6.
It is possible to get an extension for the 60-day window you have to submit your VA Form 9 or respond to the SSOC.
It is possible to get an extension for the 60-day window you have to submit your VA Form 9 or respond to the SSOC. Simply write to your local VA office handling your appeal and explain why you need extra time to file.
7.You can represent yourself in your appeal if you wish, but most people who appeal obtain representation. You can choose to be represented by a Veteran's Service Organization (VSO) or your state's veterans department. Most VSOs have trained personnel who specialize in providing help with claims and appeals. Your local VA office can provide a list of approved veterans appeal representatives in your area. A private lawyer or recognized agent can also represent you.
You can represent yourself in your appeal if you wish, but most people who appeal obtain representation. You can choose to be represented by a Veteran's Service Organization (VSO) or your state's veterans department. Most VSOs have trained personnel who specialize in providing help with claims and appeals. Your local VA office can provide a list of approved veterans appeal representatives in your area. A private lawyer or recognized agent can also represent you.VA Form 9 (Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals)
VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative)
VA Form 22a (Appointment of Attorney or Agent as Claimant's Representative)
8.If you want representation, fill out a VA Form 21-22 to authorize a VSO to represent you, or use VA Form 22a to authorize an attorney or recognized agent to represent you.
If you want representation, fill out a VA Form 21-22 to authorize a VSO to represent you, or use VA Form 22a to authorize an attorney or recognized agent to represent you.9.Once you have filed your appeal with your local VA office, it will be forwarded to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Your VA office will send you a letter when they receive your claims folder. You have 90 days from the mailing date of this letter, or when the Board decides your case (whichever comes first), to add more evidence to your file, request a hearing (see Step Five) or select/change your representative.
Once you have filed your appeal with your local VA office, it will be forwarded to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Your VA office will send you a letter when they receive your claims folder. You have 90 days from the mailing date of this letter, or when the Board decides your case (whichever comes first), to add more evidence to your file, request a hearing (see Step Five) or select/change your representative. 10.(See Step Three).
(See Step Three).If you need to submit any of these items after the 90 days are up, you must submit a written request to the Board, with an explanation for why the item(s) are late.
11.Until your file is transferred to the Board, your local VA office is the best place to get information about your appeal. After your file has been transferred, you can call (202) 565-5436 to check on its status.
Until your file is transferred to the Board, your local VA office is the best place to get information about your appeal. After your file has been transferred, you can call (202) 565-5436 to check on its status.12.The Board processes appeals files in the order received. It will assign your case a docket number. For example, if your appeal was the very first appeal to be reviewed in the year 1999, it (continued next page)
The Board processes appeals files in the order received. It will assign your case a docket number. For example, if your appeal was the very first appeal to be reviewed in the year 1999, it (continued next page)3/3 RVN Ass’n Vol 1 Issue 2 01/01/2005
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(1) you disagree with your local VA office's claim determination, & (2) you want to appeal it.2.Submit your NOD to the same local VA office that issued the decision you are appealing. If you have moved and your claims file is now maintained at a local VA office other than the one where you previously filed you claim, submit your NOD to the new location.
Submit your NOD to the same local VA office that issued the decision you are appealing. If you have moved and your claims file is now maintained at a local VA office other than the one where you previously filed you claim, submit your NOD to the new location.3.If you have received notice of determinations on more than one claim issue, be specific about which issue or issues you are appealing. For example, if your local VA office made claim decisions on your pension and a medical payment, but you only want to appeal the decision on your medical payment, be sure to note that.
If you have received notice of determinations on more than one claim issue, be specific about which issue or issues you are appealing. For example, if your local VA office made claim decisions on your pension and a medical payment, but you only want to appeal the decision on your medical payment, be sure to note that.4.After receiving the Notice of Disagreement (NOD), the VA will mail the claimant a Statement of the Case describing what facts, laws and regulations were used in deciding the case. A VA Form 9 (Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals) will be included with the Statement of the Case.
After receiving the Notice of Disagreement (NOD), the VA will mail the claimant a Statement of the Case describing what facts, laws and regulations were used in deciding the case. A VA Form 9 (Appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals) will be included with the Statement of the Case.5. If you wish to continue your appeal, you must complete and submit the VA Form 9 within 60 days of the mailing of the Statement of the Case, or within one year from the date the VA mailed its decision, whichever is later. Send your VA Form 9 to the local VA office handling your case; the office will file this and all related information in a claims folder, and will eventually forward it to the Board of Veterans Appeals for review.
On VA Form 9, make sure you clearly state the benefit you want and point out any mistakes you think the VA has made in its decision. If you submit new information or evidence with your VA Form 9, your local VA office, and it will prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).
If you are not satisfied with the SSOC, you have 60 days from the date the SSOC was mailed to submit, in writing, what you disagree with.
Usually, the above is all the paperwork you will need to send to your VA office. The one major exception is if you receive a SSOC covering a new issue. In this case, you must complete a supplemental VA Form 9 covering the new issue if you want to appeal it.
For example, if you are appealing a pension ruling, and before the pension ruling is resolved, you appeal a medical payment ruling and receive an SSOC on the medical payment decision, you must send your VA office a VA Form 9 on the medical payment appeal.
APPEALS CHECKLIST
You want to appeal a VA decision, you have one year from the date you were notified of the VA decision to file an appeal. After that period, the decision is considered final and cannot be appealed unless it involved a clear and unmistakable error by the VA.
To ensure that your appeal to the VA is handled smoothly, browse the appeals checklist, or follow the step-by-step instructions below for submitting an appeal.
Appeals Checklist - Arranged in Chronological Order:
1.If you have received a determination on a VA benefits claim that you do not agree with, send your Notice of Disagreement to the local VA office that processed your claim. Make sure you do it within one year of your determination being mailed out.
If you have received a determination on a VA benefits claim that you do not agree with, send your Notice of Disagreement to the local VA office that processed your claim. Make sure you do it within one year of your determination being mailed out.2. After receiving your Notice of Disagreement, your local VA office will send you a summary of reasons behind its ruling in a Statement of the Case and a VA Form 9. Be sure to fill out and mail back the VA Form 9 no later than 60 days after your Statement of the Case was mailed out, or within one year from the date your original determination was mailed to you, whichever is later.
3. After receiving your VA Form 9, your local VA office will forward all claim materials to the Board of Veterans Appeals. It will notify you when it sends these materials out. You have 90 days after this notification is mailed to submit additional evidence, appoint or change legal representation for your claim, or ask for a hearing.
4. The Board will conduct hearings, if requested, review your appeal and issue a decision. It will grant, remand or deny your appeal. If your appeal is denied, you have 120 days to file another appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. You can also submit a CUE motion or filing reconsideration motion to the Board of Veterans Appeals, or reopen the case at your local VA office. The 120-day deadline is the same for all these appeals.
Steps in filing an APPEAL
1.The first step in the appeal process is for a claimant to file a written Notice Of Disagreement (NOD) with the local VA regional office or medical center that made the decision. This is not a special form; it is simply your written statement that:
The first step in the appeal process is for a claimant to file a written Notice Of Disagreement (NOD) with the local VA regional office or medical center that made the decision. This is not a special form; it is simply your written statement that: 
