What Is a Supplemental Claim?
If the Department of Veterans Affairs has denied your claim for VA disability benefits or assigned a VA disability rating that you feel is too low, a supplemental claim is one of the options for appealing the decision. But what is a supplemental claim? If you have relevant evidence not included in your original application, you can file a supplemental claim and submit that documentation to strengthen your claim. The VA will review the new evidence and issue another decision.
A successful supplemental claim requires gathering new and relevant evidence and complying with strict deadlines. However, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Veterans Guide is here to help. We can connect you with advocates who have helped countless veterans like you obtain the benefits they earned.
What Is a Supplemental Claim?
Before 2017, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals handled all VA disability appeals. To streamline the process and reduce waiting times, the VA implemented a new system with three categories of VA appeals.
If your claim requires more information, you can submit a supplemental claim. When considering a supplemental claim, the VA does not examine whether the initial decision was incorrect, but instead considers new information relevant to the case.
If you believe the VA made an incorrect decision based on the information already submitted, you can request a higher-level review. However, the VA will not consider any new information in the higher-level review.
You can also choose to file a claim directly with the Board and have a Veterans Law judge rule on your case. However, such appeals can take more than a year.
Why File a Supplemental Claim?
A supplemental claim is the best choice for you in any of the following circumstances:
- Your rejection letter indicated that your claim lacked sufficient evidence.
- You think that more information would improve your case.
- You would like a review of your case based on a new law, such as the PACT Act.
- You received a new diagnosis or test result related to your claim.
While the VA doesn’t set a deadline for filing a supplemental claim, it does recommend that you file within one year from the date on your decision letter. This will preserve the effective date for your benefits.
How to File a Supplemental Claim With the VA
To file a supplemental claim, complete VA Form 20-0995. Include VA Form 21-4142 if you want the VA to obtain and review medical records from a private doctor. Make sure your claim includes your new and relevant evidence.
You can file your forms by mail, fax, or visiting a regional VA office. After you file, the VA may request additional information or require that you undergo a new compensation and pension, or C&P, exam.
While the VA doesn’t have a formal deadline for bringing supplemental claims, it recommends that you file within one year of the date on your decision letter to preserve your effective date for benefits. If more than a year has elapsed, it’s better to file a new claim for increased disability benefits.
Difference Between Supplemental Claim and Other VA Appeals
There are three options to appeal your VA denial:
- A supplemental claim
- A higher-level-review
- An appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
If your original claim was missing information or your case could benefit from new information, you should file a supplemental claim. The VA has a duty to assist in supplemental claims, meaning they must make a reasonable effort to help you gather evidence to support your claim.
If your claim was not missing information, but you feel the decision was incorrect, you should submit it for a higher-level review. At the higher-level review stage, the VA will not accept any new information, but it will look at your objections about how your original case was decided.
You can also opt for a Board appeal and have a federal Veterans Law Judge review your case. Many veterans choose this route after receiving a denial of a supplemental claim or higher-level review. If you are submitting new evidence as part of your Board appeal, the VA does not have a duty to assist you in gathering evidence.
A VA attorney can help determine the right appeal option for you.
What Counts as New and Relevant Evidence?
Any additional evidence you include in your supplemental claim must be both new and relevant. New means that it’s evidence the VA hasn’t seen before, and relevant means it helps prove or disprove an element of your claim.
Examples of new and relevant evidence include the following:
- New medical evidence, such as a nexus letter
- Past medical records that the VA hasn’t yet reviewed
- A buddy statement describing how your condition developed or how it affects your life
- Service personnel files that the VA hasn’t already seen
- A private medical opinion that meets VA criteria
If you are filing a supplemental claim for a presumptive condition under the PACT Act or another change in the law, you don’t have to prove that your service caused your condition. However, you still must demonstrate the severity of your condition.
VA Supplemental Claim Timeline
You can submit your supplemental claim in person, by mail, or by fax. After you submit your claim, the VA will contact you if it requires additional information or a C&P exam.
As of May 2025, the VA takes an average of 104 days, or almost 3.5 months, to process a supplemental claim. However, a decision may take longer depending on the circumstances of your claim.
Common Challenges and How To Overcome Them
Veterans face many challenges when filing a supplemental claim, including understanding their eligibility and determining whether evidence is new and relevant. You may also find collecting evidence difficult, especially if you require a nexus letter from a specialist or specific medical imaging.
It can also be a challenge to keep up with complicated paperwork and VA deadlines, especially when you’re dealing with a disability.
Veterans Guide works with experienced VA lawyers who can help you build a strong claim. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine your eligibility, help you gather evidence, and pursue the best strategy for you.
FAQs About Supplemental Claims
Supplemental VA claims can be confusing. If you don’t see your question answered below, speak to a qualified VA attorney.
Can I File a Supplemental Claim if I Have Already Appealed?
If there’s new and relevant information for the VA to consider, you can file a supplemental claim even if you’ve already appealed the decision. However, you cannot file a supplemental claim while an appeal is still pending.
Can I Add Multiple Conditions?
The information in your supplemental claim must relate to your denied claim. If you’ve developed a secondary condition or have another service-related disability, filing a new disability claim is likely the right choice.
What Happens if My Supplemental Claim Is Denied?
If the VA denies your supplemental claim, you can appeal again. Although the government doesn’t publish the approval rate for VA supplemental claims, many veterans ultimately win their appeals. Working with a qualified VA lawyer can significantly boost your chances of success.
Get Knowledgeable Help With Your Supplemental Claim
A supplemental claim is one option to contest a VA disability benefits decision, whether a denial or a lower-than-expected VA rating. Working with a VA attorney can help you collect evidence and build the strongest claim possible.
At Veterans Guide, we’ve helped thousands of families successfully navigate the supplemental claim process. We can connect you with a skilled and experienced professional who can evaluate your case for free and help you pursue the benefits you deserve. Contact us today to take the first step.
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