Loading
Form preview
  • US Legal Forms
  • Form Library
  • More Forms
  • More Multi-State Forms
  • Va Form 20-0996

Get Va Form 20-0996

Specific instructions for completing that section. Filling out this form completely and accurately will decrease the amount of time it takes to process your Higher-Level Review request. USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A HIGHER-LEVEL REVIEW OF A DECISION YOU RECEIVED. A Higher-Level Review is a new review of an issue(s) previously decided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the evidence of record at the time VA issued notice of the prior decision. This form must be received by VA WITHIN.

How it works

  1. Open form

    Open form follow the instructions

  2. Easily sign form

    Easily sign the form with your finger

  3. Share form

    Send filled & signed form or save

How to fill out the VA Form 20-0996 online

Filling out the VA Form 20-0996 online is a straightforward process that allows users to request a Higher-Level Review of previously decided issues by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help users complete the form accurately and efficiently.

Follow the steps to effectively complete the VA Form 20-0996 online

  1. Click the ‘Get Form’ button to access the VA Form 20-0996 and open it in the online editor.
  2. Begin with Section I—Veteran's Identification Information. Enter all available details, such as the veteran’s name, Social Security number, VA file number (if applicable), date of birth, and current mailing address. Make sure to check the box if experiencing homelessness or at risk, as this may expedite processing.
  3. Proceed to Section II—Claimant's Identification Information, filling out details if the claimant is someone other than the veteran. Include relevant information such as name, date of birth, and mailing address.
  4. In Section III—Benefit Type, select only one benefit type you are requesting a review for. Remember, if you need to file for multiple benefit types, a separate form is required for each.
  5. Move to Section IV—Optional Informal Conference. Here, you can indicate if you would like to request an informal conference with a Higher-Level Reviewer. Providing your preference for contact is also required if this box is checked.
  6. In Section V—Issues for Higher-Level Review, identify each issue for which you are requesting a review. Reference your VA decision notification letters for accuracy, complete with the relevant decision dates.
  7. Complete Section VI—Certification and Signature by signing and dating the request. Be sure not to use pencil. Alternate signer certification, if applicable, should be included using VA Form 21-0972.
  8. If applicable, an authorized representative may sign in Section VII, but they must have the appropriate forms on file with VA.
  9. Review all filled sections to ensure all information is accurate and complete. Once satisfied, save your changes, and you may download, print, or share the form as needed.

Start filling out your VA Form 20-0996 online now to ensure your Higher-Level Review request is submitted promptly.

Get form

Experience a faster way to fill out and sign forms on the web. Access the most extensive library of templates available.
Get form

Related content

VA Form 20-0996 - Veterans Benefits Administration
This form must be received by VA WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE. DATE VA PROVIDED NOTICE OF OUR...
Learn more
Welcome to VA. Let's get started.
VA Form 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review...
Learn more
FOR COMPENSATION & PENSION
○ VA Form 20-0996 Request for Higher Level Review. ○ VA Form 20-0995 Supplemental...
Learn more

Related links form

Hcc Transcript Legalwise Bursaries 2017 Form Advance Form NMAA SANCTIONED SPIRIT COMPETITION

Questions & Answers

Get answers to your most pressing questions about US Legal Forms API.

Contact support

What is the Higher Level Review Success Rate? While there is no published “success rate” for Higher Level Reviews, in my experience, I'd estimate a 50% success rate. That means one in two veterans will get a successful VA higher level review decision.

After you receive a Higher-Level Review decision, you can request a Supplemental Claim or a Board Appeal. After you receive a Board Appeal decision, you can request a Supplemental Claim or appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Request a Higher-Level Review with VA Form 20-0996 Use this form if you disagree with VA's decision on your claim and want to request that a senior reviewer take a new look at your case and the evidence you provided. You can't submit any new evidence with a Higher-Level Review.

If you disagree with a VA decision, you or your representative can request a new review of your case by a higher-level reviewer. The reviewer will determine whether an error or a difference of opinion changes the decision. You can't submit new evidence with a Higher-Level Review.

What Is the Difference Between the Higher-Level Review Lane and the Supplemental Claim Lane? The difference between the Higher-Level Review lane and the Supplemental Claim lane is who reviews your appeal and whether you can submit new evidence.

One status that may signify approval of an appeal is “We are correcting an error.” This is a good sign for a Veteran because it means that mistakes were made on the VA's part and not on the Veteran's part.

Higher-Level Review Approval Rate Higher-level reviews are where your claim is reviewed by a more senior reviewer checks the work of the initial reviewer who denied your claim. While the higher-level reviewer can overturn the initial denial, VA data suggests that this happens only in about one out of every ten cases.

The VA does not publish success rates for Supplemental Claims, so the exact number is not known. However, in my experience, I'd estimate a 50% success rate if you submit new and relevant evidence not previously considered. That means one in two veterans will get a successful VA higher level review decision.

Get This Form Now!

Use professional pre-built templates to fill in and sign documents online faster. Get access to thousands of forms.
Get form
If you believe that this page should be taken down, please follow our DMCA take down processhere.

Industry-leading security and compliance

US Legal Forms protects your data by complying with industry-specific security standards.
  • In businnes since 1997
    25+ years providing professional legal documents.
  • Accredited business
    Guarantees that a business meets BBB accreditation standards in the US and Canada.
  • Secured by Braintree
    Validated Level 1 PCI DSS compliant payment gateway that accepts most major credit and debit card brands from across the globe.
Get VA Form 20-0996
Get form
  • Adoption
  • Bankruptcy
  • Contractors
  • Divorce
  • Home Sales
  • Employment
  • Identity Theft
  • Incorporation
  • Landlord Tenant
  • Living Trust
  • Name Change
  • Personal Planning
  • Small Business
  • Wills & Estates
  • Packages A-Z
  • Affidavits
  • Bankruptcy
  • Bill of Sale
  • Corporate - LLC
  • Divorce
  • Employment
  • Identity Theft
  • Internet Technology
  • Landlord Tenant
  • Living Wills
  • Name Change
  • Power of Attorney
  • Real Estate
  • Small Estates
  • Wills
  • All Forms
  • Forms A-Z
  • Form Library
  • Legal Hub
  • About Us
  • Help Portal
  • Legal Resources
  • Blog
  • Affiliates
  • Contact Us
  • Delete My Account
  • Site Map
  • Industries
  • Forms in Spanish
  • Localized Forms
  • State-specific Forms
  • Forms Kit
  • Real Estate Handbook
  • All Guides
  • Notarize
  • Incorporation services
  • For Consumers
  • For Small Business
  • For Attorneys
  • USLegal
  • FormsPass
  • pdfFiller
  • signNow
  • altaFlow
  • DocHub
  • Instapage
Form Packages
  • Adoption
  • Bankruptcy
  • Contractors
  • Divorce
  • Home Sales
  • Employment
  • Identity Theft
  • Incorporation
  • Landlord Tenant
  • Living Trust
  • Name Change
  • Personal Planning
  • Small Business
  • Wills & Estates
  • Packages A-Z
Form Categories
  • Affidavits
  • Bankruptcy
  • Bill of Sale
  • Corporate - LLC
  • Divorce
  • Employment
  • Identity Theft
  • Internet Technology
  • Landlord Tenant
  • Living Wills
  • Name Change
  • Power of Attorney
  • Real Estate
  • Small Estates
  • Wills
  • All Forms
  • Forms A-Z
  • Form Library
Customer Service
  • Legal Hub
  • About Us
  • Help Portal
  • Legal Resources
  • Blog
  • Affiliates
  • Contact Us
  • Delete My Account
  • Site Map
  • Industries
  • Forms in Spanish
  • Localized Forms
  • State-specific Forms
  • Forms Kit
Legal Guides
  • Real Estate Handbook
  • All Guides
Prepared for you
  • Notarize
  • Incorporation services
Our Customers
  • For Consumers
  • For Small Business
  • For Attorneys
Our Sites
  • USLegal
  • FormsPass
  • pdfFiller
  • signNow
  • altaFlow
  • DocHub
  • Instapage
Social Media
Call us now toll free:
+1 833 426 79 33
As seen in:
© Copyright 1999-2026 airSlate Legal Forms, Inc. 3720 Flowood Dr, Flowood, Mississippi 39232
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Notice
  • Content Takedown Policy
  • Bug Bounty Program