VA Form 20-0996 (Higher-Level Review, or HLR) asks a more senior reviewer to take a fresh look at your claim — using only the evidence already in your file. It's the lane for when you believe the VA simply got the decision wrong on the record it had.
The key rule: no new evidence
Unlike a Supplemental Claim, an HLR does not accept new evidence. The senior reviewer re-examines the same file. If you have new evidence, a Supplemental Claim (20-0995) is your lane instead.
The informal conference
With an HLR you can request an informal conference — a phone call where you (or your representative) point the reviewer to the specific error in the prior decision. This is a real chance to flag exactly what went wrong.
When to choose HLR
- •The right evidence was already there, but the VA misread it or misapplied the rules.
- •You want a fresh set of (more senior) eyes without starting evidence-gathering over.
The one-year window
File within one year of your decision to keep your original effective date.
Tip
HLR works best when you can name the error precisely. Read the decision's "reasons and bases" closely and pinpoint where the reviewer went off track.
VA forms mentioned in this guide
Put this to work
Upload your decision letter and pinpoint the error in the VA's reasoning — so your Higher-Level Review targets the real problem.
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A VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) helps with your claim at no cost — filing, evidence review, and appeals. Find an accredited representative on VA.gov →
This guide is educational information about the VA claims system — it is not legal or medical advice, and it does not predict or promise any claim outcome. Regulations and procedures change; always verify current requirements at VA.gov. VA Claim Commander is a self-service documentation tool, not a VSO, law firm, or VA-accredited representative.