Appeals guide

If the VA denied all or part of your claim, you have three paths under the Appeals Modernization Act. Each has a one-year window from the decision date.

Higher-Level Review (HLR)

A more senior VA adjudicator reviews the same record. No new evidence allowed. Useful when you think the original decision misapplied the law or the existing evidence. Processing: typically 4-6 months.

Supplemental Claim

You submit new and relevant evidence. VA must readjudicate considering the new evidence. Best path when you have a new medical opinion, nexus letter, or buddy statement. Processing: typically 4-5 months.

Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA)

You appeal to the Board. You can choose: (a) direct review (no new evidence, no hearing - fastest), (b) evidence submission (90-day window to add evidence), or (c) hearing (a Veterans Law Judge hears your case via videoconference). Processing: 12-36 months.

Grant rates matter

• Attorney-represented BVA grant rate: 40.9 percent
• VSO-represented: 36.2 percent
• Self-filed: 25.4 percent

Representation adds 11 to 15 percentage points on average. That is real money.

Our role in appeals

When you escalate to Appeals, a VA-accredited agent or attorney on our team signs a fee agreement with you under 38 CFR 14.636. The fee is 20 percent of past-due benefits, VA direct-paid. No fee if no win. The agreement is filed with the VA Office of General Counsel within 30 days.