Steps to Apply and Appeal for Service Connected Veteran's Benefits to the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) -- More details below.
| EVENT | VETERAN'S DUE TIMETABLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES |
| RO Initial Claim (VA Form 21-526) | |
| Reopening of previously denied claim | requires new and material evidence |
| RO Acknowledgement of claim | |
| Submission of evidence | |
| Request for hearing before RO | |
| RO scheduling of C&P Exam | If missed, RO can deny claim |
| RO Rating Decision | |
| Notice of Disagreement NOD to RO | One year from RO Rating decision mailing date |
| RO Statement of Case SOC | |
| Submission of new evidence to RO | May be treated by RO as date of sufficient evidence to grant benefits on that date |
| RO Supplemental Statement of Case SSOC | |
| Appeal to BVA at RO (VA Form 9) | 60 Days from Statement of Case (SOC) (or 1 year from Rating Decision) |
| Appeal to BVA at RO (VA Form 9) | 60 Days from Supplemental Statement of Case (SSOC) (1 yr from Rating decision) |
| Notice of Disagreement NOD to RO | 60 Days from SSOC if the claim issue is new - Not in previous Rating Decision |
| RO acknowledgement of BVA Appeal | |
| BVA request for additional evidence and legal arguments | |
| Submission of BVA evidence and arguments | 60 or 90 days from BVA request |
| BVA development of evidence | |
| Personal Appearance before BVA or RO Hearing Officer | |
| BVA Decision of final denial | |
| BVA Decision of partial benefits grant | |
| BVA decision of Remand | Case returns to RO for new decision |
| Appeal to US Court of Veterans Claims (CAVC) | 120 days from BVA decision of final denial or partial grant of benefits |
| Retaining an attorney after BVA Final Decision to reopen | One year from BVA decision of final denial or partial grant of benefits |
| CAVC payment of court costs and notice of appearance | 14 days from date of CAVC appeal |
| Filing of Designation of Record on Appeal from VA (60 days) | |
| Counterdesignation of Record on Appeal | 30 Days from filing of designation of Record on appeal |
| Transmission of Record on Appeal from VA (30 days) | |
| Supplementation of the Record on Appeal | at any time for good cause |
| Veteran's brief to be filed | 60 days from CAVC Clerk's notice that Record on Appeal has been filed |
| VA Brief to be filed (60 days after Veteran's Brief filed) | |
| Veteran's Reply Brief | 14 days from service of VA brief |
| Joint Motion for Remand | |
| Court Order granting Joint Motion for Remand | |
| EAJA Petition due (for attorney only) | 30 days from Court Order approving of Joint Motion for Remand |
| Court Decision | |
| EAJA Petition due (for attorney only) | 30 days from Court Mandate |
| Appeal to US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit | 60 days from judgment of CAVC |
The next level of appeal is to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Visitors since May 8, 2003