VA Requests and Tracked Items

Overview

This resource documents VA requests and tracked items used in the benefits claims process. The page explains various types of requests the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) can make to develop claims properly.

BLUF: Tracked items are the VA asking for something. Respond within the deadline or your claim gets decided without that evidence. Check va.gov weekly. The VA's notification system is... unreliable.

Key Definitions

Request Categories: - Claimant: Person claiming a benefit - Federal: Other federal entities including Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Internal: Within VBA; used to track internal claim processes - Private: VA contractors or private medical providers

Notes on Requests

• Some "requests" are actually notices to claimants or internal status trackers
• Some requests display additional details on va.gov with more information than shown in the VA App
• Language can be confusing—"no longer needed" means the request has been made, not that the exam is cancelled

Common Request Types

Medical Development

• DBQ requests for various conditions (cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, psychiatric)
• Service Treatment Records (STRs)
• VA facility records
• Private medical records

Dependency/Family Information

• Marriage certificates and termination documents
• Child information and school verification
• Dependent income documentation

Service Verification

• DD214 forms
• Military records
• Service dates and locations
• Character of discharge determinations

Financial Documentation

• Income statements
• Asset verification
• Medical expense reporting (Form 21-8416)
• Net worth assessments

Special Programs

• Agent Orange exposure claims
• Asbestos exposure documentation
• PTSD stressor verification
• Gulf War illness claims
• Camp Lejeune service verification

Internal Status Trackers

Examples include "Ready for decision," "Second Signature" (requiring senior review), "Due Process" (adverse decision pending), and "Not ready for decision."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Request says "no longer needed" but I haven't had my exam yet? A: This language is confusing in its intent. The request item itself is completed, not necessarily the actual exam.

Q: VA website shows blank request? A: Contact the VA's 1-800 number or your Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for clarification.

Q: What about a third signature? A: No "third signature" tracked item exists; higher authorization decisions don't appear as separate request items.