Development is the phase where the VA gathers all the evidence it needs to make a decision on your claim. Think of it as the investigation phase. The VA collects your medical records, service records, schedules any needed examinations, and requests any other evidence relevant to your claim.
Development typically begins shortly after your claim is established in the system. The VA reviews what evidence is already in the file, identifies gaps, and takes action to fill those gaps. This might include requesting your service treatment records from the National Personnel Records Center, obtaining your VA medical records from treatment facilities, contacting private medical providers you identified, scheduling a C&P exam, or sending you a letter asking for specific information.
The development phase is usually the longest part of the claims process. It depends on third parties responding to requests, which the VA cannot fully control. Service records requests can take weeks or months. Private medical records require your authorization and may take multiple attempts. C&P exam scheduling depends on examiner availability in your area.
You can actively participate in development to speed things up. Submit all evidence you have as early as possible. Respond to VA development letters promptly. If you know the VA is trying to obtain records from a private provider, call the provider yourself and ask them to respond quickly. Submit buddy statements and personal statements without waiting for the VA to ask.
You can check the development status of your claim on VA.gov. If your claim has been in the development phase for an unusually long time, your VSO representative can contact the VA to find out what specific evidence is being waited on and whether there are any actions you can take to move things forward.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).