VA does not publish how long Step 6 takes. On VA.gov, Step 6 is “Preparing decision letter,” the stage where VA drafts the letter that states your decision. VA reported an average of 68.2 days to complete disability-related claims in September 2026, so Step 6 is one stage inside a longer wait, not the whole thing.
What happens in Step 6 of a VA claim?
By Step 5 (Rating), VA has decided your claim and set your disability rating. In Step 6, VA prepares the decision letter. For eligible veterans, VA says the letter includes the rating, the monthly payment amount and the payment start date.
VA’s description of this step does not ask you to do anything. It does add one warning: if more evidence is needed or submitted, the claim goes back to Step 3, Evidence gathering.
How long does Step 6 take?
VA’s claim status pages give no time for any single step. VA says total time depends on the type of claim, how many conditions you claimed and how complex they are, and how long evidence collection takes. Some websites quote a range of days for Step 6. Treat those as estimates, not VA commitments.
Here is what VA does publish on its claim process page:
- An average of 68.2 days to complete disability-related claims in September 2026. That figure covers the whole claim, so it is not a Step 6 number, and it changes from month to month.
- A mailed copy of your decision letter should arrive within 10 business days after the claim is decided (Step 8), though VA says it may take longer.
What can make the wait longer?
- Claim type and complexity. VA says the type of claim and the number and complexity of your conditions affect how long a claim takes overall.
- New evidence. Anything you submit while the claim is in Step 6 can send it back to Step 3.
- Where the claim is worked. VA’s national work queue sends rating claims to regional offices around the country, so the office near you may not be the one handling yours.
Why does my claim tracker show a different Step 6?
VA.gov now shows eight numbered steps. Older VA labels, which some third-party trackers and many guides still use, include “Preparation for Decision,” “Pending Decision Approval,” “Preparation for Notification” and “Complete.” They do not line up one-to-one with today’s numbers. Roughly, “Preparation for Decision” is the older name for the rating work now called Step 5, and “Pending Decision Approval” is closer to today’s Step 7, Final review. If your tracker uses older names, go by the name of the status, not the number.
The steps below follow VA.gov’s current list. For a closer look at each stage, see our guide to the 8 steps of the VA claim timeline.
| Step | VA.gov status | What VA is doing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claim received | VA has your claim. |
| 2 | Initial review | VA checks basic information, such as your name and Social Security number, and contacts you if something is missing. |
| 3 | Evidence gathering | VA collects the evidence it needs and may schedule a claim exam. VA calls this usually the longest step. |
| 4 | Evidence review | VA reviews all of the evidence. |
| 5 | Rating | VA decides the claim and sets the disability rating. |
| 6 | Preparing decision letter | VA drafts the decision letter. |
| 7 | Final review | A senior reviewer checks the claim and the letter. |
| 8 | Claim decided | You can view and download the letter online, and VA mails a copy. |
What happens after Step 6?
Step 7 is Final review. VA gives no published time for it. In Step 8, you can read and download the decision letter in the claim status tool, and a mailed copy follows.
When the letter arrives, read it closely. If you disagree with the decision, you generally have one year to choose a review option and keep your original effective date: a Supplemental Claim (needs new and relevant evidence), a Higher-Level Review (no new evidence) or a Board appeal. Our guide to VA appeals and supplemental claims explains how they differ. To see how a rating turns into monthly pay, try the free VA disability calculator.
What if your claim seems stuck in Step 6?
- Sign in to VA’s claim status tool and check for new letters or messages.
- Call the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
- Ask an accredited VSO representative to check on it. Their help is free, and VA’s accredited representative page shows how to find one.
Before you send VA anything new at this stage, talk it over with an accredited representative, because VA says new evidence can send the claim back to Step 3. Woobie is an educational platform and cannot see or check your claim.
For longer waits in other stages, read about claims stuck at Steps 3, 4, 6 or 7. If you are waiting on an exam result, see what happens after your C&P exam.
Frequently asked questions
Does Step 6 mean my VA claim was approved?
Not by itself. By Step 6, VA has already decided the claim and set a rating at Step 5, but the outcome is in the decision letter. VA says the letter includes the rating, monthly payment amount and payment start date for eligible veterans. Wait for the letter to see what VA decided.
Can my claim go back to an earlier step during Step 6?
Yes. VA says that if more evidence is needed or submitted while your claim is in Step 4, 5 or 6, the claim returns to Step 3, Evidence gathering. Before you send anything new, it helps to talk with a free accredited VSO representative about whether it is worth doing now.
When will I see my decision letter?
VA does not publish a time for Steps 6 or 7. Once the claim reaches Step 8, Claim decided, you can view and download the letter in VA’s claim status tool. VA also mails a copy, which it says should arrive within 10 business days but may take longer.
Do I need to do anything while my claim is in Step 6?
VA’s description of Step 6 does not ask you to take any action. Keep your mailing address and phone number current, watch your VA.gov account and mail, and respond by the date given if VA sends a letter asking for information.
Is it a bad sign if my claim stays in one step for a long time?
Time spent in a step is not a reliable sign of the outcome. Only the decision letter tells you what VA decided. If the wait feels too long, check the claim status tool, call the VA benefits hotline, or ask an accredited VSO representative to look into it.
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