What is a VA Development Letter? A Veteran’s Lawyer Explains
If your claim on VA.gov says that the VA sent you a development letter, you might have questions. And if your quality of life is dependent on your claim, you might be worried by the notification. Fortunately, a VA development letter is a common part of processing disability claims.
A VA development letter is an official VA communication that updates you on the status of your claim and requests evidence or information the VA needs to process your claim. Additionally, a VA development letter will tell you how long you have to submit the requested evidence, and whom to contact if you have questions.
A VA development letter is a crucial piece of communication for your claim. Providing the information or evidence requested in your development letter can help the VA move forward with your claim. It also may increase the likelihood of the VA granting your claim. So, it’s vital that you scrutinize it and respond on time.
Here, we’ll tell you what you need to know about VA development letters and give you the insights you need to respond effectively. Let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways
The VA will send a development letter when they need extra evidence or information to move forward with your claim.
Your development letter will outline exactly what the VA needs, when they need it, and whom you can contact with questions.
Responding to your development letter promptly and thoroughly can be beneficial for your claim.
From the time your claim on VA.gov indicates that the VA sent you a development letter, it can take weeks and sometimes months for the document to arrive.
Why does the VA send a development letter?
The VA disability claim process has five main parts:
You file your claim.
The VA performs an initial review.
The VA gathers more information, reviews your claim further, and makes a decision.
Once the VA makes a decision, they prepare to send you your claim decision packet.
Your claim is complete, and you will receive your claim packet in the mail. You can also view decisions for certain types of claims online.
The VA development letter has to do with step two. When the VA performs their initial review, they may find that they need more information from you. If this is the case, the VA will send a development letter that outlines what they need to proceed.
What’s included in a VA development letter?
As we mentioned, your VA development letter outlines what the VA needs to move forward with your claim. In it, you can expect to find the following four essential pieces of information:
The status of your claim: Your development letter will let you know where your claim stands. You can also view this information online at any time with the VA’s claim or appeal status tool.
Additional evidence needed by the VA: The VA may need more information or evidence to continue processing your claim or make the correct decision on your claim. The development letter will list the evidence the VA is requesting. Medical records and service records are some of the most commonly-requested pieces of evidence. Still, the VA may ask for other pieces of information.
Deadlines: Your VA development letter will specify several due dates that you must submit your evidence by. This is a critical piece of information. Mark it down, make a note in your calendar, and start gathering the requested evidence immediately. Medical records may take some time to access, so don’t delay the process. Doing so could put your claim at risk.
Contact information: Finally, your development letter will tell you who you can contact with questions. Scour your development letter for details. If there’s anything you’re uncertain about or don’t understand, reach out to the representative listed on your development letter as soon as you can.
How to respond to your VA development letter
Although it’s a common part of the claims process, receiving a development letter can be unnerving. Fortunately, responding to it is simple. To keep your claim moving, take the following steps when responding to your development letter.
Be thorough: Take your time when reading the development letter. Mark down each item the VA is requesting so you have a clear list of what you need to gather. When you’ve collected the evidence or information, verify that what you have matches what the VA requested.
Be prompt: Your VA development letter will explicitly tell you how long you have to respond. While it won’t necessarily be detrimental to your claim to miss that deadline, it will make things vastly more complicated than they need to be. Begin gathering evidence right away to give yourself as much time as possible.
Ask for help if you need it: We’ve dealt with the VA for over 16 years, and a lot has changed in that time. But, if there’s one thing that doesn’t change, it’s how confusing the VA claims process can be. If you don’t know what your development letter is asking, talk to the representative listed on your development letter. They may be able to provide clarity.
Finally, don’t forget to keep a record of all your communication with the VA related to your development letter. Keep the postmarked envelope, send your mail with a certified return receipt, and document all confirmations. If your claim is denied, your development letter could play an important role if you choose to appeal the decision.
Common questions about VA development letters
Before we wrap this up, let’s talk about some other common questions that you may have about VA development letters.
Can I view my development letter online?
Currently, there’s no option for viewing your development letter online. If you’ve been sent a development letter, you’ll see this image online when you view your claim. However, the letter itself will come by mail. Don’t forget to keep the envelope it came in!
What should I do if I don’t receive my development letter?
Once your claims account shows that a development letter has been sent, you can assume that the letter is on its way. It can take weeks (and sometimes months) to receive the letter — but what if you’ve been waiting longer than that?
We can tell you from our 16 years of experience that the VA isn’t fast — so don’t panic. Your letter might just be taking time. With that said, if you have waited a few weeks and still haven’t received your development letter, you can call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000. They may be able to provide insight to your development letter. In some cases, you may be able to provide the information the VA is seeking to the VA 800 number. If you do this, remember to make a note of the day and time you called.
How long does the VA take to process a fully-developed claim?
According to the VA, it’s takes an average of 104 days* to complete a disability claim. However, each claim is different. The amount of time it takes for the VA to make a decision on your claim depends on a variety of factors.
Common claims can be processed more quickly, uncommon claims may take longer than the average. Similarly, it will take longer for the VA to reach a decision if you claim multiple injuries and disabilities.
Your benefits can make a huge difference in your quality of life, and it’s only natural that you want to get them as soon as possible. Responding to your development letter thoroughly and promptly can help your claim move forward.
* As of July 2023
What should you do if your claim is denied after a development letter?
VA disability claims are denied for countless reasons, and many are denied wrongfully. If the VA denies your claim, you still have options for receiving the benefits your service entitles you to.
There are three options that you can pursue to make the case for why the VA’s decision was wrong through the VA appeals process. The appeal process is even more complex than filing your original claim. If you didn’t have luck with your claim, don’t leave your appeal to chance. Get in touch with an experienced Veteran’s benefits attorney.
Michael D.J. Eisenberg has helped Veterans get the benefits that they deserve for more than 16 years. If your claim was recently denied, Mr. Eisenberg may be able to help you too.
The sooner you start the appeals process, the more time you’ll have to plan an effective appeal. To start on the right foot, schedule an initial consultation with Mr. Eisenberg today!
Note: Consultations for Veterans’ Benefits Appeals Matters are free; however, consultations for Military Records Issues and Medical/Physical Evaluation Boards are paid.