Board of Veterans Appeals

The Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) is a step within VA’s appellate process.  Before you get to the BVA, you must file an initial application for benefits and receive a rating decision.  This decision will determine whether your disabilities are service-connected.  Service-connected disabilities will be given a percent rating.

How does the VA appeals process start?

Many veterans disagree with VA’s rating decision for one reason or another.  Initially, the rating decision is appealed by filing a notice of disagreement.  If you want to find out more information about filing a notice of disagreement and the original steps in the appeals process, you may find our article about Decision Review Officer (DRO) appeals helpful.

How do I appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals?

Once you go through the DRO appeal or traditional appeal process, you will receive a new rating decision or a Statement of the Case (SOC).  You have reached the point where you can appeal to the BVA.    You have 60 days from the statement of the case notice letter or from the rating decision notice letter to file an appeal.  The appeal must be filed on a VA Form 9.

Some time (probably long after) you file your VA Form 9, VA will send you a letter notifying you that your file has been sent to the Board of Veterans Appeals.  Read this letter carefully.  It should notify you that you have 90 days to request a hearing before BVA and/or submit additional evidence  in support of your claim.

How should I approach an appeal to the BVA?

There are many important factors to consider in appealing a VA decision.  With BVA appeals, you have to consider:

  • Whether to request a hearing with the BVA
  • Whether to submit additional evidence and what evidence you should submit
  • The deadlines for filing an appeal, submitting additional evidence, and requesting a hearing

Many veterans find it very helpful to have legal representation on a VA appeal.  Our firm has two attorneys accredited to represent veterans in claims and appeals before VA.  They provide free consultations about your case. If you hire us, you only pay us if we are successful in representing you.  Also, if you do pay us, it is only a percentage of the back due benefits.

What happens when the Board of Veterans Appeals decides my appeal?

BVA will then make a decision on your appeal.  This decision can grant your request, deny your request, or remand your request to the VA Regional Office with instructions.  If your claim is granted, the Regional Office should issue a rating decision.  If your claim is denied, you have the option of appealing further to the Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims (CAVC). If you are going to appeal to CAVC, you need to act quickly because there are time limits for filing an appeal.

If you have questions about your case or would like to consider getting help, the best thing to do is to get a free consultation.  You can set one up by calling the phone number or completing the “Need Help” form on the right side of this page.

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Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

Rita BarnesRita Barnes
00:03 20 Jan 22
This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! For doing an awesome job.
Cortex ButlerCortex Butler
18:09 29 Dec 21
I am a Veteran of United States Air Force and was awarded my first 30% in 1996 and have been fighting for my rating for 26 years I came to Perkins and Studdard in 2019 while my mom was in a terrible incident and was given to much anesthesia and through GODS Grace she was spared her life, She is disabled since 2018 and I have been struggling with my life and issues and yet I didn’t call the law firm every 10 minutes or call being rude anytime, I mentioned this as I got to know Jessica more than just a phone call and Mr Studdard was always available when not working on other cases or in court, They always called back and Never had to do a call back, My Review is Simple in Life there peaks and valleys and it doesn’t stop because you have issues, Perkins & Studdard took my case in 2019 in 2021 I received my 100% from VA, I Was Never Rude, I was Never Promised Success, I Was Never Lied too and I was Always Treated with Respect, Friendliness, and Kindness the Real Stuff not a (Money Thing) If You want a firm that Cares about the Client and will work on your case even through a pandemic, Will not lie, will not promise anything will communicate your case and will Give you their Best ALWAYS THIS IS THE Best Law Firm for VETS HANDS DOWN Perkins and Studdard THERE IS NO OTHER 100% we had 5 calls Total Case That’s Taking Care Of Business
annetteMomma nokesannetteMomma nokes
14:29 12 Sep 16
Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. injury case. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. They denied extra physical therapy. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. When I turned my case over to Jason things turned around, QUICK. They were at all times attentive and on top of my case. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side.
Sheila KirklinSheila Kirklin
23:11 12 May 16
Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Jason is a excellent lawyer and if I ever need another one I would only go to Perkins,Because I believe they would be able to help me in any situation I am in need of..
Anna PabonAnna Pabon
23:16 13 Sep 15
I recommend Perkins Law Firm. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me.
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