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Choosing a decision review option

If you disagree with a VA decision dated on or after February 19, 2019, you can choose from 3 decision review options to continue your case: a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal. You can request only one decision review per issue at a time. Keep reading on this page to find out which option is right for you. 

Which decision review option is right for me?

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.

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.

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. You can’t submit any new evidence.

A higher-level reviewer will review your decision again. This reviewer will consider the same evidence that you already submitted.

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.

Request a Higher-Level Review online

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.

Request a Board Appeal online

You can also request a Board Appeal by filling out VA Form 10182. 

Get VA Form 10182 to download

Learn more about Board Appeals and how to request a review

What if I miss the deadline to request a review?

For Higher-Level Reviews and Board Appeals, the deadline is 1 year from the date on your original decision letter.

If you miss the deadline for these review types, your only option is a Supplemental Claim. You’ll need to submit new and relevant evidence with your claim.

How long does a decision review take?

Supplemental Claim

Our goal is an average of 125 days (4 to 5 months).

Higher-Level Review

Our goal is an average of 125 days (4 to 5 months).

Board Appeal

Our goal is an average of 365 days (1 year) for a direct review. The average is longer for an evidence submission or a hearing.

What if I disagree with your decision review?

You can request another review. 

After a Supplemental Claim

You may request another Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal.

After a Higher-Level Review

You may request a Supplemental Claim or a Board Appeal.

After a Board Appeal

You may request a Supplemental Claim or appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

VA benefits

  • Decision reviews and appeals

    If you disagree with a VA claim decision, you can request a decision review. Decision review replaces the old ("legacy") VA appeals process.

Need more help?

  • VA benefits hotline:
  • MyVA411 main information line:
  • Telecommunications Relay Services (using TTY) TTY: 711