How Do I Appeal a Denied VA Disability Claim?

There are three ways that you could appeal your VA disability denial. First, a supplemental claim, which is a way for you to submit or identify new and relevant evidence that the VA is required to assist you to develop or substantiate your claim. This is an advantageous option if, for instance, you need a compensation and pension examination (C&P exam) so that you could provide evidence of a connection between your medical condition and your military service. In contrast, you could also file a higher-level review appeal, which is similar to the supplemental claim but is an appeal at the regional office. Unlike the supplemental claim lane, you are not allowed to submit or identify new and relevant evidence that the VA is required to develop. It will be an appeal lane involving an appeals adjudicator at the regional office, typically with more education and experience than those adjudicating claims in the supplemental claim lane. Lastly, the third option is to take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC. It will involve a much longer wait time than any of the appeal lanes at the regional office. However, your case will be decided by someone with the highest level of education and experience, a veterans law judge. It’s up to each veteran and their disability advocate to determine the best possible appeal lane by weighing the pros and cons of each. It’s a complicated decision, so why go it alone when you could get someone like Rob Levine Law, who has years of experience fighting for veterans, choosing the right appeal lane, and getting them the most disability benefits as soon as possible.