Your Three Appeal Options
Higher-Level Review (HLR)
No new evidence. A senior reviewer looks for legal or factual errors.
Supplemental Claim
New and relevant evidence that was not previously considered.
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
A Veterans Law Judge reviews the case. Slower, but sometimes necessary.
Common mistake
Filing HLR when new evidence is required, or filing a Supplemental Claim without actually submitting new evidence.
Appeals Preparation PDFs
These worksheets help you decide which appeal lane fits your denial and what evidence or arguments may be missing.
Appeals & HLR Decision Worksheet
Helps determine which appeal option applies and what to fix before filing.
Download PDF
Not sure which appeal option applies?
Use the VA Benefits Assistant
to identify whether HLR, Supplemental, or Board appeal makes sense.