What Is Deferred Rating
A deferred rating is a temporary status the VA assigns when it approves your claim for a service-connected condition but needs additional medical evidence before assigning a specific disability rating percentage. The VA issues a Rating Decision that explicitly states the condition is deferred, meaning you receive an effective date for the approval, but your monthly compensation amount remains undetermined until the rating is finalized.
When the VA Defers Ratings
The VA defers ratings in several common scenarios:
- Your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam was incomplete or inconclusive, and the VA needs follow-up medical documentation
- The condition requires a period of observation or treatment before a stable rating can be assigned (for example, post-surgical recovery or newly diagnosed conditions)
- Your Compensation and Pension examiner noted conflicting medical evidence requiring clarification
- The VA lacks recent medical records from your private healthcare provider and requests updated documentation
- Your nexus letter or medical opinion does not sufficiently establish the link between your service and the claimed condition
What Happens During Deferment
When your rating is deferred, the VA sets a future date, typically 6 to 12 months from the effective date, when it will schedule a follow-up C&P exam or review additional evidence. You are not entitled to receive compensation at a specific rate during the deferment period unless you have other approved conditions. Some veterans mistakenly believe deferred means denied, which is incorrect. A deferred rating is an approval, not a rejection.
The VA's duty to assist applies during deferment. This means the VA should request necessary records from the Department of Defense, your VA medical file, or private providers. However, you should proactively submit any new medical evidence, treatment records, or statements in support of your claim. Waiting passively often delays resolution.
How to Respond to a Deferred Rating
- Request the Rating Decision in writing: Ensure you understand exactly which condition is deferred and what evidence the VA says it needs
- Gather updated medical records: Obtain recent treatment notes, imaging results, or surgical reports that document your condition's severity
- Consider obtaining a new nexus letter: If the VA's concern is the service connection itself, have your treating VA physician or a private medical provider write a detailed nexus letter addressing the VA's specific questions
- Work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO): A VSO can monitor your case, request status updates, and ensure the VA sends the follow-up C&P exam notice
- Mark your calendar: Note the deferral date and contact the VA 60 days before the scheduled re-evaluation to confirm the appointment
Deferment and the Appeals Process
You cannot appeal a deferred rating because it is not a final rating decision. You can file a Notice of Disagreement only after the VA issues a final rating. However, if the VA fails to schedule a follow-up exam within a reasonable timeframe or requests unreasonable evidence, you can file a request for immediate rating based on the evidence of record or request Duty to Assist assistance from your VSO.
Common Questions
- Do I receive compensation while my rating is deferred? No, unless you have other approved conditions with assigned ratings. Compensation begins only when the VA assigns a specific percentage rating after the deferment period ends.
- How long does a deferment typically last? Most deferments last 6 to 12 months, but this depends on the complexity of your condition and the VA's workload. Some complex cases may take longer.
- Can I request an immediate rating before the deferment period ends? Yes. If you have substantial medical evidence showing the condition's severity, you can request an immediate rating decision and ask the VA to consider all evidence in your file without waiting for the follow-up exam.