Choosing a decision review option
If you disagree with a VA benefit decision, you can choose from 3 decision review options to continue your case: a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal. Keep reading on this page to find out which option is right for you.
Which decision review option is right for me?
Option 1: If you have new evidence
File a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence that we didn’t consider before. We can help you gather any new evidence you identify (such as medical records) to support your claim.
A reviewer will decide if this new evidence changes the decision.
To file a Supplemental Claim, fill out VA Form 20-0995.
Get VA Form 20-0995 to download
Learn more about Supplemental Claims and how to file
For disability compensation claims, you can also file a Supplemental Claim online.
Note: You can also submit new evidence with certain types of Board Appeals. Keep reading on this page to learn about Board Appeals.
Option 2: If you believe there’s an error in your case—and you don’t have new evidence
Request a Higher-Level Review if you believe there’s an error with the decision on your claim.
A higher-level reviewer will review the decision. This reviewer will consider the same evidence as before. They can’t consider any new evidence.
Note: You can request an optional, one-time, informal conference with a higher-level reviewer to identify specific errors in the case. If you request an informal conference, this may delay the review.
To request a Higher-Level Review, fill out VA Form 20-0996.
Get VA Form 20-0996 to download
Learn more about Higher-Level Reviews and how to request a review
For disability compensation claims, you can also request a Higher-Level Review online.
Option 3: If you want the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to review your case
Request a Board Appeal if you want a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to review your case.
When you fill out the form, you’ll need to request the type of review you want from the Board:
- Direct Review, if you don’t want to submit evidence or have a hearing
- Evidence Submission, if you want to submit additional evidence without a hearing
- Hearing, if you want to have a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge (with or without new evidence)
You can request a Board Appeal online right now.
You can also request a Board Appeal by filling out VA Form 10182.
More questions you may have about your options
This depends on the type of benefit. Here are our goals for benefits that aren't related to health care.
- For Supplemental Claims: Our goal is an average of 125 days (4 to 5 months).
- For Higher-Level Reviews: Our goal is an average of 125 days (4 to 5 months).
- For Board Appeals: Our goal is to process appeals on the Direct Review docket within an average of 365 days (1 year). Our goal averages are longer for appeals on the Evidence Submission and Hearing dockets.