Appeals
Forms and resources for appeals
25 resources in this category
Supplemental Claim Filing Guide (VA Form 20-0995)
How to file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence using VA Form 20-0995 after a denial or unfavorable rating decision.
Higher Level Review Request Guide (VA Form 20-0996)
Complete guide to requesting a Higher Level Review where a senior reviewer examines your claim for clear error.
Board of Veterans Appeals Guide (VA Form 10182)
How to appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals using VA Form 10182, including choosing your review lane and hearing options.
Notice of Disagreement Filing Guide
Guide to filing a Notice of Disagreement under the Appeals Modernization Act to initiate a Board appeal of your VA rating decision.
How to Request a Board Hearing
Step-by-step process for requesting a virtual or in-person hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Direct Review Lane Explained
Overview of the Direct Review lane at the Board of Veterans Appeals where a judge reviews your existing record without new evidence or a hearing.
Evidence Submission Lane Guide
How to use the Evidence Submission lane to submit additional evidence to the Board within 90 days of your appeal.
Hearing Request Lane Guide
Complete guide to the Hearing Request lane including scheduling, preparation, and what to expect during your BVA hearing.
Duty to Assist Error Appeal Guide
How to identify and appeal duty to assist errors where the VA failed to obtain records or provide adequate examinations.
Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) Claim Guide
How to file a CUE motion to challenge a final VA decision based on an obvious error in law or fact that would change the outcome.
Appeal Timeline and Status Tracking Worksheet
Printable worksheet to track appeal deadlines, submission dates, and current status across all decision review lanes.
Supplemental Claim New Evidence Checklist
Checklist of new and relevant evidence types that qualify for a Supplemental Claim filing after a VA denial.
HLR Informal Conference Preparation Guide
How to prepare for a Higher Level Review informal conference call, including key talking points and common errors to highlight.
BVA Hearing Testimony Preparation Worksheet
Worksheet to organize your testimony for a Board of Veterans Appeals hearing, including anticipated questions and evidence references.
Appeal Decision Review Options Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of Supplemental Claim, Higher Level Review, and Board Appeal to help you choose the right decision review path.
How to Respond to a Rating Decision
What to do after receiving a VA rating decision, including how to read the decision letter and evaluate your appeal options.
Denied Claim Next Steps Decision Tree
Decision tree worksheet to determine the best course of action after a VA claim denial based on your specific circumstances.
How to Get Your C-File for Appeals
Step-by-step guide to requesting your complete VA claims file (C-file) through FOIA or your representative for appeal preparation.
CAVC Appeal Overview Guide
Overview of appealing a Board decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, including deadlines and attorney requirements.
Statement of the Case Response Guide
How to review and respond to a Statement of the Case in the legacy appeals process to preserve your appeal rights.
Supplemental Statement of the Case Guide
Guide to understanding and responding to a Supplemental Statement of the Case when new evidence is added to a legacy appeal.
Appeal Deadline Calculator Worksheet
Worksheet to calculate critical appeal deadlines based on your decision date, including the one-year filing window and 90-day evidence periods.
Evidence Gap Analysis Worksheet
Worksheet to identify gaps in your evidence record and determine what additional documentation is needed for a successful appeal.
Medical Opinion Rebuttal Letter Template
Template for rebutting an inadequate or negative VA medical opinion with specific medical evidence and reasoning.
Rating Decision Analysis Worksheet
Structured worksheet to analyze each element of your VA rating decision and identify errors or areas for appeal.