VA Appeal Guide for Denied Claims

If VA denied your disability claim or assigned a rating you believe is too low, you may have options. This guide explains the main VA appeal and decision review paths in plain English.

Before choosing a review option, read your VA decision letter carefully, identify why the claim was denied, and decide whether you need new evidence or a review of the existing record.

Supplemental Claim Higher-Level Review Board Appeal Evidence Deadlines

First Step: Read the VA Decision Letter

A denied claim is frustrating, but the decision letter is your starting point. It usually explains what VA decided, what evidence VA reviewed, and why the claim was denied.

What to Look For

  • The condition VA denied or rated lower than expected
  • The evidence VA said it reviewed
  • The reason for denial or the reason for the rating percentage
  • Whether VA said a diagnosis was missing
  • Whether VA said the condition was not connected to service
  • Whether VA said evidence did not show the required severity
  • The deadline for asking VA to review the decision

Tip: Do not guess at the appeal strategy. Match your next step to the reason VA gave. If VA says evidence is missing, a Supplemental Claim may make more sense. If VA made an error using evidence already in the file, a Higher-Level Review may be worth considering.

Three Common VA Review Options

1. Supplemental Claim

A Supplemental Claim lets you submit new and relevant evidence for VA to review. This may be the right path if you have new medical records, service records, buddy statements, private treatment notes, or a medical opinion that VA did not previously consider.

Common form: VA Form 20-0995

VA Review Options

2. Higher-Level Review

A Higher-Level Review asks a more senior VA reviewer to look at the decision again. This option generally does not allow new evidence, so it is usually used when you believe VA made a mistake based on the evidence already in the file.

Common form: VA Form 20-0996

Higher-Level Review

3. Board Appeal

A Board Appeal sends the case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. This route may be appropriate for more complex disagreements or when you want review by a Veterans Law Judge. It can also take longer than other options.

Common form: VA Form 10182

Board Appeal

How to Think About Which Option Fits

Choose Supplemental Claim When…

  • You have new medical evidence
  • You have new service records or personnel records
  • You have a new buddy statement or spouse statement
  • You have a new private medical opinion
  • VA denied the claim because evidence was missing

Choose Higher-Level Review When…

  • You believe VA overlooked evidence already submitted
  • You believe VA applied the wrong rule
  • You do not need to submit new evidence
  • You want a senior reviewer to look again
  • The issue is more about VA’s interpretation than missing records

Choose Board Appeal When…

  • The disagreement is complex
  • You want review by a Veterans Law Judge
  • You are prepared for a longer process
  • You need one of the Board appeal lanes
  • You have reviewed whether another review option may be faster

Get Help When…

  • You do not understand the decision letter
  • You have multiple denied conditions
  • Your effective date seems wrong
  • You received a rating lower than expected
  • You are close to a deadline

Evidence That May Help an Appeal

The best evidence depends on why VA denied the claim. If VA said there was no current diagnosis, updated medical records may matter. If VA said the condition was not connected to service, service records, lay statements, or a medical opinion may matter. If VA gave a low rating, evidence showing severity and functional impact may be important.

  • Updated VA or private medical records
  • Service treatment records or personnel records
  • Buddy statements from people who witnessed events or symptoms
  • Spouse or family statements explaining changes in daily life
  • A personal statement explaining symptoms, timeline, and impact
  • Medical opinions explaining connection to service
  • Employment records or work restrictions, when relevant
Get Medical Records Guide Statement in Support Guide

Common Appeal Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the Deadline

Decision letters include deadlines. Missing a deadline can affect your review options, your effective date, or potential back pay. Put the deadline on your calendar as soon as you receive the decision.

Choosing the Wrong Lane

If you have new evidence, a Higher-Level Review may not be the best path because new evidence usually cannot be added. Match the review option to the problem you are trying to fix.

Submitting Unorganized Evidence

Upload relevant records with clear file names. A pile of unrelated documents can make the claim harder to review and may not address the actual reason for denial.

Ignoring the Reason for Denial

Do not appeal blindly. If VA denied because of no diagnosis, weak service connection, or limited severity evidence, your next step should directly address that problem.

VA Decision Reviews

Official VA overview of decision review options after a benefits decision.

VA Decision Reviews

Supplemental Claim

Official VA information about Supplemental Claims and how new and relevant evidence works.

Supplemental Claim

Board Appeal

Official VA information about Board Appeals and review by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Board Appeal

Next Step After a Denied Claim

Start by reading your decision letter, identifying the reason for denial, gathering relevant evidence, and choosing the review option that fits your situation.

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Disclaimer: MyVetResources is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any government agency. This page is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, medical, financial, or official VA claims advice. Always verify current requirements through VA.gov or an accredited representative.

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