VA decision reviews and appeals 


Mark your calendar 
You have 1 year from the date on your decision to request a decision review, unless you have a fiduciary claim or a multiple party claim. See if one of these rare situations applies to you 

Decision review options 
Add new and relevant evidence file a Supplemental Claim Ask for a new look from a senior reviewer request a Higher - Level Review Appeal to a Veterans Law Judge request a Board Appeal 

Add new and relevant evidence 
Download VA Form 20 - 0995: Supplemental Claim PDF When you choose to file a Supplemental Claim , you re adding new evidence that supportsyour case or identifying evidence for review. A reviewer will look at all the evidence anddetermine whether it changes the decision. Learn how to file a Supplemental Claim 

Can I file a Supplemental Claim? 
You can file a Supplemental Claim within 1 year of a decision if you have new evidence. But you can t file a Supplemental Claim if you have a fiduciary claim or you re one of multiple people claiming the same benefit this is rare. See if one of these rare situations applies to you 

Ask for a new look from a senior reviewer 
Download VA Form 20 - 0996: Higher - Level Review PDF When you choose to request a Higher - Level Review , you re asking for another review of the same evidence. A seniorreviewer will take another look at your case and determinewhether the decision can be changed based on a difference of opinion or an error that VA made. Learn how to request a Higher - Level Review 

Can I request a Higher-Level Review? 
You can request a Higher - Level Review of an initial claim or Supplemental Claimdecision. This option isn t available after a Higher - Level Review or Board Appeal. 

Appeal to a Veterans Law Judge 
Download VA Form 10182: Board Appeal PDF A judge at the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C., will review your case. Learn more about how to request a Board Appeal 

Can I request a Board Appeal? 
You can request a Board

user: Hello. I need to know what to do to request a review from a senior reviewer.

assistant: For more information on this you should download VA Form 20-0996: Higher - Level Review (PDF).

assistant: Do you want to request a higher-level review?

user: No, at least not right now.

user: This is more about evidence. Evidence we didn't have before, my case has been decided this way, because we weren't able to provide the evidence that was needed. Now we finally dug it up. Can I add it to the case?

assistant: Of course. When you're adding new evidence that supports your case, a reviewer will look at all the evidence and determine whether it changes the decision.

user: What if I have more questions about the process?

assistant: You can easily get answers to frequently asked questions about decision reviews, just visit our FAQs.

user: On your page, yes. I've read them before, they are very helpful. But they didn't mention what would happen if I requested another review. Can you explain this to me, please?

assistant: Gladly. You could ask for another review of the same evidence. A senior reviewer will take another look at your case and determine whether the decision can be changed based on a difference of opinion or an error that VA made.

user: What if I just request a board appeal?

assistant: You can request a Board Appeal after an initial claim, supplemental claim, or higher-level review decision. You can't request 2 Board Appeals in a row.