Decisions, Reviews and Appeals
Understanding VAC decisions, departmental reviews, and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board process.
Orientation
Understanding VAC decisions, departmental reviews, and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board process.
Who this hub may help
Common situations that lead someone here
- You received a decision letter and want to understand it
- You are considering a departmental review
- You are preparing for a VRAB review or appeal
- You want to understand your options after a denial
Boundary: VANCA helps you understand the process. VAC, the Bureau of Pensions Advocates, and VRAB make the decisions.
Most Useful Starting Points
Recommended pages
Relevant tools
Related Programs
Departmental Review / VRAB Review and Appeal
Verified: 2026-07-18
Critical Injury Benefit
Verified: 2026-07-18
Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS)
CFIS
Verified: 2026-07-18
Veteran Emergency Fund
Verified: 2026-07-18
Education and Training Benefit (ETB)
ETB
Verified: 2026-07-18
Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB)
CRB
Verified: 2026-07-18
Visual Program Map
Appeal Map
How a VAC decision may be reviewed and appealed.
View as text list
- VAC Decision may lead to Clarification or Missing Info
- VAC Decision may provide a review route Departmental Review
- Departmental Review may lead to BPA Assessment
- BPA Assessment may lead to VRAB Review
- VRAB Review may provide a review route VRAB Appeal
- VRAB Appeal may be considered alongside Reconsideration or Judicial Review
Arrows show possible relationships, not guaranteed outcomes. Only the responsible organization determines eligibility.
What Usually Happens Next?
What Usually Happens Next?
- 1
Explore the recommended starting points
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Review program cards and guides
- 2
Gather relevant documents
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Use the document checklist
Document Checklist - 3
Review related programs
Responsible: Responsible organizations
Possible following step: Check eligibility criteria
- 4
Contact the responsible organization or request support
Responsible: You
Possible following step: Submit applications or ask questions
This sequence is educational. The actual process depends on the responsible organization's decision. Approval is not an inevitable next step.
Decision Tree
I received a disability decision — what type of next step may apply?
Understanding your decision letter is the first step. This tree helps you think about what may come next.
What was the outcome of the decision?
Verified Timelines
SISIP / CAF LTD — Application Deadline
DeadlineApply no later than 120 days after release
Application is encouraged at disclosure or before release. Apply no later than 120 days after release.
Starts when: Release date
Responsible: SISIP / Manulife
Source checked: 2026-07-26
SISIP / CAF LTD — Initial Medical-Release Benefit Period
Benefit periodUp to 24 months after release
The initial medical-release benefit period is up to 24 months after release, with continuation possible where the applicable total-disability requirements continue to be met.
Starts when: Release date
Continuation depends on total-disability requirements continuing to be met.
Responsible: SISIP / Manulife
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Disability First Application or Reassessment
Decision aimed for within
16 weeks
How long does VAC aim to take?
Veterans Affairs Canada aims to issue a decision on a complete first disability-benefit application within 16 weeks, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once complete application and necessary documents received. VAC considers the application complete and has the required information.
Some files take longer. Time spent gathering evidence may not be included. Complex cases and evidence gathering may take longer.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 47 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 16 weeks.
Approximately 53 out of every 100 took longer than 16 weeks.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
While waiting
Ensure all required documents and evidence are included with the application.
How this was measured
The published target is that 80% of applications receive a decision within 16 weeks.The annual result covers the 2024-25 reporting period.
Official source
VAC Service Standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
VAC Departmental Review — Disability Decision
Service standard12 weeks
The published service standard is 12 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Request for Departmental Review received
Complex cases and evidence gathering may take longer.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Additional Pain and Suffering Compensation
Service standard16 weeks
The published service standard is 16 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application and necessary documents received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Rehabilitation Eligibility
Service standard2 weeks
The published service standard is 2 weeks for the eligibility decision.
Starts when: Complete application received
The decision timeline is different from the time needed to arrange assessments, providers and actual services.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
VAC Income Replacement Benefit and Canadian Forces Income Support
Service standard4 weeks
The published service standard is 4 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Career Transition Services
Service standard4 weeks
The published service standard is 4 weeks. The department aims to process 80% within this standard.
Starts when: Complete application received
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Education and Training Benefit
Service standardUp to 4 weeks per stage; up to 8 weeks total
Each complete application stage takes up to 4 weeks. The two-stage process (eligibility plus education/training plan) may total up to 8 weeks.
Starts when: Complete application received
Applications may be submitted before release, but VAC does not process them until official release or transfer to the Supplementary Reserve. VAC does not recommend submitting more than six months before release.
Responsible: VAC
Source checked: 2026-07-26
CPP Disability
Service standardWithin 120 calendar days after application
The published target is a decision within 120 calendar days after application, with faster priority processing in defined situations.
Starts when: Application received
Responsible: Service Canada
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Disability Tax Credit
Decision aimed for within
8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201
How long does CRA aim to take?
the Canada Revenue Agency aims to issue a Disability Tax Credit decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once cra receives form t2201.
The standard does not apply where CRA must request additional information.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 38 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
Approximately 62 out of every 100 took longer than 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
Recent update
During June 2026, approximately 89 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 8 weeks after CRA receives Form T2201.
The annual number covers the full 2024-25 fiscal year. The June 2026 number covers one month, so the two periods should not be treated as identical.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
Official source
CRA — Disability Tax Credit application process and service standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
Bureau of Pensions Advocates
Service standardWithin 21 weeks from first contact
The published standard is that the case is ready for hearing within 21 weeks from first contact.
Starts when: First contact with BPA
Excluding delays obtaining required evidence.
Responsible: BPA
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Veterans Review and Appeal Board — Review
Decision aimed for within
16 weeks after case is ready to be heard
How long does VRAB aim to take?
The Board aims to issue a Review decision within 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once applicant or representative states the case is ready to be heard.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 98 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard.
Approximately 2 out of every 100 took longer than 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
Official source
VRAB — Review and Appeal processes and service standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
Veterans Review and Appeal Board — Appeal
Decision aimed for within
16 weeks after case is ready to be heard
How long does VRAB aim to take?
The Board aims to issue an Appeal decision within 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard, once it has the information needed to begin processing.
This period begins once applicant or representative states the case is ready to be heard.
How often was that timeframe met?
During 2024-25, approximately 26 out of every 100 applications received a decision within 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard.
Approximately 74 out of every 100 took longer than 16 weeks after case is ready to be heard.
What these numbers mean
These percentages measure processing speed. They do not show how many applications were approved or denied.
Possible delays
Applications may take longer when information is missing, additional evidence is requested, the file is complex or the organization is experiencing a high volume of applications.
Official source
VRAB — Review and Appeal processes and service standards
Checked: 2026-07-26
Reporting period: 2024-25
Post-Release Transition Phase
Planning windowRelease date through two years after release
The official medical-release transition framework describes the post-release phase as extending through the first two years.
Responsible: DND/CAF
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Intended Place of Residence Move
DeadlineWithin two years after release
Most eligible relocation expenses must generally be incurred within two years after release, subject to the applicable directive and exceptions.
Starts when: Release date
Subject to the applicable CAF relocation directive and exceptions.
Responsible: CAF
Source checked: 2026-07-26
Common Mistakes
Writing only that the decision is unfair.
Not identifying the exact error or missing evidence.
Using reassessment evidence to challenge an old decision without clarifying the issue.
Missing the deadline.
Submitting duplicate records with no explanation.
Assuming a departmental review includes an oral hearing.
Trying to present every life event instead of the disputed legal and factual issues.
Submitting unexplained medical records.
Giving testimony outside personal knowledge.
Waiting too long to contact BPA.
Assuming an appeal guarantees a different result.
Treating judicial review as another ordinary appeal.
Focusing only on permanent disability instead of the immediate acute impact.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Failing to identify one sudden incident.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Using later symptoms without documenting the immediate severe impairment.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Assuming other VAC awards prove CIB eligibility.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Missing operational reports, hospitalization records or intensive-care evidence.
From: Critical Injury Benefit
Missing the application window.
Reporting only personal income and not required household income.
Assuming IRB automatically converts to CFIS.
Not documenting job-search activity.
Failing to report income changes.
Not checking interactions with provincial programs.
Decisions and Appeals Document Checklist
These documents may help you prepare for a review or appeal. Keep copies of everything you submit. The Bureau of Pensions Advocates may be able to help.
Decision documents
Original VAC decision letter
Always requiredShows the decision being reviewed.
Statement of Reasons
Always requiredExplains the basis for the decision.
Departmental Review decision
Sometimes helpfulShows the review outcome.
New or additional evidence
New medical reports
Sometimes helpfulMay support your case for review.
Updated functional assessments
Sometimes helpfulMay show changed circumstances.
Additional service records
Situation-specificMay support the service connection.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Store sensitive records securely and share them only through an approved method with the organization that requires them.