Board Appeals: understand your review choices
The Board option you choose determines hearing and evidence rules.
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Reviewed October 17, 2026 · Serving veterans nationwide
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Lay & buddy statements
A useful statement describes what the writer personally knows or observed.
Read the full guide →CHAMPVA: family health coverage checks
A veteran’s 100% rating alone does not automatically establish family eligibility.
Read the full guide →Claim status can change
Returning to evidence gathering does not tell you whether a claim will be approved.
Read the full guide →Understanding combined ratings
VA combines disability ratings rather than simply adding the percentages.
Read the full guide →Understanding C&P exams
A C&P exam helps evaluate your claim; it is not a treatment appointment.
Read the full guide →Understand your decision letter.
Read the result, evidence, reasons, and review instructions before choosing a next step.
Read the full guide →Know your review options
Your evidence and decision letter help determine which review option fits.
Read the full guide →Dependents and disability pay
Eligible veterans with a combined rating of 30% or more may receive additional pay for qualified dependents.
Read the full guide →Effective dates & back pay
The effective date and the date you receive money are different questions.
Read the full guide →Family & survivor benefits: check each program
One benefit decision does not automatically establish eligibility for every family program.
Read the full guide →GI Bill: plan before you enroll
Benefit eligibility, program approval, and payment amounts are separate checks.
Read the full guide →Higher-Level Review: a fresh look at the record
This review generally uses the evidence VA already had.
Read the full guide →Individual Unemployability
Eligible veterans may receive compensation at the 100% rate without a 100% underlying rating.
Read the full guide →Your first disability claim
Understand the application, evidence, and follow-up steps.
Read the full guide →Intent to File
An Intent to File can protect a potential earlier effective date.
Read the full guide →Priority processing requests
Learn how qualifying circumstances such as extreme financial hardship may support a VA claim priority-processing request using VA Form 20-10207.
Read the full guide →Private medical records
Submit private medical records yourself or authorize VA to request them. Learn how VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a work together.
Read the full guide →Secondary conditions
A secondary claim needs evidence connecting the condition to a service-connected disability.
Read the full guide →State veteran benefits: start with your state
State benefits vary; a VA rating does not create the same benefits in every state.
Read the full guide →Supplemental Claims: build on the record
Understand new and relevant evidence before choosing this review option.
Read the full guide →VA health care: where to start
You do not always need a disability compensation rating to apply for VA health care.
Read the full guide →VA home loans: understand the starting checks
A Certificate of Eligibility confirms a benefit requirement; it is not a lender’s loan approval.
Read the full guide →VR&E: employment & independence
Applying for Veteran Readiness and Employment starts an evaluation; it does not guarantee a training award.
Read the full guide →Understanding a 0% rating
A 0% service-connected rating is different from a denial of service connection.
Read the full guide →VA Form 21-526EZ · Disability compensation application
For disability compensation and increased disability compensation. Check whether a different review form applies to a previously decided issue.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 20-0995 · Supplemental Claim
Generally used to submit or identify new and relevant evidence for a previously decided issue. Special rules apply to certain changes in law.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 20-0996 · Higher-Level Review
Requests another review of the existing record. New evidence cannot be submitted with this option.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 10182 · Board Appeal
Requests review by a Veterans Law Judge. The chosen Board option determines evidence and hearing rules.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 21-10210 · Lay or Witness Statement
For firsthand observations about a condition or related events, including a buddy statement.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 21-4138 · Statement in Support of Claim
For a written statement supporting a claim. Follow any instructions for a condition-specific form.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 21-4142 + 21-4142a · Private medical record requests
Authorization and provider information work together when asking VA to obtain private treatment records.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 20-10207 · Priority Processing Request
Brings certain qualifying circumstances or status to VA’s attention for priority consideration.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)VA Form 21-4142a · Provider information
The companion provider-information form for private medical record requests.
Open official form instructions ↗ (opens a new tab)Find my resources
Answer three simple questions for relevant guides and a printable next-step checklist.
Open the resource finder →Combined rating calculator
Estimate VA math with optional paired-limb bilateral calculations.
Open the calculator →Free printable worksheets
Download a claims checklist and symptom-and-treatment tracker.
Get the worksheets →Veteran wellness and support
Find mental health, housing, caregiver, and other official support resources.
Explore support →Veterans benefits updates
Read dated summaries and current official announcements.
Read the updates →Find representation options through VA
Use VA’s directory and guidance to understand representation choices.
Open the official VA directory ↗ (opens a new tab)Free consultations · Nationwide
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