VA Disability Appeals Process

Home / VA Disability Appeals Process

Denied VA disability benefits or given a lower rating than expected? You’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. The VA disability appeals process gives veterans the chance to fight for the benefits they rightfully earned. At Unruh Law, we guide veterans through every step of the VA appeal process, no matter where they live in the U.S. or overseas.

Whether you’re dealing with a denied claim, an unfair disability rating, or just feel overwhelmed by VA paperwork, we’re here to help.

Why Do I Need to Appeal a VA Disability Claim?

The VA claims process isn’t perfect. Even strong cases can be denied due to missing evidence, miscommunications, or errors in how your condition is evaluated. Many veterans are initially awarded low disability ratings that don’t reflect how much their condition impacts their lives. That’s where a VA disability appeal comes in.

Appealing gives you a chance to:

Correct errors in the VA’s decision
Submit new medical evidence
Request a fresh review by a senior reviewer or judge
Push for a higher disability rating or an earlier effective date

And with Unruh Law, you don’t have to face this process alone.

Understanding the VA Claims and Appeals Process

The VA claims process has two main stages:

Initial Claim: When you first apply for VA disability benefits.
Appeal: When you challenge the VA’s decision.

Since 2019, under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), veterans now have more control and flexibility when appealing a VA decision. There are three main appeal options, and you can choose the path that works best for your situation.

How to Appeal a VA Claim: Your 3 Appeal Options

1. Higher-Level Review

If you think the VA made an error in its decision, maybe they missed a key fact or misinterpreted your evidence. A Higher-Level Review could be your best next step.

No new evidence is allowed
A senior VA reviewer re-examines your case
You can request an optional informal conference with the reviewer to explain your position

Best for: Simple errors in the VA’s review, or when no additional evidence is needed.

2. Supplemental Claim

If you have new and relevant evidence that wasn’t submitted with your original claim, you can file a Supplemental Claim.

Must include new evidence related to your case
VA will re-evaluate your claim with this additional information
You can file this at any time after a decision (not just within one year)

Best for: When new medical records, doctor’s statements, or military records support your claim.

3. Board Appeal (Appeal to a Veterans Law Judge)

This option sends your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) in Washington, D.C., where a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) reviews your case.

You can choose from 3 paths:

Direct Review: No new evidence or hearing. Quickest BVA option.
Evidence Submission: Submit new evidence within 90 days of your appeal.
Hearing: Appear (remotely or in person) before a judge and submit new evidence afterward.

Best for: Complex or disputed cases, especially when your voice needs to be heard or new evidence is available.

How Long Do VA Appeals Take?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “How long do VA appeals take?”

The answer depends on the appeal route you choose:

Appeal Option & Average Processing Time

Higher-Level Review: 4 to 5 months
Supplemental Claim: 4 to 5 months
Board Appeal (Direct Review): 12 to 18 months (or earlier)
Board Appeal (Evidence Submission): 18 to 20 months (or earlier)
Board Appeal (Hearing): 2+ years (or earlier)

Working with an experienced VA disability attorney like Unruh Law can help reduce delays by ensuring your claim is complete, correct, and supported with strong evidence.

When Should I File a VA Appeal?

You should file a VA disability appeal within one year of receiving the VA’s decision. If you wait too long, you may lose important rights, including the ability to receive backpay.

That said, you can still file a Supplemental Claim at any time with new evidence. But to keep your original effective date (and potential backpay), it’s best to appeal within the one-year window.

What to Expect When You Work with Unruh Law?

At Unruh Law, we take pride in helping veterans nationwide — and even those living abroad — get the benefits they deserve. Here’s how we make the process easier:

We Handle Everything Remotely: You don’t need to travel or visit our office. Secure file sharing, phone calls, and video meetings make it easy to stay in touch.
We Know The Law Inside And Out: With over 47 years of combined experience, we’ve helped veterans with all types of appeals, from PTSD to back injuries to complex multi-condition cases.
We Only Get Paid If You Win: No upfront fees. No hidden costs. We fight for your benefits and only get paid if we’re successful.

Common Reasons for Denial (and How We Fight Back)

Not sure why your claim was denied? These are some common reasons:

Lack of medical nexus (link between your condition and service)
VA says your condition is not service-connected
You received a low rating that doesn’t match your symptoms
The VA believes your evidence wasn’t strong or recent enough

We’ll review your C-File (VA claims file), identify weak spots in the VA’s reasoning, and gather the medical or lay evidence needed to strengthen your appeal.

Remote Representation for U.S. Veterans at Home and Abroad

Whether you’re in California, Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, or living overseas in Europe, Asia, or beyond, Unruh Law can represent you in your VA appeal without you needing to visit our office.

We use:

Secure online portals for file sharing
Video or phone consultations
Easy-to-understand updates every step of the way

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Appeal A VA Claim?

Choose one of the three appeal options: Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board Appeal, based on your case. The VA lawyers at Unruh Law will guide you through the best path.

2. How Long Do VA Appeals Take?

It can range from 4 months to over 2 years, depending on the route and complexity of your case.

3. Can I Submit New Evidence When I Appeal?

Yes, if you choose the Supplemental Claim or Evidence Submission/Hearing option with a Board Appeal.

4. Will My Appeal Affect My Current Benefits?

No. Appealing a decision will not stop or reduce the benefits you’re already receiving.

5. Can I Switch Appeal Options Later?

In some cases, yes. If your situation changes or you get new evidence, we may recommend a different path.

Ready to Appeal Your VA Disability Decision?

You served your country. Now it’s our turn to serve you. If you believe your VA claim was unfairly denied or under-rated, don’t wait. We’ll explain your options and help you take the next step with confidence.

Call (833) 753-5169 or use our secure online form to start a free consultation today!

Unruh Law has been nothing but exceptional in helping with my VA disability claim. I have referred family and friends who have also received excellent service, and I will continue referring veterans to Mr. Unruh. Unruh Law is the... Read More

Sensei B.

Ms. Mikaya has been a wonderful help to me. She has been keeping me informed of any and all inputs to my case. She is a great help. Thanks Roger... Read More

Roger B.

I highly recommend Unruh... Read More

Bennett N.

John Unhru is a "one of a kind" attorney! He knows how to HELP VETERANS, especially when the Vet like myself has nearly given up all hope of getting any compensation from the VA. With years of experience he understands the VA Process,... Read More

Randy S A.

These guys are amazing I applied originally on my own for injuries sustained during service. The VA denied my claim. That when I contacted Unruh Law. They were friendly, professional and very helpful. that day I was sent over papers to... Read More

Dominic H.

I was skeptical at first but they took my case and after a time I went from a 90% to 100%. time frame can't be blamed on them as we all know how the VA works. it takes 8 months to a year for everything you file. Just be patient and things... Read More

Kevin w.

Steven and the others at Unruh Law were such a huge help in getting my VA disability processed, had no idea how to navigate some of the process and they made it practically stress free. So grateful and would easily recommend them to anyone... Read More

Elijah S.

John helped my mom get VA DIC after my father passed from an illness related to his Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. John’s initial take on how the case would progress was spot on. We are grateful for his counsel and diligence, and I... Read More

Chris D.

Started my claim journey with the VA many years ago. After a number of horrible experiences and frustration of the VA wanting to dismiss Veterans claims, I found Unruh Law firm. John Unruh and Steven the Claims Manager have my claim at... Read More

Private P.

Steven (and company) have been amazing to work with! Gets back to you right away and doesn’t give up. I am glad that I hit up the first lawyer that showed up on google after pretending that I didn’t get severely damaged by my... Read More

VA Disability Appeals Process

Sensei B.

Roger B.

Bennett N.

Randy S A.

Dominic H.

Kevin w.

Elijah S.

Chris D.

Private P.

Jorion W.

Blog

Veterans Benefits Insights

VA Disability

Top 7 VA Disability Claims

VA Disability

Frequently Applied VA Disability Claims To Know About

VA Disability

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing for VA Disability Benefits

Fill Out This Form To Get A Free Case Review

We’ll Fight For You