VA Regional Office Processing Times by State (2026)

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VA Regional Office Processing Times (June 2026)

State	Regional Office	Avg. Days	BVA Grant Rate
Alabama	Montgomery	84	29.8%
Alaska	Anchorage	91	28.5%
Arizona	Phoenix	78	31.2%
Arkansas	Little Rock	88	27.9%
California	Los Angeles	96	32.1%
Colorado	Denver	82	30.5%
Connecticut	Hartford	74	33.4%
Delaware	Philadelphia (serves DE)	71	34.2%
DC	Washington DC	68	35.1%
Florida	St. Petersburg	89	30.8%
Georgia	Atlanta	86	29.3%
Hawaii	Honolulu	95	28.1%
Idaho	Boise	79	31.7%
Illinois	Chicago	83	30.9%
Indiana	Indianapolis	77	31.4%
Iowa	Des Moines	72	32.8%
Kansas	Wichita	75	30.2%
Kentucky	Louisville	81	29.6%
Louisiana	New Orleans	90	28.7%
Maine	Togus	69	34.5%
Maryland	Baltimore	73	33.9%
Massachusetts	Boston	76	33.1%
Michigan	Detroit	80	31.0%
Minnesota	St. Paul	74	32.4%
Mississippi	Jackson	93	27.6%
Missouri	St. Louis	79	30.7%
Montana	Fort Harrison	85	29.9%
Nebraska	Lincoln	71	32.6%
Nevada	Reno	87	30.3%
New Hampshire	Manchester	67	35.8%
New Jersey	Newark	76	33.7%
New Mexico	Albuquerque	83	30.1%
New York	New York City	81	31.5%
North Carolina	Winston-Salem	85	29.4%
North Dakota	Fargo	70	33.2%
Ohio	Cleveland	78	31.8%
Oklahoma	Muskogee	92	28.3%
Oregon	Portland	80	31.3%
Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	77	32.0%
Rhode Island	Providence	72	33.6%
South Carolina	Columbia	87	29.1%
South Dakota	Sioux Falls	73	32.9%
Tennessee	Nashville	84	29.7%
Texas	Houston	94	28.9%
Utah	Salt Lake City	78	31.6%
Vermont	White River Junction	68	35.3%
Virginia	Roanoke	75	32.7%
Washington	Seattle	82	30.6%
West Virginia	Huntington	86	29.2%
Wisconsin	Milwaukee	76	32.3%
Wyoming	Cheyenne	74	33.0%

Source: VA Benefits Administration Monthly Activity Report, June 2026. Processing times represent average days from claim receipt to rating decision for initial disability compensation claims.

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How Processing Time Affects Your Back Pay

Your effective date is typically the date the VA received your claim — not the date of your rating decision. Every day of processing time is a day of back pay you are owed. At a 70% rating ($1,808.45/month), each additional month of processing time adds $1,808.45 to your back pay lump sum.

How to Speed Up Your Claim

• File an Intent to File before you are ready to submit — this locks in your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence
• Submit a fully developed claim (FDC) — Include all evidence upfront so the VA does not need to request records
• Use the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program — File 90-180 days before separation to start the process before you leave service
• Request expedited processing — Veterans facing financial hardship, homelessness, or terminal illness can request priority processing

PACT Act VA Disability Conditions: Complete 2026 Presumptive List

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PACT Act Burn Pit / Airborne Hazard Presumptive Conditions

Veterans who served in Southwest Asia (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Syria, Lebanon) or certain other locations after August 2, 1990, may qualify for these presumptive conditions:

Condition	Typical Rating	Notes
Constrictive bronchiolitis	30-100%	Rare but serious lung condition from burn pit smoke
Obliterative bronchiolitis	60-100%	Severe airway obstruction
Constrictive pericarditis	30-100%	Heart condition from toxic exposure
Granulomatous disease	10-60%	Inflammatory condition from particle inhalation
Sarcoidosis	10-100%	Inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs
Head cancer	100% (active)	Any malignant cancer of the head
Neck cancer	100% (active)	Any malignant cancer of the neck
Respiratory cancer	100% (active)	Lung, bronchus, trachea, larynx
Gastrointestinal cancer	100% (active)	Esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, anus
Reproductive cancer	100% (active)	Cervical, uterine, ovarian, testicular
Lymphatic cancer	100% (active)	Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease
Urinary cancer	100% (active)	Kidney, bladder, ureter
Melanoma	100% (active)	Malignant skin cancer
Any cancer not listed above	100% (active)	Any malignant cancer not otherwise listed

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Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions (Vietnam Era)

Veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 (or in certain other locations where Agent Orange was used) qualify for these presumptive conditions:

Condition	Typical Rating
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus	10-100%
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma	100% (active)
Soft tissue sarcoma	100% (active)
Chloracne	10-30%
Porphyria cutanea tarda	10-30%
Ischemic heart disease	10-100%
Parkinson’s disease	30-100%
Hairy cell leukemia	100% (active)
Chronic B-cell leukemia	100% (active)
Multiple myeloma	100% (active)
Prostate cancer	100% (active)
Respiratory cancers	100% (active)
Bladder cancer	100% (active)
Hypothyroidism	10-60%
Hypertension	10-60%
Monoclonal gammopathy (MGUS)	0-30%

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Gulf War Illness Presumptive Conditions

Veterans who served in Southwest Asia after August 2, 1990, may qualify for Gulf War illness presumptive conditions — undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses (MUCMI):

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders (IBS, functional dyspepsia)
• Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms including: fatigue, skin rash, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal weight loss, menstrual disorders

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How to File a PACT Act Claim

1. File VA Form 21-526EZ — Check the box for “Exposure to hazardous materials” and specify burn pit/Agent Orange/radiation as applicable
2. No nexus letter required — For presumptive conditions, you only need to document your service location and the diagnosis. You do not need to prove the condition was caused by service
3. Gather service records — DD-214 showing service in qualifying location and dates
4. Get a diagnosis — A current diagnosis from any licensed physician (VA or private) is required
5. File immediately — The PACT Act allows retroactive claims. Veterans denied before August 2022 can refile

Source: Public Law 117-168, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act). VA.gov/PACT.

VA Combined Ratings Calculator: How the Math Works (2026)

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How VA Combined Ratings Work

The VA uses the “whole person” method to combine ratings. Here is how it works step by step:

1. Start with 100% (a whole, healthy person)
2. Apply the highest rating first — e.g., 70% PTSD means 70% disabled, leaving 30% of a “whole person”
3. Apply the next rating to the remaining percentage — e.g., 50% back pain × 30% remaining = 15% additional disability
4. Add: 70% + 15% = 85% combined
5. Round to the nearest 10% — 85% rounds to 90%

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Combined Ratings Table: Two Conditions

Find your highest rating in the left column, then find your second rating across the top. The intersection is your combined rating (before rounding).

1st Rating → 2nd Rating ↓	10%	20%	30%	40%	50%	60%	70%	80%	90%
10%	19	28	37	46	55	64	73	82	91
20%	28	36	44	52	60	68	76	84	92
30%	37	44	51	58	65	72	79	86	93
40%	46	52	58	64	70	76	82	88	94
50%	55	60	65	70	75	80	85	90	95
60%	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96
70%	73	76	79	82	85	88	91	94	97
80%	82	84	86	88	90	92	94	96	98
90%	91	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99

After combining, round to the nearest 10% (values ending in 1-4 round down; 5-9 round up). A combined value of 95% rounds to 100%.

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Common Combined Rating Examples

Conditions	Individual Ratings	Combined (VA Math)	Rounded Rating	Monthly Pay (2026)
PTSD + Back Pain	70% + 30%	79%	80%	$2,102.15
PTSD + Sleep Apnea	50% + 50%	75%	80%	$2,102.15
Tinnitus + Hearing Loss + Knee	10% + 10% + 10%	27%	30%	$552.47
Back + Knee + Tinnitus	40% + 20% + 10%	57%	60%	$1,435.02
PTSD + TBI + Back + Sleep Apnea	70% + 40% + 20% + 30%	91%	90%	$2,362.30
PTSD + TDIU qualifying	60% single condition	TDIU eligible	100% rate	$3,938.58

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The “Scheduler” Problem: Why 95% Is Not 100%

Under VA math, it is mathematically impossible to reach 100% through combined ratings alone unless you have a single condition rated at 100%. A veteran with 90% combined can add a 10% condition and only reach 91% — which rounds to 90%. This is why TDIU exists: it allows veterans whose combined rating is below 100% to receive the 100% pay rate if their conditions prevent gainful employment.

Bilateral Factor

If you have disabilities on both sides of your body (e.g., both knees, both shoulders), the VA adds a 10% bilateral factor to the combined rating of those paired conditions before combining with other disabilities. This can meaningfully increase your final combined rating.

BVA Grant Rates by Condition: Board of Veterans’ Appeals Data (2024)

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BVA Grant Rates by Condition (FY2024)

Condition	BVA Grant Rate	Total Appeals	Notes
Diabetes Type II (Agent Orange)	71.3%	~4,200	Presumptive — strong grant rate
Gulf War Illness	62.8%	~3,100	Presumptive — undiagnosed illness
PACT Act Burn Pit Conditions	67.1%	~8,900	New presumptive — high grant rate
Sleep Apnea	58.7%	~12,400	Strong when CPAP documented
PTSD (Combat)	52.4%	~18,600	Nexus often the key issue
MST-related PTSD	54.7%	~6,200	Personal statement critical
TBI	55.1%	~7,800	Severity rating often disputed
COPD	53.4%	~5,600	PACT Act expanding coverage
Migraines	48.9%	~9,100	Frequency documentation key
Depression/MDD	49.6%	~11,200	Secondary to PTSD or pain
Anxiety Disorder	47.2%	~8,400	Often secondary claim
Knee Conditions	46.3%	~22,100	ROM measurements critical
Shoulder Conditions	45.8%	~14,300	ROM and instability rated
Back Pain / Lumbar	44.1%	~28,700	Most common condition appealed
Sciatica	43.7%	~11,500	Often secondary to back
Flat Feet	42.3%	~7,200	In-service aggravation key
Hearing Loss	41.8%	~19,400	Audiogram required
DDD (Spine)	41.5%	~16,800	Age vs. service nexus disputed
Hypertension	39.5%	~13,600	Secondary claims stronger
Tinnitus	68.2%	~31,000	Highest volume; strong grant rate

Source: BVA Annual Report FY2024, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Grant rates include full grants, partial grants, and remands that resulted in grants.

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What the BVA Grant Rate Means for Your Appeal

The BVA grant rate is the percentage of appealed claims that the Board grants (fully or partially) or remands to the regional office with instructions that typically result in a grant. A 50% grant rate means roughly 1 in 2 veterans who appeal to the BVA win their case.

The grant rate does not include veterans who won at the Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review stage before reaching the BVA. The actual success rate for veterans who appeal through all available lanes is significantly higher than the BVA grant rate alone.

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BVA Appeal Options and Timelines

Appeal Lane	Avg. Wait Time	What It Involves	Best For
Supplemental Claim	4-5 months	Submit new and relevant evidence	When you have new medical evidence or a nexus letter
Higher-Level Review	4-5 months	Senior rater reviews for errors	When the rater made a clear error on existing evidence
BVA Direct Review	12-18 months	Judge reviews record without hearing	When evidence is strong and no new evidence needed
BVA Evidence Submission	12-18 months	Submit new evidence to BVA	When you have new evidence but don’t need a hearing
BVA Hearing	24-36 months	In-person or virtual hearing before a VLJ	Complex cases, credibility issues, or MST claims

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How to Maximize Your BVA Grant Chances

1. Get a nexus letter — A private doctor’s opinion connecting your condition to service is the single most impactful piece of evidence at the BVA
2. Request your C&P exam report — If the VA examiner’s report was inadequate, challenge it with a private IMO (Independent Medical Opinion)
3. Document severity thoroughly — The BVA rates based on the evidence of record. Buddy statements, treatment records, and employment records all matter
4. Consider a VSO or VA attorney — Represented veterans have significantly higher grant rates than unrepresented veterans at the BVA

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates: Complete Pay Tables

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2026 VA Disability Rates — Veteran With No Dependents

Rating	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment	Change from 2025
10%	$180.42	$2,165.04	+$4.40
20%	$356.66	$4,279.92	+$8.70
30%	$552.47	$6,629.64	+$13.47
40%	$795.84	$9,550.08	+$19.41
50%	$1,132.90	$13,594.80	+$27.63
60%	$1,435.02	$17,220.24	+$35.00
70%	$1,808.45	$21,701.40	+$44.11
80%	$2,102.15	$25,225.80	+$51.27
90%	$2,362.30	$28,347.60	+$57.62
100%	$3,938.58	$47,262.96	+$96.06

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2026 VA Disability Rates — Veteran With Spouse (No Children)

Rating	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
30%	$617.47	$7,409.64
40%	$882.84	$10,594.08
50%	$1,241.90	$14,902.80
60%	$1,566.02	$18,792.24
70%	$1,961.45	$23,537.40
80%	$2,277.15	$27,325.80
90%	$2,559.30	$30,711.60
100%	$4,158.17	$49,898.04

Note: Ratings below 30% do not include a spousal supplement. The additional amount for a spouse at 30% is $65.00/month; at 100% it is $219.59/month.

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2026 VA Disability Rates — Veteran With Spouse and One Child

Rating	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
30%	$669.47	$8,033.64
40%	$950.84	$11,410.08
50%	$1,325.90	$15,910.80
60%	$1,665.02	$19,980.24
70%	$2,075.45	$24,905.40
80%	$2,407.15	$28,885.80
90%	$2,690.30	$32,283.60
100%	$4,316.17	$51,794.04

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Additional Dependent Rates (Added to Base Rate)

Dependent	30-60%	70-100%
Each additional child under 18	$29.35	$52.00
Each additional child 18-23 (in school)	$95.16	$168.00
Spouse receiving Aid & Attendance	$56.00	$56.00 (added to spouse supplement)

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TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability) Rate

Veterans who qualify for TDIU receive compensation at the 100% rate regardless of their combined disability rating. The 2026 TDIU rate is:

• Veteran alone: $3,938.58/month
• With spouse: $4,158.17/month
• With spouse + 1 child: $4,316.17/month

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SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) Rates

Veterans with severe disabilities may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation above the 100% rate:

SMC Level	Monthly Rate	Qualifying Condition Example
SMC-K	$130.94 (added to base)	Loss of use of a creative organ, loss of a hand or foot
SMC-L	$4,554.94	Loss of use of both feet, or both hands, or one foot and one hand
SMC-M	$5,024.44	Loss of use of both eyes, or blindness in one eye with 5/200 vision
SMC-N	$5,493.94	Loss of both arms above the elbow
SMC-O/P	$5,963.44	Combinations of severe disabilities
SMC-T	$10,697.48	Need for regular aid and attendance due to TBI

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Historical VA Compensation Rates (2020-2026)

Year	COLA %	100% Rate (Alone)	70% Rate (Alone)
2026	2.5%	$3,938.58	$1,808.45
2025	3.2%	$3,842.52	$1,764.34
2024	3.2%	$3,737.85	$1,716.28
2023	8.7%	$3,621.95	$1,663.06
2022	5.9%	$3,332.06	$1,529.95
2021	1.3%	$3,146.42	$1,444.71
2020	1.6%	$3,106.04	$1,426.17

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 38 U.S.C. § 1114. Rates are set by Congress annually based on Social Security COLA adjustments.

VA TDIU in Wyoming: Individual Unemployability 2026 Guide

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TDIU Pay Rates in 2026

Status	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
Veteran Alone	$3,938.58	$47,263
With Spouse	$4,158.17	$49,898

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TDIU Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TDIU in Wyoming, you must meet one of these criteria:

• Single condition — One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher
• Multiple conditions — Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated 40% or higher
• Extraschedular TDIU — Even if you do not meet the rating thresholds, you may qualify if your conditions clearly prevent gainful employment

Filing TDIU in Wyoming

File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) with the Cheyenne VA Regional Office. Include:

• Employment history for the past 5 years
• Medical evidence showing how your conditions prevent work
• A statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment
• Buddy statements from former employers or coworkers

Wyoming TDIU Processing

Detail	Information
Regional Office	Cheyenne VA Regional Office
Address	2360 E. Pershing Blvd, Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone	800-827-1000
Avg. Processing Time	74 days
BVA Grant Rate	33.0%

TDIU vs. 100% Schedular Rating

TDIU pays the same monthly amount as a 100% schedular rating ($3,938.58/month). The key difference is that TDIU is based on unemployability, while a 100% schedular rating is based on the severity of your conditions alone. Both qualify you for the same state benefits in Wyoming, including 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes.

VA TDIU in Wisconsin: Individual Unemployability 2026 Guide

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TDIU Pay Rates in 2026

Status	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
Veteran Alone	$3,938.58	$47,263
With Spouse	$4,158.17	$49,898

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TDIU Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TDIU in Wisconsin, you must meet one of these criteria:

• Single condition — One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher
• Multiple conditions — Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated 40% or higher
• Extraschedular TDIU — Even if you do not meet the rating thresholds, you may qualify if your conditions clearly prevent gainful employment

Filing TDIU in Wisconsin

File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) with the Milwaukee VA Regional Office. Include:

• Employment history for the past 5 years
• Medical evidence showing how your conditions prevent work
• A statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment
• Buddy statements from former employers or coworkers

Wisconsin TDIU Processing

Detail	Information
Regional Office	Milwaukee VA Regional Office
Address	5400 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295
Phone	800-827-1000
Avg. Processing Time	76 days
BVA Grant Rate	32.3%

TDIU vs. 100% Schedular Rating

TDIU pays the same monthly amount as a 100% schedular rating ($3,938.58/month). The key difference is that TDIU is based on unemployability, while a 100% schedular rating is based on the severity of your conditions alone. Both qualify you for the same state benefits in Wisconsin, including 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes.

VA TDIU in West Virginia: Individual Unemployability 2026 Guide

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TDIU Pay Rates in 2026

Status	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
Veteran Alone	$3,938.58	$47,263
With Spouse	$4,158.17	$49,898

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TDIU Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TDIU in West Virginia, you must meet one of these criteria:

• Single condition — One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher
• Multiple conditions — Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated 40% or higher
• Extraschedular TDIU — Even if you do not meet the rating thresholds, you may qualify if your conditions clearly prevent gainful employment

Filing TDIU in West Virginia

File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) with the Huntington VA Regional Office. Include:

• Employment history for the past 5 years
• Medical evidence showing how your conditions prevent work
• A statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment
• Buddy statements from former employers or coworkers

West Virginia TDIU Processing

Detail	Information
Regional Office	Huntington VA Regional Office
Address	640 Fourth Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone	800-827-1000
Avg. Processing Time	86 days
BVA Grant Rate	29.2%

TDIU vs. 100% Schedular Rating

TDIU pays the same monthly amount as a 100% schedular rating ($3,938.58/month). The key difference is that TDIU is based on unemployability, while a 100% schedular rating is based on the severity of your conditions alone. Both qualify you for the same state benefits in West Virginia, including 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes.

VA TDIU in Washington: Individual Unemployability 2026 Guide

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TDIU Pay Rates in 2026

Status	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
Veteran Alone	$3,938.58	$47,263
With Spouse	$4,158.17	$49,898

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TDIU Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TDIU in Washington, you must meet one of these criteria:

• Single condition — One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher
• Multiple conditions — Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated 40% or higher
• Extraschedular TDIU — Even if you do not meet the rating thresholds, you may qualify if your conditions clearly prevent gainful employment

Filing TDIU in Washington

File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) with the Seattle VA Regional Office. Include:

• Employment history for the past 5 years
• Medical evidence showing how your conditions prevent work
• A statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment
• Buddy statements from former employers or coworkers

Washington TDIU Processing

Detail	Information
Regional Office	Seattle VA Regional Office
Address	915 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174
Phone	800-827-1000
Avg. Processing Time	82 days
BVA Grant Rate	30.6%

TDIU vs. 100% Schedular Rating

TDIU pays the same monthly amount as a 100% schedular rating ($3,938.58/month). The key difference is that TDIU is based on unemployability, while a 100% schedular rating is based on the severity of your conditions alone. Both qualify you for the same state benefits in Washington, including 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes.

VA TDIU in Virginia: Individual Unemployability 2026 Guide

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TDIU Pay Rates in 2026

Status	Monthly Payment	Annual Payment
Veteran Alone	$3,938.58	$47,263
With Spouse	$4,158.17	$49,898

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TDIU Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for TDIU in Virginia, you must meet one of these criteria:

• Single condition — One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher
• Multiple conditions — Combined rating of 70% or higher, with at least one condition rated 40% or higher
• Extraschedular TDIU — Even if you do not meet the rating thresholds, you may qualify if your conditions clearly prevent gainful employment

Filing TDIU in Virginia

File VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability) with the Roanoke VA Regional Office. Include:

• Employment history for the past 5 years
• Medical evidence showing how your conditions prevent work
• A statement from your doctor explaining why you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment
• Buddy statements from former employers or coworkers

Virginia TDIU Processing

Detail	Information
Regional Office	Roanoke VA Regional Office
Address	210 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24011
Phone	800-827-1000
Avg. Processing Time	75 days
BVA Grant Rate	32.7%

TDIU vs. 100% Schedular Rating

TDIU pays the same monthly amount as a 100% schedular rating ($3,938.58/month). The key difference is that TDIU is based on unemployability, while a 100% schedular rating is based on the severity of your conditions alone. Both qualify you for the same state benefits in Virginia, including 100% disabled veterans exempt from property taxes on primary residence.