The three VA decision review options, explained
Under the Appeals Modernization Act, if you disagree with a VA decision you generally choose among three review lanes: a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board appeal.
Which lane fits depends on your evidence, why you were denied, and timing strategy — a judgment that belongs to an accredited representative. This guide explains what each lane is; it does not recommend one.
What to look for on this letter
- Whether you have new and relevant evidence to add — the defining feature of a Supplemental Claim.
- Whether you want a senior reviewer to re-examine the same evidence — a Higher-Level Review.
- Whether you want a Veterans Law Judge to decide — a Board appeal, with its own docket choices.
- The deadline printed on the underlying decision, usually one year from its date.
The rules behind it, with sources
These are the sourced rules ServiceRecord uses when it reads this kind of letter. Deadlines are described as the regulations structure them — your own letter's printed dates always control.
The three AMA decision review lanes
Since February 19, 2019 (the Appeals Modernization Act), a veteran dissatisfied with a VA decision has three review options: Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, and Board Appeal. Each generally must be requested within one year of the date on the decision notice. Lanes can be used in sequence, with limits.
Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996): a more senior reviewer takes a fresh look at the same evidence. You may NOT submit new evidence in this lane. You may request an informal conference to point out errors. Typical fit described by VA: you believe VA made an error with the evidence it already had.
Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995): you add new and relevant evidence VA did not have before, and VA has a duty to assist in gathering it. If filed within one year of the decision, a grant generally preserves the original effective date (continuous pursuit).
Board Appeal (VA Form 10182, Notice of Disagreement): a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals reviews the decision. Three dockets: direct review (no new evidence, no hearing), evidence submission, or hearing. Board appeals generally take longer than the other two lanes.
The standard window to request any of the three lanes is one year from the date on the decision notice. The date that matters is the date printed on the letter, not the date you received it. Missing the window generally means a later grant gets a later effective date.
Which lane fits a particular case depends on what evidence exists, what the denial reason was, timing, and strategy. That judgment is exactly what VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, accredited agents, accredited attorneys) are trained and authorized to provide — and VSO help is free.
38 CFR §§ 14.626-14.637 (accreditation); VA Office of General Counsel
Terms to know
Have this letter in front of you? Decode it in plain language, free, with every deadline quoted from your own document.
Decode This LetterMore guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and does not replace what your own letter says. ServiceRecord is not a law firm and not accredited representatives. For your specific situation, a VSO or accredited representative can help — for free.