VA Higher-Level Review: ask VA to check an error

What Higher-Level Review does

A more senior reviewer checks whether an error or a different reading of the evidence changes the decision. VA Form 20-0996 is the HLR request form. Check VA’s HLR instructions for eligibility and the deadline that applies to the decision.

For your own notes, pair each disputed statement with the record, date, and page you believe addresses it.

Prepare for an optional informal conference

1. Before: agree with your representative who will speak. List each sentence you think is wrong and the record date and page that support your point.
2. During: explain each error and point to evidence VA already had. HLR cannot consider new evidence.
3. After: keep your notes and read VA’s written decision or follow-up instructions.

VA explains the informal conference. Open the before, during, and after walkthrough for call setup, a practical issue outline, and follow-up steps.

What if I need to add evidence?

HLR cannot consider newly submitted evidence. If you need to add a record, compare a Supplemental Claim or an appropriate Board review option. Refer to VA’s evidence rules before treating an upload as part of HLR.

What if VA missed a step in gathering evidence?

Use the HLR DTA process guide to read the next letter, track evidence requests, and understand upload questions. A duty-to-assist (DTA) error means VA missed a required step in helping gather evidence and needs to fix it. Read the next letter to see what VA will do and whether it needs anything from you.

What if VA accepts some facts but still denies the claim?

The DTA and favorable-findings scenario shows how to separate facts VA accepts, called favorable findings, from the question still open. Use the separate DTA evidence guide for the next upload or examination task.

HLR, Supplemental, or Board

Return to the decision-review comparison to compare routes. Write down the latest decision and whether a review is still open. Before changing a review already in progress, check VA’s current instructions and accredited help.

After an unfavorable HLR decision

Keep the new decision and review-rights notice. VA identifies Supplemental Claim and Board routes after HLR. You cannot request HLR of an HLR decision on the same issue. Check VA’s next-option instructions.

Choose the button below when you have received that HLR decision. The next questions ask about its date and the evidence you want considered. The post-decision walkthrough explains what to gather.

Find forms and filing instructions

Open the HLR next-step questions with your decision letter and record references beside you. Your answers give you a checklist and the official instructions for that next step. Use the evidence checklist to gather related records.

Frequently asked questions