If you’ve got a pending VA disability claim, seeing “VA claim secondary action required” pop up can be both confusing and frustrating.
What the heck does it mean?
Do you need to do anything?
We’ll cover all that and more in this high-value blog post.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Secondary Action Required status means the VA is actively working on your claim: This status indicates that the VA needs additional information, evidence, or action to move forward with your disability claim. It’s part of the claim development phase.
- Common reasons for this status: The VA may require additional medical records, a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, a more detailed medical opinion, or certain administrative tasks to be completed.
- Steps you should take when this status appears: Check your VA.gov account for any requests, submit any requested information promptly, attend any scheduled C&P exams, and contact your Veteran Service Officer (VSO) for assistance.
- The status duration can vary: Depending on the complexity of the information or actions required, this status can last from a few days to a few weeks.
VA Claim Secondary Action Required: What It Might Mean for You
If you see a message like this, it usually means the VA requires additional documentation or evidence before they can continue processing your claim.
It’s part of the development phase of the 8-step VA disability claim process and generally means the VA is waiting on something specific, such as:
- Additional Evidence: The VA may need medical records, service treatment records, or other supporting documentation to decide your claim. In some cases, they might require records from private healthcare providers or other sources outside of the VA system.
- Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam: One of the most common reasons for this status is that the VA is scheduling a C&P exam to evaluate your condition. The exam helps the VA assess the severity of your disability and determine how it affects your ability to work or perform daily activities.
- Further Medical Opinion or Diagnosis: Sometimes, the VA may require a more detailed medical opinion or diagnosis if the initial evidence doesn’t provide enough clarity about your condition. For example, if you’re claiming a secondary condition, the VA might need more evidence linking the primary condition to the secondary one.
- Administrative Actions: The VA may need to process forms, correct errors in your file, or take other administrative actions to ensure your claim is accurate and complete.
Why Does This Happen?
The VA disability claims process can be lengthy and involves several stages.
When the status changes to “VA Secondary Action Required,” it generally means that the VA is actively working on your claim, but they need additional information or evidence before they can proceed.
It’s important to note that this status doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with your claim—it’s a routine part of ensuring that they have all the necessary information to make an accurate decision.
What Should You Do?
When you see “VA Secondary Action Required,” here’s what you can do:
- Check Your VA Messages: Always check your VA.gov account for any new messages. The VA will typically notify you if they need additional information, documents, or if they’ve scheduled a C&P exam.
- Follow-Up On Any Requested Actions: If the VA has requested specific information, such as medical records or additional forms, ensure that you submit them promptly. The faster you respond, the sooner the VA can process your claim.
- Attend C&P Exams: If the VA schedules a C&P exam, it’s critical that you attend. Missing an exam can delay your claim or result in a denial.
- Call The VA Hotline: You always have the option to call 1-800-827-1000 and speak to a VA representative about your claim status. You can inquire about “secondary action required” and ask the representative if you need to do anything.
- Contact Your Accredited VSO: If you’re still unsure about what the VA needs, a VSO can help you navigate the process and ensure that your claim stays on track. They can assist in gathering evidence, attending exams, and responding to VA requests.
How Long Will VA Secondary Action Required Status Last?
The duration of this status can vary from a few days to a month or longer.
It depends on the complexity of the requested action and how quickly the necessary information can be gathered.
For example, if you’re waiting on medical records from a private doctor, it may take longer.
If a C&P exam needs to be scheduled, that can also add time to the process.
The key takeaway is that your claim is being actively worked on and the VA is taking steps to move it forward.
What Does VA Secondary Action Required No Longer Needed Mean?
When the VA claim status shows “VA Secondary Action Required No Longer Needed,” it indicates that the VA has either received the necessary documentation, completed the needed actions (such as a medical exam or further administrative review), or determined that the additional actions they originally requested are no longer necessary for processing your claim.
In more detail, this could mean:
- Completion of Required Steps: If the VA was waiting on specific evidence, such as medical records or the results of a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, and they have received it, the claim can now move forward. The VA is essentially saying that they no longer need to take any extra steps that might have delayed your claim.
- Administrative Resolution: The VA might have initially flagged your claim for additional administrative actions (like correcting errors, processing forms, or verifying certain details). If they’ve now resolved those issues, the status would change to “no longer needed.”
- Change in Requirements: Sometimes, after further review, the VA may decide that the secondary action they originally thought was necessary isn’t needed after all. For example, they may have determined that the existing evidence is sufficient to move forward without needing more documentation or an additional medical opinion.
- Your VA Claim is Moving Forward: This status change is a positive sign, indicating that the VA is progressing with your claim. Now that the secondary actions are complete or no longer required, your claim will likely proceed to the next stages of review, decision, or preparation for rating.
In summary, “Secondary Action Required No Longer Needed” signifies that the VA has everything they need to process your claim further, and no additional actions are holding up the progress at this point.
This change in status means you don’t need to do anything else other than hurry up and wait.
What is the Meaning of VA Notice for Secondary Action Required is Closed?
When you see the status “VA Notice for Secondary Action Required is Closed,” it means that the VA has completed the necessary steps or received the required information needed to move your disability claim forward.
Essentially, the additional action the VA was waiting on is no longer needed, and the claim is progressing to the next phase of review or decision.
At this point, there is nothing more you need to do unless notified by the VA.
In simple terms: the VA has what it needs and can now continue processing your claim.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
In summary, seeing any kind of status around “Secondary Action Required VA Claim” means the VA is actively working on your case but needs additional evidence, documents, or actions before they can proceed.
While it can be frustrating, this is a common message and action to see in the various steps of the VA claims process.
Your role is important: responding promptly to any VA requests and attending C&P exams can help keep things on track and move your claim forward more quickly.
Keep an eye on your claim status, follow up on any required actions, and work closely with your Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to ensure you’re meeting deadlines and providing the necessary information.
Staying engaged in the process is one of the best ways to help ensure your claim is resolved as efficiently as possible.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
