Ratings Prime

AI guide · instant answers 24/7
Hey! 👋 I'm Prime, our AI claims guide. Ask me anything about VA ratings — criteria, secondary claims, C&P exams — or tell me about your situation.
Protected by our Privacy Policy
Denied? Lowballed? You Have Options

VA Appeals in Plain English

A denial is not the end — most successful claims win on review. You have one year and three lanes. Picking the right one is half the battle.

20-Second Picker

Which Appeal Lane Fits Your Case?

The Three Lanes

  • Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995): for NEW evidence. The VA must help you get records (duty to assist). Usually resolves in months. The workhorse lane.
  • Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996): no new evidence — a senior reviewer re-examines the same file for errors. You can request a phone conference to point out exactly what they got wrong.
  • Board Appeal (VA Form 10182): a Veterans Law Judge. Three dockets — direct review (fastest), evidence submission, or a hearing. Strongest for judgment-call disputes; slowest timeline.

The Two Rules That Protect Your Money

  • The 1-year clock: act within one year of the decision and your effective date — and all the back pay tied to it — stays protected.
  • You can switch lanes: lose a Higher-Level Review? You can still file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence and keep the chain alive.

Common Questions

How long do I have to appeal?

One year from the decision date. Miss it and you can still file a Supplemental Claim later — but your effective date (and back pay) resets.

What actually wins appeals?

New and relevant evidence: a nexus letter, a diagnosis the VA said was missing, buddy statements, or pointing to a legal error like an inadequate C&P exam.

Send us the denial letter. On a free 15-minute call we’ll tell you which lane we’d pick and why.

Book Free Strategy Call →

Or call 305-897-2805 — free, 15 minutes, no pressure.

Free Strategy Call · 305-897-2805