We Closed the Notice for Secondary Action Required – VA Notice

Veterans checking their VA claim status may see a message stating “we closed the notice for secondary action required”.

This update can lead to confusion, especially when trying to understand what secondary action was needed and why it is no longer required. In this article, we’ll explain the meaning behind this status, why secondary action may no longer be required, and what steps to take if your claim has been closed.

What is Secondary Action in a VA Claim?

A secondary action in a VA claim refers to any additional steps or evidence that the VA needs to make a final decision on the claim. This could include:

• Further medical exams: The VA may have required additional medical examinations, such as a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, to gather more information about the veteran’s condition.
• Additional documentation: The VA might have needed more service records or medical records to determine the validity of the claim.

When you see secondary action required on your claim status, it means that the VA has been waiting for this additional step to be completed before they can continue processing the claim.

Learn more about how the VA handles secondary actions in claims from the VA’s guide to claim reviews.

AI Powered Chatbot for VA Disability Claims

Learn more about the VA Disability process and get help with our VA Disability Claim Chatbot programmed and trained by AI

We Closed the Notice for Secondary Action Required: Meaning

If the VA updates your claim status to “we closed the notice for secondary action required,” it generally means that the VA has completed or no longer requires the additional actions that were initially needed to process the claim. This could happen for several reasons:

• The required actions were completed: If the veteran completed a medical exam or submitted the necessary documents, the VA may close the notice and move forward with the claim.
• The VA determined no further action was necessary: In some cases, the VA may decide that additional steps are not required to make a decision, possibly due to receiving sufficient evidence elsewhere.

If your claim was closed with this notice, it typically indicates that your case is progressing and that the VA is moving towards a final decision.

What Does “Secondary Action No Longer Needed” Mean?

When the VA states that secondary action is no longer needed, it means that the VA has determined that the additional steps or information originally requested are no longer required. This could happen if:

• The veteran provided enough evidence: If the VA received adequate medical records or service documentation, they may no longer require the secondary action that was previously pending.
• The veteran’s condition no longer needs review: In some cases, if a veteran’s condition has stabilized or if the VA has enough medical information, they may not require further exams.

For more insights on this status, check out this Reddit discussion, where veterans share their experiences with this claim update.

What to Do If Your VA Claim is Closed

If your VA claim has been closed with the status “we closed the notice for secondary action required”, here are some steps you can take:

1. Check your claim status: Use the VA’s claim tracking tool to monitor your claim and see if a final decision has been made.
2. Contact the VA: If you are unsure about why the secondary action is no longer required, contact the VA for clarification.
3. Wait for a decision letter: Once secondary actions are closed, the VA will often proceed with a final decision. Wait for an official letter detailing the outcome.

If your claim is closed and you disagree with the VA’s decision, you can appeal or request a Higher-Level Review. For more on navigating VA reviews, visit how often is VA disability reviewed.

When the VA updates your claim with the status “we closed the notice for secondary action required,” it means that any additional steps or documents initially requested are no longer needed. This typically indicates progress in the claim, either because the required action was completed or because it was determined to be unnecessary. Veterans can continue to monitor their claim or reach out to the VA for further clarification if needed.

Use the VA Disability Calculator to estimate your benefits based on your rating.