision on Your Next VA Claim
Thinking of filing another VA disability compensation claim? Make sure you file it through the new Decision Ready Claim (DRC) Program. With DRC, you can get a decision on your claim in 30 days or less.
Work with an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to determine if the DRC Program is right for you and your claim. Your VSO can then help you gather and submit all relevant and required evidence so your claim is ready for VA to make a decision when you submit it.
If you plan to file any of the following types of claims, work with your VSO to file them as a DRC:
- Direct Service Connection Claims: Claims for a disability that was caused by or during your service.
- Presumptive Service Connection Claims: Claims for a disability that VA automatically presumes to be service-connected based on unique conditions or situations you experienced during your service.
- Secondary Service Connection Claims: Claims for a disability that you have as a result of another service-connected disability.
- Increased Disability Claims: Claims for a disability you have a VA rating for that has gotten worse.
Not planning to file a claim soon? Spread the word to your fellow Veterans, Service members and their families about the DRC Program to help them get faster decisions on their claims too. The DRC Program also now accepts Pre-Discharge claims for Service members about to transition to civilian life, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claims for surviving spouses.
Learn more about the DRC Program, including eligibility requirements, what medical evidence you need to submit, and how to find an accredited VSO at https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/drc.asp.
Learn more about the new Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP)
On November 1, 2017, we launched the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program, or “RAMP,” with the goal of providing eligible Veterans with the earliest possible resolution of their disagreement with VA’s decision on their benefit claims. RAMP expands opportunities to enter the new, more efficient claims review process outlined in the historic Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Aug. 23, 2017.
In November 2017, we began to send invitations to eligible Veterans with some of the oldest pending legacy appeals. We will be sending monthly mailings to participate in RAMP until February 2019. Eligibility for voluntary participation is based on receiving an invitation letter from us.
If you have already received a RAMP invitation, and have questions about this opportunity or need assistance, please contact your representative (Veterans Service Organization, attorney, or claims agent). Your representative can assist with the best review option for your appeal(s) and can also file an election on your behalf.
If you don’t have a representative and would like to find an organization or individual to assist you, or if you want to change your representative, you can use eBenefits to see a list of VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations and accredited attorneys and claims agents. You can also use eBenefits to appoint your representative.
We will continue to work closely with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and other Veteran advocates to implement the new appeals process over the next several months as we continue to make bold, positive change on behalf of Veterans, their families and survivors.
To find out more about RAMP, please visit us online at: https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals-ramp.asp
Sincerely,
Veterans Benefits Administration
- VA administers a variety of benefits and services that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Service members, Veterans, their dependents and survivors: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
