- Outreach and Transition Programs
- Compensation
- Education & Training
- Education & Training Home
- For Students
- Get Started
- Education Programs
- Education Programs Home
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- VET TEC
- Montgomery GI Bill
- VEAP
- Survivors & Dependent Assistance
- Accelerated Payments
- Co-Op Training
- Correspondence Training
- Entrepreneurship Training
- Flight Training
- Institutions of Higher Learning
- National Call to Service Program
- Licensing and Certification Tests
- National Tests and Prep Courses
- Non-College Degree Programs
- On-The-Job and Apprenticeship
- Tuition Assistance Top Up
- Tutorial Assistance
- Workstudy
- For School Administrators
- About GI Bill
- Contact Us
- Veteran Readiness & Employment
- Home Loans
- VA Home Loans
- Mortgage Assistance
- Foreclosure Avoidance
- Purchase & Cash-Out Refinance Loan
- Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan
- Temporary Buydown
- Native American Direct Loan
- Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)
- Appraisers/SARs
- Lenders
- Real Estate Professionals
- Servicers
- Training
- Technology Knowledge Center
- Life Insurance
- Life Insurance Home
- Access My Policy Online
- SGLI: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance
- VGLI: Veterans' Group Life Insurance
- FSGLI: Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance
- TSGLI: SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection Program
- S-DVI: Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance
- VALife: Veterans Affairs Life Insurance
- VMLI: Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance
- Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will
- Accelerated Benefits Option
- Other VA Life Insurance
- Pension
- Appeals Modernization
- Services
- Applying for Benefits
- Locations
- VBA Performance
- Media and Publications
- About VBA
Appeals Modernization
The Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 became law on August 23, 2017 (Pub L. 115-55). It is also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). You can read the law in full on Congress.gov.
The law:
- Modernizes the claims and appeals process
- Includes three decision review options for disagreements with benefits decisions
- Requires improved notification of VA decisions
- Provides earlier claim resolution
- Ensures you receive the earliest effective date possible
What are the new options for review?
You have three options for review:
Option 1: Higher-Level Review
Your claim is reviewed by a more senior claims adjudicator and involves:
- A higher-level de novo review (new look) of the decision
- No submission of new evidence allowed
- The possibility of overturning the decision based on
- A difference of opinion
- A clear and unmistakable error
The reviewer, who identifies or learns of a duty to assist error, can return the claim to the regional office for correction. At the time of application, you or your representative can request an informal conference to identify errors of law or fact in the decision.
Option 2: A Supplemental Claim
You can submit or identify new and relevant evidence to support your claim. VA will provide assistance in developing the evidence.
Option 3: Appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals
This option allows you to appeal directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. You can choose between three options:
- Direct review: You do not want to submit additional evidence or have a hearing.
- Evidence submission: You want to submit additional evidence without a hearing.
- Hearing: You choose to submit evidence and have a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.
Connect with VBA
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
-
Instagram
-
YouTube
- VBA Support: 1-800-827-1000
- GI Bill: 1-888-442-4551
- VBA Toll-Free Numbers
- Find your nearest VA Benefits office.
Frequently Visited
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420
Last updated April 16, 2025
Get help from Veterans Crisis Line
- Call 988 (Press 1)
- Text to 838255
- Chat confidentially now
- Call TTY if you have hearing loss 1-800-799-4889
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources.