what information will my attorney send to the va concerning my bva appeal

by Lorna Davis 5 min read

Overview of the BVA Appeal Timeline The VA Regional Office will send a Statement of the Case (SOC) after it receives a veteran’s NOD. The SOC explains the evidence, laws and regulations that the VA used in its claim decision.

Full Answer

How long does the VA appeals process take?

Jun 07, 2021 · In order to appeal the VA’s initial decision, a veteran must file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the VA Regional Office within one year after the VA issues the decision. The NOD must be submitted through VA Form 21-0958 and should include specific information about why the VA made a mistake when it denied the veteran’s claim or gave an inadequate …

How to file a VA appeal?

If you’re using VA Form 9 to appeal a VA decision you received before February 19, 2019, you're on the right page. If you're appealing a VA decision under the new process, go to Board Hearings with a Veterans Law Judge. You’ll follow the new process if you’re: Appealing a VA decision you received on or after February 19, 2019

What is the VA appeal process?

The BVA has three options for your appeal: approve your benefits, uphold the denial of your benefits, or send your case back to the local VA office to collect additional information. If you are denied benefits, your attorney can help by appealing your case to the BVA for a second time or by filing an appeal with the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Who oversees VA appeals?

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) is the appellate body of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), meaning it has the ability to overrule a decision made by a VA regional office. When you appeal a decision to the BVA, it reviews your case de novo. This means the Board gives your claim and the evidence you submit a fresh look.

How do I submit evidence to the Board of veterans appeals?

Submit your appeal form by mail, in person, or by fax Bring your completed form to a VA regional office. Fax your completed form to 844-678-8979. You can also ask a regional office for a copy of this form to fill out.Sep 29, 2020

What should you do if you have an inquiry regarding an appeal that has been certified to the Board of veterans appeals BVA )?

If Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations or Regional Offices have questions about their hearings these are the appropriate people to contact. For general inquiries, please access Appeals Status on VA.gov (information below) or phone 1-800-827-1000.

What does favorable findings identified in this decision?

Importantly, even if your claim is denied, the VA will include favorable findings identified in this decision. These favorable findings could show that you do in fact have a diagnosis for the injury or illness for which you applied.May 7, 2019

How long does the VA have to respond to an appeal?

Return VA Form 9 (PDF) to the VA regional office within 60 days from the date on the Statement of the Case. Or opt in to the new decision review process. You have 60 days from the date on the Statement of the Case to opt in to the new decision review process.Mar 26, 2021

How long does it take for a veterans law judge to make a decision Reddit?

From the time a veteran files his formal appeal (Form 9) until the VA certifies the case to the Board, the average wait time is 609 days. And then the veteran can expect another 212 days, on average, for the Board to make a decision.

What are the stages of a VA appeal?

Step 1: The Original Claim. ... Step 2: The VA Rating Decision. ... Step 3: The Veteran's Notice of Disagreement (NOD). ... Step 4: The Decision Review Officer (DRO) review process. ... Step 5: The VA's Statement of Case (SOC). ... Step 7: The BVA Hearing. ... Step 8: Appeal to the CAVC. ... Step 9: Appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.More items...

What happens after VA decision letter?

If your claim was granted, the decision letter will establish your disability rating as well as an effective date. Your VA-assigned effective date will correspond to the date that the claim was filed. Most importantly, this is the date that VA will also use as a start date for the payment of your disability benefits.Apr 4, 2021

How do you tell if your VA claim was approved?

You can check the status of your VA claim, appeal, or decision review on VA.gov. You'll need to sign in first with DS Logon, My HealtheVet, or ID.me. If you don't have any of these accounts, you can get one now. If you need help, please call us at 800-827-1000.Dec 21, 2020

What does it mean when the VA sends a development letter?

What “VA Development Letter Sent” Means on eBenefits. Development letters are typically sent in the early stages of your claim. They acknowledge that you have submitted a claim and may ask you for additional evidence if you have any to add. This letter is legally required to be sent to anyone who submits a claim.

How successful are VA appeals?

In 2018, the percentage of appeals approved with an attorney was 44.61%, while only 27.22% of appeals were approved with no representative. In 2019, 46.31% of appeals were approved with an attorney, while only 26.18% were approved with no representative.

How long does it take a VA judge to make a decision after hearing?

90 daysGenerally, the veterans law judge will wait a least 90 days after the hearing to provide their decision. This allows time for submission of any additional evidence if the veteran chooses to do so.Jul 19, 2021

How long does VA evidence gathering take?

30 to 90 DaysEvidence Gathering: 30 to 90 Days The VA will review any evidence that you provided with your claim. If more evidence is needed for your claim, you may be contacted by a VSR to go to a Compensation and Pension exam (C&P Exam).Dec 23, 2019

Why might I want a Board hearing?

You might want a Board hearing if you think it’ll help support your appeal to discuss your case with a judge.

Do I have to have a Board hearing?

No. Board hearings are always optional. Learn more about Board hearings: Schedule your Board hearing Prepare for your Board hearing Find out what t...

How do I request a Board hearing?

You can request a Board hearing when you fill out your VA Form 9. The form will ask you to choose 1 of these 4 options: No hearing. If you choose...

How will I know when my hearing is scheduled?

You’ll receive a notice in the mail at least 30 days before your hearing is scheduled.

What if I need to reschedule my hearing?

Send a written request to reschedule your hearing at least 2 weeks before your scheduled hearing. Include your name and the VA file number for your...

What if I need to cancel my hearing?

Send a written request to cancel your hearing at least 2 weeks before your scheduled hearing. Include your name, the VA file number for your claim,...

What new evidence should I bring to my hearing?

If you’ve already submitted evidence, the judge will be able to review it on their computer, and it’s not necessary to bring it to your hearing. Bu...

Can I get help preparing for my hearing?

Yes. You can get a representative to help you prepare for the hearing and present your information to the judge. This person may be a lawyer, a cla...

What will happen at my hearing?

To start, the Veterans Law Judge will ask you to take an oath that you’ll tell the truth during the hearing. You’ll then: Tell the judge why you th...