Choose the task and actual reported context. These routes use the site’s existing instructions and sources. Progress is temporary preparation, not a determination of a legal stage or completion.
Next instruction from this context Read the decision notice to confirm Higher-Level Review is available for the issue and stage.
Choose your step and follow-up instructions Work through the existing instructions for this route. Reviewing a step does not complete a legal requirement.
Open the complete step-by-step route
Existing instructions to review Starting point : Read the decision notice to confirm Higher-Level Review is available for the issue and stage.Who the instructions concern : People reviewing the named agency/program decision or assistance route; the agency and current decision notice determine the applicable procedure.Prepare: VA decision letter and dates : VA decision letter and datesPrepare: Specific issues and claimed errors : Specific issues and claimed errorsPrepare: Existing evidence references : Existing evidence referencesPrepare: Any informal-conference preference and representative information : Any informal-conference preference and representative informationPublisher instruction 1 : Read the decision notice to confirm Higher-Level Review is available for the issue and stage.Publisher instruction 2 : Identify the errors using the existing record; review a different lane if new evidence is needed.Publisher instruction 3 : Use the current form/online instructions and consider the optional one-time informal conference described by VA.Publisher instruction 4 : Submit through the benefit-specific route, retain proof and follow the review decision instructions.Submission instructions : Use the recipient and current submission method in the decision notice and VA form instructions; avoid assuming all benefit types use one address.Costs and fee questions : The selected sources do not specify a review filing fee. Any representative fee arrangement requires separate review.After submission : Keep the request, issue list and receipt; prepare to identify specific errors if an informal conference is scheduled.Returned, denied or unresolved requests : New evidence is not accepted in this review lane. Ask VA-accredited help about available routes if a prior review already occurred.Language, disability and offline access : Use the assistance contacts in the VA form page/current instructions; ask for disability/language access support as needed.Review a VA Higher-Level Review request on the existing record
VA Form20-0996 Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review
VA Form20-0996 official PDF and instructions
VA: Choosing a decision review option
VA: Higher-Level Reviews