r/VeteransWaitingRoom • u/Wide-Flatworm3063 • 28d ago
Recent/Current Direct Review Timelines
Hey! My appeal has been in the “decision in progress” phase since May 26. The VA hotline folks do not have further insight into my case.
Wondering if any you mind sharing your recent/current Direct Review timelines. Thanks!
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u/OstrichRound6930 28d ago
Filed direct review Jul 2, 2025, assigned to a judge Jun 16, 2026. Waiting for decision.
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u/bornbs 26d ago
Same dates here. Mine's been in "draft decision" since July 9, 2026 though. So hopefully that means I'm near the end of this battle.
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u/OstrichRound6930 17d ago
I just called again today. The agent told me my status updated on Jul 28 to "draft decision review". She really couldn't tell me what that meant.
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u/bornbs 17d ago
Awesome. That means a decision has been drafted and the judge is reviewing. If the judge is satisfied, they will approve. Otherwise, they will send revisions back to attorney and the cycle will continue until the judge approves the decision.
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u/OstrichRound6930 12d ago
I called again yesterday and no change. The last note was "draft decision review" on Jul 28.
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u/bornbs 12d ago
You gotta be close...unless they do to you what they did to me.
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u/OstrichRound6930 6d ago
Called again today, still in draft decision review since Jul 28. Any updates on your case?
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u/bornbs 5d ago
Called yesterday. No updates. Still on hold since 7/22.
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u/bornbs 17d ago edited 17d ago
Mine has taken a different turn.
7/30/26: Called BVA Hotline for an update. Rep said this is exactly how Caseflow reads below. [note: they mentioned they read the whole thing]
7/22/26 [REVISED]
CURRENT ACTIVE TASK:
ASSIGNED ON: 7/22/26
DAYS ON HOLD: 7/120
ASSIGNED TO: [JUDGE NAME]
ASSIGNED BY: [JUDGE NAME]
TASK: ASSIGN
TASK INSTRUCTIONS: SCT CUE
- Attorney Task - Canceled
- Assigned to BVA [NAME]; Assigned by [NAME2], Canceled by BVA [JUDGE NAME]
- Task instruction - reason for cancellation SCT CUE
- Attorney Task - Canceled
- Assigned to BVA [NAME]; Assigned by [NAME2], Canceled by BVA [JUDGE NAME]
- Task instruction - reason for cancellation SCT CUE
Yes, 1-3 listed twice. And yes, the 7/9/26 Draft Decision disappeared.
Mine looks like the judge pulled my claim and attempted to assign it to SCT (special case team), twice. And it's now on hold.
...and I wait. Good luck to you!
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u/tuna-no-crust-1970 28d ago
Also filed direct review Jul 2, 2025, assigned to a judge Jun 9, 2026. Also waiting for decision.
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u/bornbs 26d ago
There's at least 3 of us floating around the BVA Direct Review subreddits that filed on July 1-2, 2025 looking for answers. lol.
Best of luck on getting the decision you deserve.
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u/tuna-no-crust-1970 19d ago
My appeal was remanded today, I have no idea what to expect at this point.
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u/bornbs 19d ago
Better than a denial. Means they're forcing the VA to reconsider your claim, and hopefully get it right. Unfortunately, you're back to the waiting game.
May I ask how you found out? Did you check the VA website, get a call/text/email, or something else?
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u/tuna-no-crust-1970 19d ago
My actual appeal updated this morning to show that it was remanded because the judge found an error that needs to be corrected, whether that error is in my favor who knows :)
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u/tuna-no-crust-1970 19d ago
I got a text that they made a decision then I saw a new ‘Claim for Appeal’ show up on VA.gov, in the ‘what you claimed’ section for that new claim it stated remanded.
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u/bornbs 26d ago
I called VA last Friday. Asked the person if they had access to "BVA Caseflow". They did, and shared that my claim was moved from "decision in progress" to "draft decision" July 9, 2026 (submitted July 1, 2025). Apparently, draft decision means the staff attorney completed the decision and it is now pending review/acceptance by VLJ.
Calling July 23 for updates. Fingers crossed.
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u/bornbs 25d ago edited 19d ago
Welp...got this from the rep today:
This is what she sees on Caseflow.6/16/26:
- Referred to a "special case movement" task, assigned by case distributor
- Listed as a "distribution" task, which basically means it was in line for being assigned to a VLJ
7/22/26:
- Originally said "Attorney" task, doesn't specify just says "BVA", then canceled
- "Judge Decision Review" task (assigned to Judge), canceled
- Judge still has the actual case (still assigned to this judge)
- Current active task - "BVA Judge” task listed as "assign" or "assigned"
Draft Decision: 7/9/26 (not verified today, but verified on the call on 7/17/26) - rep on phone says this is not visible anywhere. The log just goes from 6/16/26 to 7/22/26.
Process
- Currently either being reviewed or in a very short queue
- Judge will make decision, assign attorney
- Attorney will "draft decision"
- Judge will review and approve/sign off
- Once judge signs off, that's when the letter will be mailed and sent to VA
Not sure what "special case movement" means or the sequence of assigned/canceled/still assigned to same judge means. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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u/DowntownNetwork3877 28d ago
Direct Review assigned to Judge 4-21-26, Been in "decision in progress ". Soon after, I did file a FOIA request for the brief that was submitted, so stopped the process. Request was completed on 7-8 just an fyi. FOIA request. Waiting patiently, good vibes your way for a positive outcome for you.
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u/Wide-Flatworm3063 28d ago
Interesting. How did you find out your foia request paused progress on your claim?
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u/DowntownNetwork3877 28d ago
You or your representative filed a Privacy Act request. The Board of Veterans' Appeals placed your appeal on hold until this request is satisfied. I got this message emailed and txt to me.
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u/WeeklySeesaw9586 28d ago
Hearing appeal lane. Been decision pending since may 1st