HomeVeterans Guide to VA BenefitsFiled Claim - What Happens Next?The Board of Veterans' Appeals

14.13. The Board of Veterans' Appeals

                   Board of Veterans' Appeals

Board of Veterans’ Appeals Response to COVID-19

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) is making changes to keep Veterans safe from exposure to COVID-19 while continuing its mission of providing hearings and deciding appeals.

  1. The Board temporarily suspended all in-person (travel board, video and Central Office) hearings. Virtual hearings remain available. The Board continues to assess the situation in partnership with Veterans Service Organizations and representatives and will resume in-person hearings as soon as possible.

    We ask Veterans to work with their representatives to elect a virtual hearing or to reschedule hearings. Veterans who prefer to wait for travel board, video or central office hearings to resume will receive top priority in hearing rescheduling.

    Click here for information on virtual hearings.

  2. The Board will consider Advance on Docket (AOD) motions on appeals for Veterans impacted by COVID-19; Click here to find out how to file for AOD and what documentation is required.

  3. During this National emergency, the Board will now accept typed signatures on AMA Notices of Disagreement (NOD)VA Form 10182, in lieu of a wet signature.

  4. VA’s current regulations provide flexibility for VA to extend filing deadlines for good cause on a case by case basis. The Board understands that each Veteran/appellant has unique circumstances and the current situation may create challenges for many in meeting some deadlines, therefore the Board will consider requests to extend timelines for good cause. The Veteran or representative can file an extension request in advance or explain it at the time of filing the notice of disagreement or substantive appeal.

For updates on COVID-19 Click here


What does the Board do?

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), located in Washington, D.C.  The Board’s mission is to conduct hearings and decide appeals properly before the Board in a timely manner.

Board Hearing Status
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The Board Appeals Metrics page is now available with additional details. The link is also available in the Resources links to the right.


Affected by a Natural Disaster?

If a Veteran is affected by any natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or flood, he/she may request that his/her appeal be advanced on the docket. Veterans are strongly encouraged to submit their request in writing, and can include evidence such as newspaper clippings, pictures, FEMA declarations etc., in order to support their request. Requests can be sent directly to the Board’s fax line: 844-678-8979 (Toll Free). Veterans are instructed to include their name, VSO’s name (if applicable), and their claim number. For more information on advancement on the docket, please visit our customer service page.


Who is my Hearing Coordinator?

Here is a list of Hearing Team coordinator points of contact by region. 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.
Hearing Coordinators 

How do I Access the Status of My Appeal?

The Status of My Appeal
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Appeals Status on VA.gov 
The VA Launched the appeals status tracker and now Veterans with a compensation appeal can view their past and current appeals issues, receive alerts for deadlines when action is required, preview the next events in their timeline, and see estimates of how long it will take to reach those events.  This is the fastest method for obtaining appeals status for Veterans.  Additional information is in the links at the bottom of the page.


What is Appeals Modernization?

Decision Review Process Slides
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On August 23, 2017, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 was signed into law. The new law takes effect in February 2019.

It creates a new decision review process, which features three lanes:
Higher-Level Review – An entirely new review of the claim by an experienced adjudicator
Supplemental Claim – An opportunity to submit additional evidence
Appeal – Review by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals .

Video overview of the new VA Appeals Modernization Act (AMA): Appeals Modernization Act Brief Explanation.

How do I file an Appeal?

Anyone who is not satisfied with the results of a claim for Veterans benefits (determined by a VA RO, VHA medical center, or other local VA office) should read the pamphlet above.  It is intended to explain the current steps involved in filing an appeal and to serve as a reference for the terms and abbreviations used in the appeal process. Updates to this process as a result of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 are forthcoming.

How do I Appeal? (Pamphlet) 

Board of Veterans’ Appeals Organizational Chart


Additional information about the VA Appeals Status Tool

New VA Appeals Status Tool Provides Tracking and Transparency for Veterans

VA Appeals Status Tool Video

VA Appeals Status Tool Press Release

Appeals Status on VA.gov

Veteran’s Rights
 

Hearings



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