VA Disability Glossary – Key Terms Every Veteran Should Know

Deferred Decision

  • 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 final 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 has not received it

    • A C&P exam has not 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 decision

      • Example:

        A veteran might file a claim for PTSD and a back injury. VA might grant the claim for PTSD, but defer the decision on a back injury because they need more medical evidence to determine 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 rating 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

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