VA Form 20-0996: Higher-Level Review

What is VA Form 20-0996?

VA Form 20-0996 is the request for a Higher-Level Review (HLR). Unlike a Supplemental Claim, you are not allowed to submit new evidence. Instead, you are asking a senior, more experienced VA Rater to review your file again because you believe the previous Rater made a legal error or ignored evidence that was already there.

When is this the right choice?

Choose Higher-Level Review if:

• You have a “favorable medical opinion” in your file that the Rater ignored.
• The Rater applied the wrong diagnostic code.
• The evidence for a higher rating was clearly present in your records, but they gave you a lower percentage.

The “Informal Conference”

One of the most powerful features of this form is the option to request an Informal Conference. This is a one-time phone call with the senior reviewer. It’s your chance (or your attorney’s chance) to point out exactly where the error is. We strongly recommend checking the box to request this call.

Common Mistakes

• Submitting new records: If you attach new medical records to this form, the VA will likely close the review and tell you to file a Supplemental Claim instead.
• Being vague: You must be able to identify the specific error the VA made.