How to Identify Decision Letters and Requests for Information
Many veterans receive letters from the VA and assume any correspondence is a decision. However, not all letters indicate that your claim has been decided. This guide will help you quickly identify the difference.
Reading this article will help you understand the difference between true decision letters and other VA correspondence.
What a Decision Letter Looks Like
An official decision letter includes:
- A clear decision on each condition.
- Grant, denial, or deferral language.
- Multiple pages containing detailed explanations.
- Evidence used.
- Rating percentages (if granted).
- Effective dates.
It is usually titled “Rating Decision,” “Decision Letter,” or “Claim Decision.”
What a Request for Information (RFI) Looks Like
These letters typically include:
- A request for additional forms.
- Missing evidence notifications.
- The phrase “VA Needs More Information.”
- Deadlines for submitting new documents.
RFIs do not include disability ratings or final decisions.
This Difference Matters Because
- You cannot file an appeal or supplemental claim until you have a decision letter.
- Requests for information mean your claim is still in progress.
- VetClaims cannot create strategy for appeals until the VA issues an official decision.
If You’re Unsure Which Document You Have
You can upload it to your VetClaims Portal and our team will confirm it for you.