What Is VARO
VARO stands for VA Regional Office. It's the local Veterans Affairs facility in your geographic area responsible for processing disability claims, rating decisions, and managing ongoing veterans benefits. There are 57 VAROs across the United States, plus regional offices in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Your claim gets assigned to the VARO that covers your state or territory.
The VARO is where your C&P exam results are reviewed, where rating specialists evaluate your medical evidence, and where your Rating Decision ultimately gets issued. If you appeal, your case returns to the same VARO for reconsideration unless you escalate to the Veterans Benefits Administration Appeals Division.
What VARO Does in Your Claim
- Receives and logs your claim: When you file VA Form 21-0966 or submit electronically through VA.gov, the VARO is your entry point into the system.
- Schedules your C&P exam: The VARO contracts with private medical providers (QTC, VES, or regional VA medical centers) to schedule your Compensation & Pension exam. Processing times vary by location, typically 60 to 90 days from filing to exam date.
- Reviews medical evidence: Rating specialists at the VARO compare your C&P exam results, treatment records, nexus letters, and VA medical history against the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR 4.1 through 4.114).
- Issues the Rating Decision: The VARO sends you a written decision with your assigned disability rating, effective date, and monthly compensation amount. This document is legally binding unless appealed.
- Handles correspondence: Appeals, supplemental claims, and requests for reconsideration go through your VARO first. Response times are governed by the Veterans Benefits Administration appeals modernization rules implemented in 2019.
Timelines and Processing Standards
VARO processing times fluctuate based on caseload and complexity. As of 2024, the average time to process a disability claim is 125 days from filing to rating decision, though high-volume VAROs like Los Angeles and New York can take 180+ days. Supplemental claims typically move faster (30 to 60 days) because they don't require a new C&P exam.
VAROs must follow 38 CFR 3.156, which requires them to notify you of missing evidence within 30 days of receipt. You then have 30 days to submit additional documentation like buddy statements, private medical records, or a nexus letter from your civilian doctor.
Working With Your VARO
- Know your VARO contact information: Find it on your claim paperwork or at VA.gov. Keep the case number handy when you call or write.
- Use a VSO (Veterans Service Officer): VSOs from organizations like the American Legion, DAV, or VFW have direct lines to VARO staff and can expedite information requests at no cost.
- Submit a nexus letter before rating: A nexus letter from a physician or mental health provider directly addresses whether your condition is service-connected. Submitting this before your C&P exam gives the VARO rating specialist your argument upfront.
- Expect detailed requests: If evidence is incomplete, the VARO will ask you to obtain records from employers, colleges, or private providers. Respond within the 30-day window to avoid claim delays.
- Review your Rating Decision carefully: The decision cites the specific CFR regulation used to assign your rating percentage. If you disagree, you have one year to file a Rating Decision appeal or supplemental claim with new evidence.
Common Questions
- Can I call my VARO directly to ask about my claim status? VAROs have limited phone staffing and typically don't provide detailed status updates by phone. Instead, check VA.gov's "Check Your Claim Status" tool, or contact a VSO who has dedicated VARO liaison contacts and can get answers faster.
- What happens if my VARO makes an error in my rating decision? You can file a supplemental claim with new medical evidence, or file a higher-level review requesting the same VARO to reconsider based on the evidence already in your file. If you believe the rating is legally incorrect, appeal to the Veterans Benefits Administration Appeals Division.
- Do all VAROs rate claims the same way? VAROs follow the same Schedule for Rating Disabilities, but individual rating specialists may interpret complex cases differently. This is why VARO location can subtly influence outcomes in borderline cases. A VSO can help you present your case in ways that resonate with your specific VARO's standards.
Related Concepts
Understanding VARO is foundational to navigating the claims process. These related terms will help you see how your Regional Office fits into the larger disability benefits system and what happens after your claim is processed: