WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsA denial or a low rating is not the end. Under the Appeals Modernization Act you pick one of three lanes. You generally have one year from your decision date to act.
Use when: You have NEW and relevant evidence VA didn't have, or a now-presumptive condition.
You reopen the decision by adding new evidence; a reviewer takes a fresh look. Often the go-to lane when you can strengthen your case.
Use when: You believe VA made an ERROR on the evidence they already had, with nothing new to add.
A senior reviewer re-examines the same evidence to catch mistakes. No new evidence, but you can request an informal call to explain the error.
Use when: You want a Veterans Law Judge to decide your case.
Your appeal goes to a judge. Pick Direct Review (fastest), Evidence Submission (add evidence within 90 days), or Hearing (testify, takes longest).