I do know that the DFAS furnishes the audit results only once a month and that is around the 19th. The question regarding when the VA requests an audit has not been asked previously, at least to my knowledge. I would not be surprised if their notice to DFAS was once a month as well. Although you did not ask, VA payment of retro to retirees ranges from ~2 months (from receipt of audit) to more than 24 months. There have been reports of some retirees recently receiving their retro within a few months.
http://vets.yuku.com/topic/131877/How-long-does-it-take-the-VA-to-initiate-an-audit
If it fails to complete one of these actions within three years, in most situations the proverbial “ballgame” is over and it will be too late for the IRS to assert an additional tax liability for that year. The filing of an amended return does not extend the period in which an audit must take place. As you might expect, however, there are exceptions. The first exception involves a situation where a taxpayer, or a husband and wife on a joint return, fail to report 25% of their correct gross income.
https://taxblawg.net/2010/06/14/how-long-does-the-irs-have-to-audit-your-return/
The amount of time it takes for the actual audit to take place depends on the specific type of audit being performed, whether it is an individual or a business tax audit, and how thorough the records of the individual being audited are.
http://www.taxationlawfirms.com/legal-advice/tax/irs-tax-audits/how-does-tax-auditor-complete-audit
Once you file a return, the IRS has three years from the time the return was filed (or, April 15th of the year in which you file, if it is filed early) to conduct and complete an audit.
https://taxblawg.net/2010/06/14/how-long-does-the-irs-have-to-audit-your-return/
An audit may be conducted by mail or through an in-person interview and review of the taxpayer's records. The interview may be at an IRS office (office audit) or at the taxpayer's home, place of business, or accountant's office (field audit). The IRS will tell you what records are needed. Audits can result in no changes or changes. Any proposed changes to your return will be explained.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/irs-audits
An IRS audit is a review/examination of an organization's or individual's accounts and financial information to ensure information is being reported correctly, according to the tax laws, to verify the amount of tax reported is substantially correct.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/irs-audits
Watch our video series, Your Guide to an IRS Audit. The video series follows three taxpayers through the steps of an audit, from audit notification to audit closing, illustrates key points and answers important questions about the audit process in a series of 10 lessons.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/irs-audits
How Long Does The IRS Have To Audit Your Return? People are always asking how long the IRS can wait from the time you file your return to conduct an audit of your income and expenses. The simple, most definitive answer is “it all depends,” so let’s take a look at the rules.
https://taxblawg.net/2010/06/14/how-long-does-the-irs-have-to-audit-your-return/
How long does a tax auditor have to complete an audit? All tax audits must be completed within 3 years of the date the tax return was filed, unless the auditor has reached a settlement of agreement with the person being audited in order to extend the amount of time granted for the investigation of the tax return.
http://www.taxationlawfirms.com/legal-advice/tax/irs-tax-audits/how-does-tax-auditor-complete-audit
If the tax auditor assesses and applies a liability to a return after performing an audit, the amount of the liability must be paid in full as soon as possible, or interest and penalties may be applied to the amount due. If the amount cannot be paid in full, then an agreement on installment payments may be made.
http://www.taxationlawfirms.com/legal-advice/tax/irs-tax-audits/how-does-tax-auditor-complete-audit
how many days does it take to complete an audit
It takes 3 years of the date the tax return to complete an audit.