Board of Veterans' Appeals — BVA
An independent body inside the VA that reviews disability claim appeals when a veteran disagrees with a regional office decision.
Official source: bva.va.gov
The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) is like a special court within the VA that looks at cases when a veteran doesn't agree with a decision about their disability claim. If you think the VA made a mistake, you can ask the BVA to review it. This applies to veterans who have received a decision on their disability claim from a local VA office or from a [<a href="/glossary/higher-level-review">Higher-Level Review</a>].You can appeal to the BVA in a few ways. You can choose a "Direct Review" if you don't want to add more evidence, an "Evidence Submission" if you have new information to share, or a "Hearing Request" if you want to speak directly to a Veterans Law Judge. People who work at the BVA are called Veterans Law Judges, and they are like judges in a regular court. One important thing to know is that it can take a long time for the BVA to make a decision, usually between 12 to 18 months or even longer.
In real life
- A veteran can ask the Board of Veterans Appeals to look at their case again if they think a local VA office made a mistake.
- Someone might go to the Board of Veterans Appeals if they are not happy with how their disability claim was decided.
- A person can appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals if they believe they should be getting more benefits.
Also known as
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Frequently asked questions about Board of Veterans' Appeals
What is Board of Veterans' Appeals?+
An independent body within the Department of Veterans Affairs that reviews VA disability claim appeals when a veteran disagrees with a regional office decision. The BVA is staffed by Veterans Law Judges.
Who qualifies for Board of Veterans' Appeals?+
Veterans (and in some cases their dependents or survivors) who meet the program's specific service, discharge, and eligibility rules. Use the BK Calculator and Filing Success Score to check your situation.
How do I apply for Board of Veterans' Appeals?+
Apply at va.gov (search for the program by name) or work with a free accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) through your state VA office.
Where can I get help?+
Start with the VA Appeal Options Explorer to map your path forward, then the VA Appeals Success Score to size up your odds. A free accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) through your state VA office can help you file at no cost.
Source: bva.va.gov