VA Form 20-0996 is the official document used to request a Higher-Level Review (HLR), a specific type of appeal designed for veterans who disagree with a VA decision but do not need to submit new evidence. This form effectively asks a senior claims adjudicator to re-examine the evidence already in your file to catch clear and unmistakable errors or differences of opinion. It is often the fastest appeal lane available, intended to correct mistakes regarding rating percentages, service connections, or effective dates without the extended wait times associated with Board appeals.

When to Use This Form

• Disputing a Low Rating: You believe the assigned disability percentage is incorrect based on the severity of symptoms documented in your existing medical records.
• Challenging Service Connection Denials: The VA denied service connection, but you believe the evidence already provided clearly establishes a link to service.
• Correcting Effective Dates: The VA granted benefits but assigned an incorrect effective date, resulting in less retroactive pay than you are entitled to.
• No New Evidence Needed: You are confident the current file supports your claim and do not intend to submit additional medical opinions or lay statements (which would require a Supplemental Claim instead).

VA Form 21-10210, formally known as the Lay/Witness Statement, is the official document used to submit testimony from someone other than the veteran regarding a disability claim. While medical records provide the clinical data, this form allows spouses, friends, fellow service members, or family to “fill in the gaps” by describing the veteran’s daily struggles or confirming events that occurred during service. It is a critical tool for establishing the human context of a disability, often acting as the tipping point for claims that lack extensive service treatment records.

When to Use This Form

• Corroborating In-Service Stressors: Use this when a veteran experienced a traumatic event or injury during service (such as combat or an accident) that was not officially documented in their medical or personnel files, but was witnessed by a fellow service member.
• Describing Daily Severity: Use this when a veteran’s medical records do not fully capture the frequency or intensity of their symptoms, allowing a spouse or roommate to detail how the condition limits the veteran’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
• Establishing Service Connection for PTSD: This form is essential for “buddy statements” that support a PTSD claim by validating the stressor event or detailing behavioral changes observed by family members after the veteran returned from deployment.
• rebutting a Proposed Reduction: If the VA proposes to reduce a rating based on a single medical exam, lay statements can be used to prove that the condition has not actually improved in the veteran’s daily life.

VA Form 21-526EZ, formally known as the Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, is the essential document veterans use to apply for financial compensation for service-connected injuries or illnesses. Unlike older application methods, this “EZ” form is designed to expedite the process by allowing veterans to participate in the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program. By submitting this form, a veteran certifies that they are ready for a decision and, ideally, submits all relevant medical evidence upfront to secure a faster rating decision from the VA.

When to Use This Form

This form is the cornerstone of most compensation claims, but it must be used correctly to avoid administrative delays. It is appropriate in the following specific scenarios:

• Filing an Initial Claim: You are a veteran applying for disability benefits for the very first time for conditions related to your military service.
• Requesting an Increase: You already have a service-connected disability, but the condition has worsened, and you are seeking a higher disability rating.
• Adding a New or Secondary Condition: You need to claim a new disability that was not previously adjudicated, or a condition that was caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability (secondary connection).
• Submitting a Fully Developed Claim (FDC): You have gathered all private medical records and relevant federal records and wish to bypass the standard claims processing time for a quicker decision.

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VA Form 20-0995-ARE serves as the official “Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim.” Under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), this form is your specific tool for reopening a previously denied claim or contesting a rating decision when you have new and relevant evidence to present. Unlike a Higher-Level Review (where the VA only looks at existing evidence), this form tells the VA, “I have proof that wasn’t considered in the prior decision, and I want you to review my case again with this new information included.”

When to Use This Form

This form is critical for effective appeals strategy. You should file VA Form 20-0995-ARE in the following scenarios:

• Submitting New Evidence: You have obtained new medical records, buddy statements, or independent medical opinions (IMOs) that were not part of the record when the VA made its last decision.
• Preserving Effective Dates: You received a decision within the last year that you disagree with, and you want to maintain your original effective date for backpay purposes.
• Reopening Old Claims: You are seeking to reopen a claim that was denied more than a year ago (note: in this instance, the effective date will generally be the date the VA receives this new Supplemental Claim).
• Switching Appeal Lanes: You previously received a denial from a Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal and now wish to submit new evidence to support your contention.

Streamline Your Claims Practice

Managing Supplemental Claims and organizing new evidence for multiple veterans can quickly become an administrative burden. Take control of your workflow with a modern solution designed for Veteran Representatives.

Sign up for VA Claim Helper today to manage this form, organize client evidence, and handle your entire caseload in one secure, centralized dashboard.

The Affordable, Modern Alternative to VetraSpec

You shouldn’t have to choose between “affordable” and “usable.” If you are tired of overpaying for clunky, legacy software, VA Claim Helper (VCH) is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

Why Accredited Agents are Switching

1. It is Actually Affordable

Legacy software often comes with expensive contracts, hidden fees, or “setup costs” that drain your budget. VCH is different. We offer transparent pricing that fits independent representatives—including a completely free tier to get you started.

2. It is Accessible Anywhere

Stop being chained to your office desktop. VCH is fully cloud-based and mobile-friendly. Whether you are at the courthouse, meeting a veteran for coffee, or working from home, your entire case file is just a click away on any device.

3. The UI is NOT Clunky

Most VA software looks like a government database from 2005. It’s dense, confusing, and hard to navigate. VCH is built for the modern web. It is clean, intuitive, and fast. You don’t need a training manual to use it—it just works.

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We’re excited to announce a new feature that helps you stay on top of your cases by tracking the date of the latest rating decision and providing automated alerts for decisions that are approaching one year. This will help ensure timely follow-ups and prevent cases from falling through the cracks.

Automated Email Alerts: The system now automatically sends a daily email alert for cases with a rating decision older than 335 days. This helps you proactively manage your caseload and prioritize follow-ups. You can disable these alerts on a case-by-case basis.

New “Latest Rating Decision” Field: We’ve added a new “Latest Rating Decision” date field to each case. This can be set when creating a new case via the intake form or by editing an existing case.

UI Enhancements:
The main cases grid now includes a “Latest Rating Decision” column.
To help you quickly identify which cases need attention, the date in the “Latest Rating Decision” column will be highlighted in red if it’s older than 335 days.
A new “Disable Alerts” checkbox has been added to the case edit screen, giving you control over which cases trigger the automated email alerts.

21-22a was updated to the latest version.

• VA Disability Appeals: veteransguide.org/va-disability/appeals/
• VA Disability Calculator:  veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator/
• PTSD Guide: https://www.hillandponton.com/introduction-ptsd-guide/ – a comprehensive resource tailored to assist veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Toxic Exposure Map: https://www.hillandponton.com/toxic-exposure/ – a helpful tool designed to help veterans navigate potential exposure risks.
• Blue Water Navy Map: https://www.hillandponton.com/blue-water-navy-vietnam-map/ – an interactive Vietnam map for navigating exposure to Agent Orange.
• VA Disability Claims Course: https://courses.hillandponton.com/p/master-the-va-disability-claims-process – a step-by-step guide for veterans on how to file initial VA disability claims, our most recent resource.
• Mesothelioma Cancer: https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/cancer/
• PTSD Guide: https://www.mswguide.org/blog/ultimate-ptsd-guide/
• Driving as an Amputee: https://www.richmondvona.com/tips-driving-amputee/
• Mesothelioma information: https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/