The Playbook › Step 6 of 7: Challenge a bad decision
Having a VA claim denied feels final. It is not. A large share of VA decisions are changed on review, and the system gives you three separate ways to ask for one. What matters now is working out exactly why your claim was denied, and choosing the review that fits that reason.
The same steps apply if your claim was granted but the rating or effective date is too low.
The short version
- You generally have one year from the date on the decision letter.
- First, find the specific reason for the denial in the letter.
- Missing evidence? Supplemental Claim.
- VA made a mistake with the evidence it had? Higher-Level Review.
- Want a judge to decide? Board Appeal.
- Filing a review within the year keeps your original effective date.
On this page
Step 1: Mark your deadline
Find the date on the decision letter and count one year forward. Put it in your calendar with a reminder two months before. Acting inside that year preserves your effective date, and with it your back pay. See VA back pay.
Step 2: Find the real reason your claim was denied
Go to the Reasons for Decision section. Nearly every denial comes down to one of the three elements, or to procedure.
| The letter says | The real problem | The usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| No current diagnosis | No proof you have the condition now | Get diagnosed. Submit records with a Supplemental Claim. |
| No in-service event, injury, or illness | Nothing in the records shows it happened | Buddy statements, your own statement, personnel records |
| Not related to service, or a “less likely than not” opinion | No medical link, or a negative C&P opinion | A reasoned nexus letter |
| No continuity of symptoms | A gap between service and diagnosis | Fixing continuity denials |
| Failed to report for exam | You missed the C&P exam | Explain why and request a new exam |
| Condition existed before service | VA says it was pre-existing and not aggravated | Medical opinion on aggravation |
| Rating lower than expected | Symptoms did not match the higher criteria on paper | New evidence of severity, or argue the criteria were misapplied |
Also read the favorable findings. They tell you what VA already accepts, so you only need to fix what is missing. See reading your decision letter, or run it through the decision letter decoder, which lists each decision, the likely reason for any denial, and your options.
Step 3: Read the evidence VA used
Request your C-file or ask your VSO to pull the C&P exam report. Many denials rest on one paragraph in that report. You cannot answer it until you have read it.
Step 4: Choose your review
| Supplemental Claim | Higher-Level Review | Board Appeal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | VA Form 20-0995 | VA Form 20-0996 | VA Form 10182 |
| New evidence allowed | Yes, required | No | Depends on the docket |
| Who decides | A rater | A senior reviewer | A Veterans Law Judge |
| Best when | Something was missing | VA misread the evidence or the law | Reviews have failed, or the issue is legal |
| Typical time | A few months | A few months | A year or more |
A quick way to decide:
- Can you add something new that goes to the reason for denial? File a Supplemental Claim.
- Was the evidence already enough, and VA got it wrong? File a Higher-Level Review.
- Have you already tried those, or is the dispute about how the law applies? Consider the Board.
More detail: Supplemental Claim vs Higher-Level Review and Board Appeals.
Step 5: Fix the actual gap
The most common mistake is resubmitting the same evidence and hoping for a different result. Match your new evidence to the reason:
- Denied for no nexus? A buddy statement will not fix it. You need a medical opinion.
- Denied for no in-service event? A new MRI will not fix it. You need proof of the event.
- Negative C&P opinion? Your new medical opinion should explain specifically why the examiner was wrong.
Step 6: File, and keep the chain going
You can keep trying. After a Supplemental Claim decision you can file another Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal. As long as each one is filed within a year of the last decision, your original effective date stays alive.
If your claim was denied and the deadline has passed
You can still file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence at any time. The difference is that the effective date will generally be the date of the new filing, not the original claim.
When to get help
Consider an accredited representative if:
- You have been denied more than once
- The issue is an effective date or an old decision
- You are heading to the Board
- The amounts at stake are large
VSOs help with reviews for free. Accredited attorneys and agents are allowed to charge at this stage, usually a percentage of back pay. See who can help.
What not to do
- Do not give up after one denial.
- Do not let the year run out while you wait for your C-file. File on time and build the evidence around that.
- Do not file a brand-new claim for the same condition. Use the review options so your date is protected.
- Do not send angry letters. Send evidence.
Free printable checklist. Everything to gather before you file, what to bring to your C&P exam, and what to check in your decision, on two pages.
Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general educational information, not legal or medical advice, and this site is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and rates change. Confirm details on VA.gov or with an accredited representative. See our disclaimer and editorial policy.