Do you need the VA to process things in a hurry? As luck would have it, the VA does have a process for you to be put into the fast lane!
The VA can grant priority processing to those seeking:
SPECIAL NOTE:
Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims get priority processing WITHOUT needing to meet any of the following criteria!
Eligibility
Meet any of the following criteria:
| Criteria |
Evidence to Supply VA with |
|---|---|
| Age 85* or older | Date of birth |
| Diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease | Medical evidence showing diagnosis** |
| Experiencing Extreme Financial Hardship | Documentation such as: Eviction notice or foreclosure, past due utility bills, collection notices from creditors |
| Former Prisoner of War | DD-214 or information such as service number, branch and dates of service, dates and location of internment, detaining power, or any other information relevant to the detainment |
| Homeless/Imminent Risk of Homelessness | Attempt to provide the VA with a working phone number and a physical address that you can receive mail at - if possible. |
| Medal of Honor Recipient | DD-214 or other information showing receipt |
| Purple Heart Recipient | DD-214 or other information showing receipt |
| Terminally Ill | Medical evidence that shows diagnosis is terminal** |
| Very Seriously Injured/Ill*** | Medical evidence showing severe injury/illness and appropriate military records |
*For those appealing to the BVA, know that for priority consideration you need only be age 75 or older.
**If you are unable to obtain these records then you can attach a completed and signed VA Form 21-4142 & VA Form 21-4142a. This will allow the VA to obtain them on your behalf; HOWEVER, doing this will add delays! It is best to obtain these records and give them to the VA yourself.
***Only available to Servicemembers likely to undergo a Medboard OR Veterans who are appealing to the BVA.
How to Apply for Priority Processing
Complete and sign a VA Form 20-10207.
Obtain copies of any necessary evidence.
Submit everything to the VA:
SPECIAL NOTE:
For those wanting priority for education benefits call 1-888-442-4551 OR send an email through Ask VA HERE.
Veterans Service Officer (VSO):
If you have a VSO, have them submit everything for you.
Online:
FAX:
844-531-7818 FOR DISABILITY CLAIMS ONLY.
Snail Mail:
Board of Veterans' Appeals
Department of Veterans Affairs
Board of Veterans' Appeals
P.O. Box 27063
Washington, DC 20038
Disability Claims
Department of Veterans Affairs
Compensation Intake Center
P.O. Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
Pension & Survivors Benefit Claims
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
P.O. Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Fiduciary
Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiduciary Intake Center
P.O. Box 95211
Lakeland, FL 33804-5211
Closing Remarks
If you submitted your paperwork online or submitted a fax:
In around two weeks call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or make a VERA appointment to check if your paperwork has been processed and that a hardship flash has been applied to your file yet.
If you snail mailed your paperwork then complete the above instructions after around a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I previously applied for priority processing do I need to reapply if I file another claim or appeal?
No, the priority flash is applied to your file and not any one specific claim or appeal. However, if it has been a few years, you can again make a VERA appointment to check if the flash is still there.
How much faster will this make things?
In short, priority processing helps you get before a rater or a judge faster. It will NOT inherently make gathering evidence for your claim faster. Meaning, if your claim is being bogged down by record gathering, the priority marker may not do much for you till you get in the line for the rater/judge.
If I qualify for more than 1 priority criteria will the VA process my claim even faster?
No - There is no hierarchy to priority cases*.
*except in the case of those diagnosed with ALS.