Priority Processing
Overview
Veterans facing certain hardships or meeting specific criteria can request expedited handling of their VA claims. Priority processing moves your claim ahead in the queue, though it doesn't change evidence-gathering timelines.
Pro Tip: Certain situations qualify you for priority processing: terminal illness, financial hardship, advanced age, or ALS. If you qualify, request it. The VA won't volunteer to move faster.
Which Benefits Qualify
Expedited processing applies to:
- Board of Veterans' Appeals cases
- Education benefit claims
- Disability compensation claims (including appeals)
- Fiduciary matters
- Pension and survivor benefit claims
Automatic Priority: Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims are expedited without requiring a separate request.
Who Qualifies
Meeting one criterion makes you eligible:
| Qualifying Factor | Evidence Needed |
|---|---|
| Age 85 or older (75+ for BVA) | Birth date verification |
| ALS diagnosis | Medical documentation |
| Severe financial hardship | Eviction notice, foreclosure papers, collection letters, overdue bills |
| Former POW | DD-214 or service record |
| Homeless or facing imminent homelessness | Working phone and mailing address |
| Medal of Honor recipient | DD-214 or award documentation |
| Purple Heart recipient | DD-214 or award documentation |
| Terminal illness | Medical evidence |
| Very Seriously Injured/Ill (VSI) | Medical records and military documentation |
Submitting Your Request
Required Documentation
Complete and sign VA Form 20-10207, attaching evidence that proves your qualifying circumstance.
Submission Options by Claim Type
Education Benefits: - Phone: 1-888-442-4551 - Online: Ask VA portal
Online Submission (Recommended for Most Claims): - Upload through the Direct Upload Veterans Claims Intake Program at eauth.va.gov
Fax (Disability Only): - 844-531-7818
Mail Addresses:
For Board of Veterans' Appeals:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Board of Veterans' Appeals
P.O. Box 27063
Washington, DC 20038
For Disability Compensation:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Compensation Intake Center
P.O. Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
For Pension and Survivor Claims:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
P.O. Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
For Fiduciary Matters:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiduciary Intake Center
P.O. Box 95211
Lakeland, FL 33804-5211
Confirming Your Status
After submitting:
- Online/Fax submissions: Check status in about 2 weeks
- Call 1-800-827-1000
- Schedule a VERA appointment
- Mailed submissions: Allow about a month before following up
Make sure the priority designation ("flash") has been added to your file.
Common Questions
Does each new claim require a new request?
No. Once applied, priority status attaches to your overall file rather than individual claims. If years have passed, verify it's still active.
How much time does this save?
Priority status advances your claim in the review queue. However, if the VA needs to gather medical records or schedule exams, those delays remain unchanged.
Does meeting multiple criteria help more?
Generally no—meeting several qualifying factors doesn't create additional urgency. The exception is ALS, which receives the highest possible priority.
What if I can't obtain my medical records?
Submit VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a authorizing the VA to retrieve records on your behalf. Note that this adds processing time.
Important Reminders
- Priority processing affects speed, not outcome—claims still require sufficient evidence
- Meeting criteria is just one factor; claim quality still matters
- Working with a VSO can help ensure your request is properly submitted
Legal Authority
38 CFR § 20.800, VA Manual M21-1, and related policy guidance