If you are wondering how to file a VA supplemental claim and you have new and relevant evidence, then you should fill out VA Form 20-0995, which is the Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim. You can submit this form via regular mail, fax, or in person at a VA regional office. You have one year from the VA’s initial decision in which to file your supplemental claim.
The 3 Types of VA Appeals
If the VA denies your initial claim, you may be eligible to appeal this decision. If you wish to appeal the VA’s initial decision, you have three different options for doing so:
- A higher-level review
- Appealing directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)
- A Supplemental Claim. In general, choosing the supplemental claim option may be the best fit for you if the VA did not find a diagnosis of a condition or disability, the VA found no evidence connecting your service and your disability, or the VA did not find that you are experiencing symptoms that justify a VA disability rating.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
New and Relevant Evidence
In order to be eligible for a supplemental claim, you must provide new and relevant evidence to the VA. If you do not have any new and relevant evidence, then your only options for appealing the initial decision are either a higher-level review or appealing directly to the BVA.
The VA maintains what is called a C-File for every veteran, and it contains all of the VA ratings made and the supporting evidence provided for all of your VA claims.
For the additional evidence to be considered relevant, it just has to be related to your claim. For it to be considered new, it just needs to be information that was not part of your C-File when the VA made its initial decision. Neither standard is particularly daunting.
You can request your C-File online in order to know exactly what is already in there.
Types of Evidence You May Include in Your Supplemental Claim
Here are some of the common types of new and relevant evidence which may bolster your claim:
- A doctor can provide a new independent medical opinion based off of the records that the VA already has.
- Any old evidence that was not included in your C-File, such as medical records from years ago.
- New diagnostic medical examinations or tests.
- You can write a new personal statement describing the symptoms you are currently experiencing and how they affect your day-to-day life. This would be considered new evidence as long as you discuss something about your quality of life or symptoms that you have not previously mentioned to the VA.
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Who Can Help With My Supplemental Claim?
With so much on the line for you and your family, it’s worth it to consult – for free – with an experienced veteran’s claim attorney at Marc Whitehead & Associates. We can help guide you through the VA supplemental claim process and answer any questions you may have.
The folks at our national disability benefits law firm have been fighting for justice for 30 years. We know you never wanted to make this phone call, but we promise to make it easy for you and help in any way we can.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
