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.

I could not have asked for a better lawyer to represent my worker comp. case. Any questions I had during the process was always answered in a timely manner. Mr. Perkins really cared about insuring that I wasn't being taken advantage of during this process and helped us reach a settlement that I feel comfortable with. I would recommend this firm to my parents or children.syndel Laber
I'm so thankful and grateful for all the hard work Jason, Tina and Liz did for me. They went above and beyond to get the best outcome for me. They took the to explain everything that was going on with my case again I'm so thankful grateful and happy with the outcome of my workers comp case.Adrian Adams
First off, I must say thank you again to the office of Perkins Studdard. I appreciate all the hard work and dedication your office has shown to achieve a successful and happy outcome. You have forever changed my family’s life! Also, I wanted to give a special shoutout to Jessica Hyatt for her excellent attitude, advice, and overall professionalism throughout every step of this process. This journey has finally been complete after more than a decade of being denied and almost giving up. However, two of my old coworkers advised me that the office of Perkins Studdard had also successfully helped them achieve their proper rating too. Needless to say, this has been one of my best decisions in life. I can now sleep a little better and stress free knowing I finally got what I deserved all along. Once again, thank you for everything! And shoutout to Travis Studdard, “we did it.” Respectfully, Jonathon FloresJonathon Flores
My family and I are so grateful for Jason Perkins and his team. Jason explains thing's to detail and walks you through every step of your case. I would highly recommend Perkins Studdard for your legal needs. Thank you so much Jason and Tina!Chapin & Lea Anne Warner
The best I know for workers comp attorney'sDenise Williams
Jason really has helped me so much through this hard experience I have went through! And the ladies in the office was wonderful with any and everything I had questions about! I highly recommend using this lawyer office to everyone and Jason Perkins for sure!! Thank y'all for everything and making it easier to get through this long though experience! James HammittJames Hammitt
Thank you so much ! I received excellent representation from the entire Perkins Studdard Law firm, my VA claim was resolved and granted in a timely manner, they were hands on with me during the entire process. I would definitely recommend the firm to any veteran deciding to file a VA claim.Darrell Lynn
I would like to thank the law firm of Perkins-Studdard (Travis) and his team, for performing such an outstanding job, at every possible level, during my recent situation with the VA Disability Claims . From the first time I called and spoke with Mr Studdard with an overview of my situation, until the final settlement was executed (successfully I may add), I always felt that I was in good hands with this firm. Everyone in the office, Jessica, and April were responsive, approachable, knowledgeable, good listeners, and extremely professional. Mr. Studdard was realistic of the circumstances and of the potential difficult process that would lay ahead, should I proceed. I can’t say enough about Travis, and I will always be thankful to him. Travis was committed, and he instilled a real sense of confidence during both the highs and the lows. He ultimately prevailed and the outcome was very much in my favor. Of course, each case is different on its own merits and one can never predict how things ultimately will turn out. All I know is that the settlement far exceeded my expectation. Mr. Studdard has been a blessing to me. I strongly recommend that anyone who would find themselves in a similar legal situation with the VA to contact Law Offices of Perkins Studdard for a consultation. It was a very positive experience given the circumstances. Thank you again, I shall forever be in your debt.Concetta Hogg
Mr. Perkins, I cannot express enough how thankful I am for your exceptional representation. Your hard work, expertise, and unwavering commitment to my case have left an indelible mark. Thanks to you, I can now move forward with my life, confident that justice has been served.Esli Roque
Travis and his team have been a blessing for me and my family. They have done an amazing job in helping me navigate the VA appeals process. They kept their eye on the ball all the way through the long, difficult and confusing process. I highly recommend Travis and his team because thanks to their professionalism and know how, I got the benefits I deserve.Daniel patriot

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