✔️Join VA Claims Insider Elite, get instant access to the ELITE Experience Portal (EEP) and $13,000 worth of proprietary VA claim resources TODAY, and obtain a VA DBQ and Medical Nexus Letters: Veterans will learn EVERYTHING they need to know about requesting a Higher Level Review, from getting their claims denied, submitting one and the whole process itself.
01:40 How to request a higher level review.
05:25 What a higher level review call will entail.
08:01 Higher level review, or should I do a supplemental claim?
09:32 Examples of why you would request a higher level review.
12:17 What happens after the higher level review.
You've submitted your claim, played the waiting game, then BOOM! You open that VA Award Letter and see that you were denied award for your claim.
Veterans, don't worry! The fight isn't over, it has just begun!
There are still things you can do if you do not agree with the decision.
WHAT IS A HIGHER LEVEL REVIEW?
The next step after a denial is to request a HIGHER LEVEL REVIEW (HLR). This will give you the opportunity to have a Senior Level Rating Specialist to Re-Examine your claim!
The VA has updated its appeals system. As of February 19, 2019, you have the option of having your first-time claim or a supplemental claim reviewed without filing an appeal with the Board of Appeals. This helps minimize the time for claims to be processed in the appeal system.
In the new appeal system if you disagree with a decision, you have the following options:
-Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995)
-Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996)
-Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (VA Form 10182)
HOW TO REQUEST A HIGHER LEVEL REVIEW
Only request a Higher Level Review once you have received your Decision Letter from the VA.
This letter will contain the information on exactly why your claim was denied. This is needed to form your appeal and arguments for the HLR Rater.
To request a Higher Level Review, you fill out VA Form 20-0996
After filling out your personal information, you will be asked to select a benefit type. You will pick “compensation” since you are asking for a review of a compensation claim. Then you will be asked to check a box to ask for an informal conference and give a two-hour window (you will be able to pick two options) that you would prefer to have the conference call.
You must be available and able to answer these calls. The Senior rater will only make two attempts. If you don’t answer or respond to their call, the evaluator will proceed with their review and decision without you.
You should expect a call between two and four weeks after the VA receives and processes your request.
You may submit your Higher Level Review request in person at your local VA facility, by mail, or by fax.
Mail:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
FAX: 844-531-7818
WHAT DOES AN INFORMAL CONFERENCE CALL ENTAIL?
This conference is the chance for you to talk to the rater about why you think the decision should be changed, and identify any errors that you believe were made.
In your conference call, you will have 15 minutes per issue to present your case on any errors that were made in the initial decision. This is your opportunity to present any case law or duty to assist errors, you have researched to the rater.
With the Higher Level Reviews which we have seen, some are coming back with favorable decisions in less than a week. This process is increasing the time it takes to get a decision for those veterans who have previously applied. Getting this done correctly could be an option for you moving forward with your claim appeal.
This process is not only confusing but stressful. Dealing with the VA and the Claims process is difficult, but it doesn't have to be! Here at VA Claims Insider, we are Veterans with one goal...To help our fellow Vets get the compensation that YOU DESERVE! If you sick and tired of fighting the VA alone, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
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