Skip to Content

After you request a decision review

When your review is complete, VA will mail you a decision packet that includes details about the decision on your case.

What should I do while I wait?

You don’t need to do anything unless VA sends you a letter asking for more information. If VA schedules any exams for you, be sure not to miss them.

If you requested a decision review and haven’t heard back from VA yet, please don’t request another review. Call VA at 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711).

If you’ve filed a request for a decision review, we may randomly select you to receive an email with a short, optional survey. If selected, you’ll get a survey about 10 days after we receive your request for a decision review. You aren’t required to fill it out, but your feedback will help us improve the new decision reviews process. It takes about 3 minutes to answer the questions. Please review your VA.gov profile to make sure we have your most recent email address.

Find out how to update your email address

Check your VA claim status

What if I need help?

A Veterans Service Organization or VA-accredited attorney or agent can help with any questions you have about decision reviews. 

Get help with decision reviews

Can I choose a different review option after I’ve submitted a form?

You may be able to switch your request to a different option. 

Note: If we already completed a Higher-Level Review for your case, you can’t request another Higher-Level Review. And if we already completed a Board Appeal for your case, you can’t request another Board Appeal.

If youve already submitted a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review

If we haven’t decided your Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review, you can switch to a new review option.

The deadline depends on which option you’re switching to:

  • You can switch to a Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal if you’re still within 1 year from the date on your decision letter. 
  • You can switch to a Supplemental Claim at any time. But we recommend switching within 1 year from the date on your decision letter.

To switch to a different review option, send us a signed letter that says you want to withdraw your original decision review request. Submit a new request for the review option you want. 

Learn more about decision review options

To switch after youve already submitted a Board Appeal

You can switch if both of these are true:

  • You haven’t submitted new evidence or had a hearing, and
  • The Board hasn’t decided your case

The deadline depends on which option you’re switching to:

  • You can switch to a Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal if you’re still within 1 year from the date on your decision letter. 
  • You can switch to a Supplemental Claim at any time. But we recommend switching within 1 year from the date on your decision letter.

To switch to a different review option, submit a new decision review request for the review option you want. Include a signed letter that says you want to withdraw your original Board Appeal request.

To switch to a different type of Board Appeal

You can switch if all of these are true:

  • You haven’t submitted new evidence or had a hearing, and
  • The Board hasn’t decided your case, and
  • You’re still within 1 year from the date on your original VA decision letter or 60 days from your original Board Appeal request, whichever is later

To switch to a different type of Board Appeal, submit a new Board Appeal request and select the type you want. You don’t need to withdraw your original request.

Learn more about Board Appeals

What if I have more questions?

Get answers to frequently asked questions about decision reviews. 

Go to FAQs about decision reviews