How Long Does A Higher Level Review Take?

How Long Does A Higher Level Review Take
4 to 5 months How long does a Higher-Level Review take? Our goal for completing Higher-Level Reviews is an average of 125 days (4 to 5 months). Note: If you ask for an informal conference as part of your Higher-Level Review, it may take us longer to complete.

What is higher level review status?

Higher-Level Review status –


Status	What it means
Status	A higher-level reviewer is reviewing your case	What it means	We received your request for a Higher-Level Review and assigned it to a higher-level reviewer. They will determine if we need any more information from you.
Status	We are correcting an error	What it means	The higher-level reviewer found an error that must be corrected before they decide your case. We’ll contact you if we need more information.
Status	We made a decision	What it means	We sent you our decision on your Higher-Level Review.
Status	Your Higher-Level Review was closed	What it means	We closed your Higher-Level Review. This may be because you didn’t take an action VA requested.

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Status What it means Status You’re waiting for your hearing to be scheduled What it means We received your request for a hearing but haven’t scheduled it yet. Status Your hearing has been scheduled What it means We’ve scheduled your hearing. You’ll receive the hearing information by mail. You can also find information about your hearing in the claim status tool. Check your VA claim status Status Your appeal is waiting to be sent to a judge What it means Your appeal is at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. We haven’t assigned it to a Veterans Law Judge yet. Status Your appeal is with your Veterans Service Organization What it means Your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is reviewing your appeal to prepare additional arguments to support your case. Status A judge is reviewing your appeal What it means A Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is reviewing your appeal. Status The judge is seeking more information before making a decision What it means The judge is getting more evidence or an outside opinion from a legal, medical, or other professional. This additional information will help them make a decision about your appeal. Status The Board is waiting until a higher court makes a decision What it means A higher court is reviewing a group of appeals. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is waiting for their decision because it may affect your appeal. Status The Board made a decision on your appeal What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. Status Your appeal was merged What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals merged your appeal with one of your older appeals that was closer to receiving a Board decision. The Board merges appeals so that you can receive a single decision on as many appeals as possible. Status Your appeals file is open for new evidence What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is holding your case open for new evidence for 90 days. Status We corrected an error What it means A judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals either:

Found an error and had it corrected, or Made a decision that changes your disability rating or eligibility for benefits

We sent you a corrected decision. Status The Board made a decision on your appeal What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. Status We granted your appeal What it means We decided to overturn the original decision. Status You withdrew your appeal What it means You told us not to continue your appeal. Status Your Motion for Reconsideration was denied What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals decided not to reopen your appeal. Status The appeal was closed What it means VA records show that the Veteran filing the appeal is deceased, so we closed this appeal. Status Your appeal was closed What it means We dismissed or closed your appeal. Please contact your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or representative for more information.

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Status What it means Status A Decision Review Officer is reviewing your appeal What it means We received your Notice of Disagreement and assigned your appeal to a Decision Review Officer. They will determine if we need any more information from you. Status Please review your Statement of the Case What it means We sent you a Statement of the Case (SOC) that explains why we can’t grant your appeal. To continue your appeal, you have 60 days to take one of these actions:

Submit VA Form 9 to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, or Opt in to the decision review process

Get VA Form 9 to download Status The Decision Review Officer is finishing their review of your appeal What it means We received your VA Form 9. The Decision Review Officer is reviewing all the evidence in your appeal. Status Please review your Supplemental Statement of the Case What it means We sent you a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) because:

New evidence was added to your case, or We’re requesting more evidence, or We can’t grant your full appeal

Status You’re waiting for your hearing to be scheduled What it means We received your request for a hearing but haven’t scheduled it yet. Status Your hearing has been scheduled What it means We’ve scheduled your hearing. You’ll receive the hearing information by mail. You can also find information about your hearing in the claim status tool. Check your VA claim status Status Your appeal is waiting to be sent to a judge What it means Your appeal is at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. We haven’t assigned it to a Veterans Law Judge yet. Status Your appeal is with your Veterans Service Organization What it means Your Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is reviewing your appeal to prepare additional arguments to support your case. Status A judge is reviewing your appeal What it means A Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals is reviewing your appeal. Status The judge is seeking more information before making a decision What it means The judge is getting more evidence or an outside opinion from a legal, medical, or other professional. This additional information will help them make a decision about your appeal. Status The Board is waiting until a higher court makes a decision What it means A higher court is reviewing a group of appeals. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is waiting for their decision because it may affect your appeal. Status The Board made a decision on your appeal What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals sent you a decision letter about your appeal. Status Your appeal was merged What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals merged your appeal with one of your older appeals that was closer to receiving a Board decision. The Board merges appeals so that you can receive a single decision on as many appeals as possible. Status You requested a decision review under the Appeals Modernization Act What it means You asked to continue your appeal through the decision review process. Status Your appeals file is open for new evidence What it means The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is holding your case open for new evidence for 90 days. Status We corrected an error What it means A judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals either:

Found an error and had it corrected, or Made a decision that changes your disability rating or eligibility for benefits

ul> Check your VA claim status

Claim status tool FAQs Supplemental Claims Higher-Level Reviews Board Appeals Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearing

What is the higher level review approval?

Conclusion – A Higher Level Review (HLR) can be a good option for veterans who are dissatisfied with the result of their initial disability compensation claim. It offers a faster processing time, the option to submit new evidence, and review by a senior VA claims adjudicator.

If you’re considering an HLR, be sure to understand the eligibility requirements, the process for requesting one, and what happens during an HLR.
If you’re still dissatisfied with the result of your HLR, you may have other options for appealing your claim.
Be persistent and don’t give up if you believe you deserve a fair and accurate decision on your disability compensation claim.

If you are interested in learning more about filing for disability benefits, check out our FREE ebook The Road to VA Compensation Benefits,

What is the difference between a supplemental claim and a higher level review?

AMA and The Difference Between VA Higher-Level Review and Supplemental Claims – Both Higher-Level Reviews and Supplemental Claims are a part of the AMA. As of February 2019, the goal of this new law was to reduce pressure on the BVA and streamline claim review decisions.

The average time for appealed claim decisions was previously around four years but has drastically improved to roughly four months. The AMA allows veterans to have their case looked at again through a Higher-Level Review or a Supplemental Claim. While Higher-Level Reviews involve only the same information that was cited in the original decision, Supplemental Claims allow extra evidence to be examined.

Higher-Level Reviews are conducted with no new data by a more experienced reviewer. Supplemental Claims are conducted by a reviewer of the same level, however, the veteran may submit more relevant testimony or evidence to try and appeal the original decision.

How long does it take to get a decision from BVA?

How Long Does the VA Appeals Process Take? How Can I Expedite My Claim? – The length of time it takes a veteran to receive a favorable decision from the VA depends on a variety of factors such as, the number of disabilities the veteran is claiming, the complexity of the case, and the availability of evidence.

However, it is important for veterans to understand how lengthy the process can be. Unless you are filing a fully developed claim, or your appeal is so simple that the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) can issue an award within 30 days, your initial claim can take anywhere from 9-15 months to process.

The VA appeals process timeline for an informal claim is typically within 9-12 months. However, for a formal claim, the average time frame can range anywhere from 18-24 months. There are a few factors that may expedite the VA appeals process : – Filing a Fully Developed Claim, which means the veteran has supplied the necessary evidence to support his/her claim; – Expediting Your Claim, which means having your representative request that the Board expedite your case because of medical need or significant financial hardship; – Appealing a Denial to the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims, which means filing a Notice of Appeal with the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims within 120 days of receipt of the Board’s decision.

Before our law firm get into the numbers, it is important to distinguish between the two claims systems currently in place: the old system, which is often referred to as the “legacy system,” and the new system. In 2019, the new va appeals process came into effect through the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.

This Act restructured the way the VA processes disability compensation claims. It was implemented to simplify and streamline the old appeals process, while giving veterans and their families more flexibility in handling disagreements with VA decisions.

The success of this new process is still up for debate.
Conversely, the legacy system, which most veterans recognize, is still being used for claims filed before the new system went into effect.
Therefore, if you received a rating decision, or a denial letter from the VA, and that decision is dated prior to February 19, 2019, you will be in the legacy system.

A veterans law judge will be assigned to each claim. The judge will look at any new evidence that you may have submitted, then they will issue a decision on your case.

Is a higher level review closed?

An HLR is a closed record review, so no new evidence will be considered in the new decision. You can learn more about HLRs at www.va.gov/decision-reviews/higher-level-review/. new evidence you identify.

Why is my VA claim stuck on preparation for decision?

VA Claim Prep for Decision: Is Preparation for Decision a Good Sign? – How Long Does A Higher Level Review Take Yes, Preparation for Decision is a good sign! This means your VA claim is progressing and nearing the final stages of a VA rating decision: approval, denial, or deferral, Generally, you can expect to receive a VA rating decision within 30 business days of the Preparation for Decision phase.

Pending Decision Approval (average of 7-14 days)

Preparation for Notification (average of 7-14 days)

Decision Notification Sent (average of 7-10 days)

In total, if you filed a Fully Developed Claim (FDC), you should get a rating decision in 90-120 calendar days.

Can you do a supplemental claim after a higher level review?

Yes, you can do a supplemental review claim after a higher level review (HLR). More often than not, the claims process for filing a VA disability claim is not a clear path to success resulting in a first time go. Unfortunately, the biggest issue for most veterans when they’re filing a claim is not understanding the process which includes required paperwork and terminology.

How long does supplemental claim processing take?

Note: Our goal for completing a Supplemental Claim is 125 days.

What is closed review?

A closed review system lets your customers discuss the features, issues, and questions they care about – and your potential customers know what they’re reading is a real account.

What is first review level?

First-level review means a review process that must be exhausted through a managed care organization before an appeal hearing is granted. Once the first-level review process is complete, a notice of decision will be issued by the managed care organization and will identify further appeal rights, if applicable.

Can you do a supplemental claim after a higher level review?

What is the informal conference for higher level review?

The informal conference is your opportunity to speak directly with a higher-level reviewer who has reviewed your case. The sole purpose of the informal conference is to point out errors of fact or law in the decision or decisions you are submitting for review. Informal conferences are optional.