On April 19, 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a plan to expedite processing of disability claims older than one year. I’ll provide more information once the VA discloses the implimentation procedures; however, for those affected claims the VA will provide provisional Rating Decisions based upon the existing VA Claim record and permit one year for the claimant to submit additional information. After one year, the provisional Rating Decision will become final with the opportunity for the veteran to pursue the normal course of appeals.
More information can be found in the linked McClatchy Article.