Fill Out VA Form 20-0996 Online
Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Requests a higher-level review of a VA claim decision by a senior reviewer.
Reviewed July 2026
How it works
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VA Form 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review, asks the VA to have a more senior reviewer re-examine a claim decision. The reviewer looks only at the evidence that was already in your file when the decision was made, checking for errors or differences in how the evidence was weighed.
You can fill out the 20-0996 in the Universal PDF editor, specify the issues you want reviewed, and download the completed PDF ready to sign and submit.
What is VA Form 20-0996 used for
A Higher-Level Review is a fresh look at the same record. No new evidence is added; instead, a senior reviewer examines the evidence that existed at the time of the prior decision and can overturn it based on a difference of opinion or a clear error.
The form also lets you request an optional informal conference, a phone call where you or your representative can point the reviewer to specific errors in the decision.
Who files VA Form 20-0996
Claimants who believe the VA made a mistake with the evidence it already had. If your disagreement depends on evidence the VA never saw, a Supplemental Claim on VA Form 20-0995 is usually the better fit, because the Higher-Level Review lane does not accept new evidence.
Requests are generally filed within one year of the decision date. An accredited VSO representative can help you choose the right review lane and prepare for an informal conference.
How to fill out VA Form 20-0996
Work through these sections:
- Claimant identification: name, Social Security number, VA file number, and contact details
- Benefit type: mark the benefit the decision relates to
- Informal conference: indicate whether you want one and who should participate, you or your representative
- Issues for review: list each issue you disagree with and the date of the decision that addressed it
- Signature and date
Where to send it
Higher-Level Review requests can be submitted online through VA.gov for some benefit types, mailed to the intake address listed in the current form's instructions, or filed through an accredited representative. Check the instructions on the form revision you download for the correct submission details.
Frequently asked questions
No. The reviewer considers only the evidence of record at the time of the prior decision. If you have new evidence, file a Supplemental Claim on VA Form 20-0995 instead.
An optional phone call with the higher-level reviewer where you or your representative can identify specific errors in the decision. It is a chance to focus the review, not to introduce new evidence.
Requests are generally due within one year of the date on your decision notice. Check your decision letter and the current form instructions for the rules that apply to your case.
You still have options. You can file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence on VA Form 20-0995 or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals with VA Form 10182.
Yes. Open the form in the Universal PDF editor, fill in each field on screen, and download the finished PDF to sign and submit.
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