Denied? Here’s what to do next
You have three ways to ask the VA to look again. Each one has its own form and its own deadline.
Why did the VA say no? Your decision letter tells you. Start with its reasons, because they decide which path makes sense. Decode your denial letter
The three paths
Supplemental Claim
VA Form 20-0995 (opens in a new tab)
The VA decides your claim again with evidence it hasn’t seen.
Deadline. No deadline to file. File within 1 year of the date on your decision letter to keep your original effective date.
New evidence. Required. It has to be new and relevant: something the VA hasn’t considered that proves or disproves part of your claim.
Often used when the denial says nothing linked your condition to your service, and you can now show that link.
Higher-Level Review
VA Form 20-0996 (opens in a new tab)
A senior reviewer looks at the same file again. You can ask for one optional phone call to point out the error.
Deadline. Within 1 year of the date on your decision letter.
New evidence. Not allowed. The reviewer can’t consider anything new, including a nexus letter.
Often used when you think the VA got it wrong with the evidence it already had.
Board Appeal
VA Form 10182 (opens in a new tab)
A Veterans Law Judge decides. You pick Direct Review, Evidence Submission or a Hearing.
Deadline. Within 1 year of the date on your decision letter. Contested claims: 60 days.
New evidence. Direct Review: none. Evidence Submission: with your request or within 90 days after the Board gets it. Hearing: at the hearing or within 90 days after.
Often used when you want a judge to decide. It usually takes longer: the VA’s goal for Direct Review alone is an average of 365 days.
We don’t pick your path for you. An accredited representative can help you choose. Find one on VA.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where a nexus letter fits
A nexus letter is a signed medical opinion that links your condition to your service. It counts as new evidence. That’s why it fits a Supplemental Claim, or the Board’s Evidence Submission or Hearing option. It doesn’t fit a Higher-Level Review.
- Was the denial about a missing link? Then a letter answers the reason the VA gave.
- Was it about no diagnosis, or no event in service? A letter alone won’t fix that. You need those records first.
- Not sure what your records show? The free Nexus Check reads every page and cites each finding. See a sample
What waiting costs
The denial stands until someone answers it. Wait past one year and a Supplemental Claim still works, but your effective date moves to the day the VA gets it. Back pay counts from that date.
If the VA denies your claim, we write one rebuttal letter at no cost. It answers the medical-nexus reasons in the first VA denial of a claim that used your letter. It comes with every paid letter, unless the letter was refunded. The clinician signs only what they support, and we can’t promise what the VA decides.
See what your records support
Our Nexus Check reads every page you send and cites the page for each finding, including pages that work against the claim. It’s free. If you request a letter, we draft it, and a licensed clinician reviews it, edits it and signs only what they support.
(360) 347-2563 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 8am–2pm Pacific. Outside those hours, request a call and we respond the next day we’re open.
If we don’t respond the same day during business hours, you get 15% off your nexus letter.
A call, voicemail or text from us counts as our reply. Business hours: Mon to Fri 8 to 5, Sat and Sun 8 to 2 Pacific. Terms
We don’t file claims or contact the VA for you. You or your accredited representative decide how to submit your evidence.
Public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions. These veterans weren’t Anchorpoint clients. Every claim is decided on its own evidence.