VA Higher-Level Review: When an HLR May Fit Your VA Decision
Quick answer
A Higher-Level Review (HLR) asks a more senior VA reviewer to look at the same evidence and decide whether an error or a difference of opinion changes the decision. You cannot submit new evidence. You must request it within one year of the decision on your initial claim or Supplemental Claim, using VA Form 20-0996 or online, and you can ask for an optional informal conference.
When an HLR may fit
- VA overlooked evidence that was already in your file.
- VA applied the rating criteria incorrectly.
- VA assigned the wrong effective date based on the existing record.
- You believe a reasonable senior reviewer would weigh the same evidence differently.
If the real gap is missing evidence, a Supplemental Claim is usually the better fit.
The no-new-evidence rule
VA is explicit: you can’t submit new evidence with a Higher-Level Review. The reviewer decides on the record as it stood when VA made the decision. If you need to add evidence, choose a Supplemental Claim or a Board Appeal docket that accepts evidence.
The informal conference
You can request a phone call with the reviewer to point out specific factual or legal errors. It is optional, and VA notes that it can add time. Use it to identify where in the record the error appears; it is not a hearing and new evidence isn’t accepted.
Deadlines and limits
- Request within 1 year of the decision on your initial claim or Supplemental Claim.
- You can’t request an HLR after a previous HLR or Board Appeal on the same issue.
- VA’s stated goal is an average of 125 days.
HLR vs Supplemental Claim
| Question | If yes, consider |
|---|---|
| Do you have evidence VA has never seen? | Supplemental Claim |
| Did VA misread or ignore evidence already in the file? | Higher-Level Review |
| Do you want a judge or a hearing? | Board Appeal |
| Has the condition worsened since the decision? | Increased rating claim |
See all three on the VA appeals page.
Common mistakes
- Attaching new medical evidence, which the reviewer will not consider.
- Using an informal conference to argue generally instead of pointing to specific errors.
- Missing the one-year deadline. If the real issue is a worsened condition, file an increase claim instead; if an exam was inadequate, see C&P exams.
Working with someone on your claim? Learn what a VA-accredited representative is and how to verify one before you sign anything.
Common questions
What form do I use for a Higher-Level Review?
VA Form 20-0996, Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review. Disability compensation HLRs can also be requested online.
Can I submit new evidence with an HLR?
No. If you have new evidence, use a Supplemental Claim or a Board Appeal docket that allows evidence.
What is an informal conference?
An optional call with the higher-level reviewer to identify specific factual or legal errors in the decision. It can add time to the review.
How long do I have to request an HLR?
Within one year of the decision on your initial claim or Supplemental Claim.
Can I request an HLR twice on the same issue?
No. VA does not allow an HLR after a previous HLR or Board Appeal on the same issue.