Appeals (AMA System)
VA denied your claim or under-rated you? The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) created three appeal lanes. Pick the right one.
Pick your lane
Supplemental Claim
You have new and relevant evidence that VA did not previously consider. Average decision: ~61 days.
Form 20-0995 · Best for: new nexus letter, new buddy statement, new diagnosis, new PACT Act eligibility.
Lane 2Higher-Level Review
No new evidence. A senior reviewer at a different Regional Office reviews the same record. Includes optional informal conference. Average: ~125 days.
Form 20-0996 · Best for: VA misapplied the law, missed a presumption, ignored painful motion principle.
Lane 3Board Appeal
A Board of Veterans Appeals judge reviews. Three sublanes (Direct Review, Evidence Submission, Hearing). Average: 12–24+ months.
Form 10182 · Best for: complex cases, judge review needed, hearing required.
Decision tree
- Do you have new evidence to submit? → Supplemental Claim (Lane 1)
- No new evidence, but the existing record supports your case and VA got the law wrong? → Higher-Level Review (Lane 2)
- Need a Board judge to review (complex case, hearing needed, or HLR/Supplemental didn't work)? → Board Appeal (Lane 3)
- Suspect VA made an undebatable error of law in an OLD decision (any age)? → Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) — no time limit but hard to win pro se
Before you appeal — pull your C-File
Most denials are based on documents the veteran has never seen — particularly C&P exam reports. Before filing any appeal, request your complete C-File via Form 20-10206 (FOIA/Privacy Act Request). The C-File is free to you. Allow several weeks for delivery.
Want help?
Appeals are where attorney representation often pays for itself. Attorneys can charge a fee only after an initial denial, and only as a percentage of past-due benefits (back pay) — never on future monthly compensation. For complex cases or large potential back-pay awards, consult an accredited attorney.