Your VA Claim Was Denied. Here's What to Do.

Your VA Claim Was Denied — Don't Give Up

VA claims are denied all the time. The denial rate for initial claims is roughly 25-30%. But here's what the VA doesn't advertise: many denied claims succeed on appeal.

Understanding Your Denial

Read your denial letter carefully. The VA must tell you:

• Which conditions were denied
• Why each was denied (missing element: diagnosis, in-service event, or nexus)
• Your appeal rights and deadlines

Three Appeal Options

Since the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), you have three "lanes":

1. Supplemental Claim (Best for new evidence)

Use when: You have new evidence that wasn't in your original claim.

• File VA Form 20-0995
• Submit new and relevant evidence (new nexus letter, new medical records, buddy statements)
• No deadline (but sooner is better for back pay)
• Reviewed by a new rater at the Regional Office
• Best option if: Your denial was for lack of nexus and you can get a nexus letter

2. Higher-Level Review (Best for errors)

Use when: You believe the VA made an error with the existing evidence.

• File VA Form 20-0996
• No new evidence allowed — the reviewer looks at what was already submitted
• Can request an informal conference (phone call with the reviewer)
• Deadline: 1 year from decision date
• Best option if: The evidence was strong but the rater misread or ignored something

3. Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA)

Use when: Both other options failed, or you want a Veterans Law Judge to decide.

• File VA Form 10182
• Three sub-options: direct review, evidence submission, hearing
• Longest wait (12-24 months) but most thorough review
• Best option if: Your case is legally complex or you've been denied multiple times

The Most Common Denial Reasons

1. No current diagnosis — Get a diagnosis from a licensed provider
2. No in-service event — Document the event, get buddy statements
3. No nexus — Get a private nexus letter using "at least as likely as not" language
4. Not enough evidence of severity — Get additional medical documentation
5. Pre-existing condition — Get a medical opinion on aggravation beyond natural progression