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.

Couldn’t be happier with the service they provided me. After so much time spent working with the VA to grant me disability for my service connected disabilities I was denied. Exhausted with the process and ready to give up a friend recommended this firm to assist me with an appeal. They handled all of it, keeping me updated regularly on progress, and eventually getting me the disability rating that was due. This was the happiest I’ve been to pay an invoice for services received.Kendall Lucy
100 % recomendable, in my humble opinion they are the best. I am very grateful with their assistance in filling my claim with the VA and winning They have done an outstanding job. They are professional ThanksFrancisco Javier Pérez A
They assessed my case as being potentially tdiu qualified and got to work right away. I only provided the information they asked me for and let them do their work. I didn’t hound them, I didn’t pester them, I just let them do their work and provided what they asked for and trusted the process. Within a few months or so I was awarded a tdiu rating. In my case I’m a combat vet of oef, but the Va had denied me twice for a benefit that I know I qualified for. The Perkins-studdard firm got the the benefit I deserved and I am eternally grateful for their expertise and hard work.M C
Jason provided provided outstanding counsel and support. His communication was exemplary, with prompt and informative responses to all my inquiries. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, transforming a potentially stressful experience into a positive one. I cannot recommend their services highly enough. Thanks Jason!Cody
I saw Travis on some YouTube videos. It was the way he worded things, I just felt compelled to contact them about my situation, he seemed trustworthy. Travis told me he thought he could help me. I was hesitant, but proceeded. The claim process was long, but my claim was granted. They are organized and punctual. Jessica and Travis are a strong team. I feel the Lord led me to Perkins & Studdard. I consider Travis an advocate and friend. ThanksCorby Reese
It has been a pleasure working with Jason and firm, very knowledgeable and professional, He did awesome job to get settlement that I need for my workmen comp case which was fair in my case, cause the insurance company was trying low ball me and not give me nothing but Jason fix that ….I truly recommend Perkins&studdard any workmen comp case that you have and also want thank Tina also for helping me along this process Thank you Perkins&studdardjahbari swint
Thank you Jason and Tina for everything you've done. Much appreciated. Great law firm! Great results!! Thank you!!! (Austin and Valerie)Valerie Mellinger
Travis and the team working on my VA claim are awesome. I’m happy with their integrity and diligence on working on my claim.Chris “Greybeard” Mullennix
I can't express enough how great it was to work with Perkins Studdard. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional and keep you aware of everything happening with your case. Very friendly from the front office to Mr. Perkins. I would HIGHLY recommend Perkins Studdard!James Strickland
I recommend Travis for an Veteran that has been dealing with constant denial with claims. He also , cover cost for my nexus letter when I ran into financial troubles , that helped me win my case.edwin Cook

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