Decision Letter Review

Understanding your decision letter

A VA decision letter can run 10–30 pages and feel overwhelming. Most of it is boilerplate. Here's where to focus and what each section means.

The four key sections

• Decision — The first few pages tell you what VA decided for each condition you claimed: service-connected or not, and the rating percentage (0%, 10%, 20%, etc.).
• Reasons & Bases — This section explains why VA made each decision. If you were denied, it will say what evidence VA found insufficient. This is the most important section for planning an appeal.
• Effective Date — This is the date your benefits are paid from. It's usually the date VA received your claim, or your intent to file if you submitted one earlier. Disputing an effective date can result in meaningful back pay.
• Your Rights — This section lists your appeal options and deadlines. Read it carefully — missing a deadline can cost you months of back pay.

Your three options after a decision

• Supplemental Claim — If you have new and relevant evidence VA didn't have (a new nexus letter, new medical records, a private exam), this is often the fastest path to a higher rating. File VA Form 20-0995.
• Higher-Level Review — A senior VA claims adjudicator reviews your file for a clear error — no new evidence allowed, but no in-person hearing required. File VA Form 20-0996.
• Board of Veterans' Appeals — A Veterans Law Judge reviews your case. You can submit new evidence, request a hearing, or both. This is slower (often 1–3+ years) but provides the most formal review. File VA Form 10182.

Important deadlines

• You have 1 year from the date of your decision letter to file a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review without losing your original effective date.
• For the Board of Veterans' Appeals, you also have 1 year from the decision letter date.
• If you miss the 1-year window, you can still file — but your effective date resets to the date of your new filing, which affects back pay.