When the VA issues a rating decision you disagree with, you have three paths forward under the Appeals Modernization Act: a Higher Level Review, a Supplemental Claim, or a Board Appeal. Choosing the wrong lane can cost you months of wait time and, in some cases, reset your effective date. This guide covers how the Higher Level Review (HLR) works in 2026, what it can and cannot do, and how to decide whether the HLR or a Supplemental Claim is the right move for your situation.
What Is a VA Higher Level Review?
A Higher Level Review is a request for a senior VA Decision Review Officer (DRO) to re-examine your existing claim file. The DRO did not work on the original decision and brings fresh eyes to the file. No new evidence is allowed. The reviewer looks only at what was already in your record when the original decision was made.
The purpose of an HLR is to catch clear errors: the rater misread a C&P exam, applied the wrong diagnostic code, ignored a key piece of evidence in the file, used an incorrect effective date, or otherwise made a legal or factual mistake. If any of those situations apply, an HLR is typically faster than a Supplemental Claim and does not require you to gather additional documentation.
You file an HLR using VA Form 20-0996. The deadline is one year from the date on the decision letter you are contesting. Filing within that one-year window preserves your original effective date, which protects any back pay tied to the earlier filing.
What Is a VA Supplemental Claim?
A Supplemental Claim, also filed on VA Form 20-0995, lets you submit new and relevant evidence that was not part of your original file. A different rater reviews your claim with the new evidence included. Under the current standard set by 38 CFR 3.2501, evidence only needs to be "new and relevant," which is a lower bar than the old "new and material" standard. Evidence is relevant if it could reasonably influence the outcome, even if it does not guarantee one.
The Supplemental Claim is the right lane when you have something new to add: a private nexus letter, records from a non-VA provider, service records that were not in your file, buddy statements, or a new DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire). You also have one year from your decision to file without losing your effective date.
HLR vs Supplemental Claim: Which to Use
The simplest way to think about this is one question: do you have new evidence?
| Situation | Best Option |
|---|
| VA missed evidence already in your file | Higher Level Review |
| VA applied the wrong diagnostic code | Higher Level Review |
| VA used a flawed or incomplete C&P exam | Higher Level Review (if flaws are documented in the exam itself) |
| Wrong effective date based on existing evidence | Higher Level Review |
| You have a private nexus letter | Supplemental Claim |
| You found service records not in your file | Supplemental Claim |
| You obtained a new DBQ from a private doctor | Supplemental Claim |
| You have buddy statements not previously submitted | Supplemental Claim |
| You already filed an HLR on this issue and lost | Supplemental Claim (cannot file a second HLR on the same decision) |
One important restriction: you cannot request a second Higher Level Review on the same decision. If your first HLR comes back unfavorable and you do not have new evidence, your remaining options are a Board Appeal or to file a Supplemental Claim if new evidence emerges later.
The Informal Conference Option
When filing an HLR, you can request an informal conference with the DRO. This is a phone call where you or your accredited representative can point directly to the error: the specific page of the medical record, the exact regulation that was misapplied, or the C&P exam language that was overlooked.
To request one, check the informal conference option when filing online (step 3 of the online form) or check item 16A on the paper VA Form 20-0996. The VA will contact you or your representative to schedule the call. They make two attempts; if they cannot reach you after two tries, the review proceeds without the conference.
Requesting an informal conference is worth doing in most cases where you have a focused, specific error to raise. Reviewers handle large volumes of claims, and a ten-minute call that points directly to the issue can make the difference between a cursory re-read and a genuine second look. The tradeoff is that requesting a conference typically adds some time to the overall timeline.
How to File a VA Higher Level Review in 2026
Step 1: Get VA Form 20-0996.
Download it from va.gov or file online at va.gov/decision-reviews/higher-level-review/. The online option is generally faster to submit.
Step 2: Identify the specific issues you are contesting.
List each condition or decision point you want reviewed. Be specific. Vague filings get vague reviews.
Step 3: Decide whether to request an informal conference.
If you have a clear, documentable error to raise, check yes on item 16A (paper) or select the option in step 3 (online).
Step 4: Submit the form.
Online submissions go directly into VA's system. Paper forms can be mailed to the VA Evidence Intake Center or brought in person to a VA regional office. If mailing, consider certified mail and keep a copy.
Step 5: Wait for the conference call (if requested).
Scheduling typically takes two to three months. Be available for the call and prepare your talking points in advance. Know which evidence you are pointing to and why.
Step 6: Receive the decision.
The DRO issues a new rating decision. If the HLR is granted, your rating is updated with the original effective date preserved. If denied, you can file a Supplemental Claim (if you now have new evidence), go to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or explore other options with an accredited VA representative.
VA Higher Level Review Timeline in 2026
The VA's target for completing Higher Level Reviews is 125 days, roughly four to five months. Actual wait times vary based on:
- The complexity of the conditions involved
- Whether an informal conference is requested (adds time)
- Workload at the specific VA regional office handling the claim
- Whether the DRO needs to request additional records from other VA offices
Some veterans receive decisions in four to six weeks. Others wait six months or longer. Filing online and having an accredited representative help prepare your submission can reduce delays.
What Happens If the HLR Is Denied
A denied HLR is not the end of the road. From that decision, you have one year to:
- File a Supplemental Claim if you now have new and relevant evidence
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals using VA Form 10182, choosing between the direct docket (no hearing, no new evidence), the evidence docket (submit new evidence), or the hearing docket (testimony before a Veterans Law Judge)
You cannot file another HLR on the same issue after one has already been completed. That door closes after the first review.
Three Mistakes Veterans Make With Higher Level Reviews
Filing an HLR when you actually have new evidence. If you have a private nexus letter or records the VA never saw, a Supplemental Claim is the better lane. An HLR reviewer can only look at what was already in your file.
Missing the one-year deadline. Filing more than a year after your decision does not void your ability to appeal, but it does reset your effective date to the new filing date. You lose back pay for the gap. Mark the deadline as soon as you receive a decision.
Not requesting an informal conference. Many veterans skip the conference to save time, but the extra wait is often worth it if you have a specific, focused error to raise. A direct conversation with the DRO is one of the few opportunities to make sure the right evidence gets noticed.
When to Consider a Board Appeal Instead
Neither an HLR nor a Supplemental Claim involves a Veterans Law Judge. If your case has complexity that requires testimony, if you want a full evidentiary hearing, or if both the HLR and Supplemental Claim lanes have already been exhausted, a Board Appeal is the next step. The Board is slower, with some dockets averaging two to three years or more, but it is the only appeal path where a Veterans Law Judge directly reviews your case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a VA Higher Level Review?
You have one year from the date on the VA decision letter you want to contest. Filing within that window preserves your original effective date and protects any back pay tied to the earlier claim.
Can I submit new evidence with a Higher Level Review?
No. A Higher Level Review is limited to the evidence already in your file at the time of the original decision. If you have new evidence, file a Supplemental Claim using VA Form 20-0995 instead.
Can I file both a Higher Level Review and a Supplemental Claim at the same time?
Yes, on different issues. You cannot file both on the exact same condition or decision at the same time, but if you have multiple conditions being appealed, each can go into a different lane.
How long does a VA Higher Level Review take in 2026?
The VA targets 125 days (roughly four to five months). Actual timelines range from four to six weeks for simpler cases to six months or longer for complex ones or those with an informal conference scheduled.
What form do I use to request a Higher Level Review?
VA Form 20-0996. You can file it online through va.gov or download the PDF and mail it to the VA Evidence Intake Center.
What is an informal conference in a Higher Level Review?
An informal conference is a phone call between you (or your accredited representative) and the Decision Review Officer handling your case. You can use the call to point directly to the specific error you believe was made. You request it by checking item 16A on the paper form or selecting the option in step 3 when filing online.
What happens if my Higher Level Review is denied?
You have one year from the HLR decision to file a Supplemental Claim (if you have new evidence) or a Board Appeal using VA Form 10182. You cannot request a second Higher Level Review on the same issue.
Does filing a Higher Level Review protect my effective date?
Yes, if you file within one year of the original decision. If you file after one year, your effective date resets to the date of the new filing, which can reduce or eliminate back pay.
What is the difference between a Higher Level Review and a Board Appeal?
A Higher Level Review is decided by a senior VA employee called a Decision Review Officer. A Board Appeal is decided by a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The Board is slower but offers more options, including hearings and the ability to submit new evidence in some dockets.
