Decision reviews
What can I do after a VA claim denial or other decision I disagree with?
VA provides several decision-review paths. A Supplemental Claim is generally the path for adding or identifying new and relevant evidence. A Higher-Level Review asks a more senior reviewer to review the existing record for an error or difference of opinion and does not accept new evidence. A Board Appeal is another option with separate review choices. The right path depends on the decision, evidence, timing, and issue.
Supplemental Claim
VA says a Supplemental Claim may be used after a prior decision when you have new and relevant evidence to submit or identify, or when a change in law supports review of a newly presumptive condition.
For many benefit decisions, filing within one year can matter to preserving an effective-date path. Check the decision letter and current VA instructions before relying on a deadline.
Higher-Level Review
A Higher-Level Review asks a higher-level reviewer to examine the existing record. VA states that you cannot submit new evidence with this review option.
For many claims, VA requires the Higher-Level Review request within one year of the decision. A reviewer may uphold the decision, change it, or identify a duty-to-assist error that VA must correct.
How Supplemental Claim and Higher-Level Review differ
- New and relevant evidence: Supplemental Claim can consider it; Higher-Level Review does not accept it.
- Reviewer: Higher-Level Review uses a more senior reviewer; Supplemental Claim is a new review that considers the qualifying new evidence or legal change.
- Forms: VA Form 20-0995 is the Supplemental Claim form; VA Form 20-0996 is the Higher-Level Review form.
- Other options: a Board Appeal may also be available depending on the decision and timing.
Use the decision letter as the control point
The decision letter identifies the issues decided and explains available review rights. Do not choose a review lane only because another Veteran used it in a different case.
An accredited VSO representative, claims agent, or attorney can help evaluate the procedural choice for an individual case.