A Deferred Decision occurs when the VA delays making a final ruling on part of a veteran’s disability claim. This typically means the VA is waiting on additional evidence, such as medical records, service documents, or the results of a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, before issuing a complete decision.

Deferred decisions do not mean a claim has been denied—they simply indicate that the VA cannot decide on a particular issue yet. When a claim is deferred, it provides an opportunity for the veteran to submit additional evidence to support their claim.

A claim may be deferred when:

• The VA has requested more evidence but hasn’t received it

• A C&P exam hasn’t been completed or reviewed

• The VA needs to verify service connection or gather clarifying information

• Multiple conditions are claimed, and only some are ready for a ruling

  • Example:

    A veteran might file a claim for multiple conditions, and the VA might approve the claim for PTSD but defer the decision on a back injury because they need more medical evidence about the back injury's severity.

Note: These are a few common examples. Each case is different, and deferrals can involve a wide range of factors.

If your claim is deferred:

• Carefully read the decision letter to understand which conditions have been deferred and why.

• If the letter specifies what evidence is needed, gather and submit it promptly.

• If the VA requires a C&P exam, attend the exam and provide complete and accurate information.

• If you need help understanding the deferral or gathering evidence, consider consulting with a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent.

The VA may issue a partial decision, granting or denying some conditions, while deferring others

Once the needed evidence is obtained, the VA will re-evaluate the deferred issue and issue a supplemental decision

There is no set timeline, but claimants can submit additional evidence or check status through VA.gov

At Greene & Marusak, we help veterans understand deferred decisions, gather missing evidence, and move their claims forward. If your claim has been delayed or partially decided, contact our VA-accredited team for guidance and next steps.

Give us a call at (844) 483-8737