A supplemental claim (filed on VA Form 20-0995) is one of three review options under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), which went into effect in February 2019. It's the most flexible lane: you submit new and relevant evidence, and the VA re-reviews your case with fresh eyes.
Unlike a higher-level review (which uses the same evidence as before) or a Board appeal (which can take years), a supplemental claim is designed to be decided within 125 days and gives you the chance to submit evidence you didn't have before.
A supplemental claim is right for you if:
To succeed on a supplemental claim, you must submit evidence that is both new (not previously considered by the VA) and relevant (tends to prove or disprove something material to your claim). This is a lower bar than it sounds — evidence is relevant if it could make a difference in the outcome, not if it guarantees one.
What counts as new and relevant evidence:
Evidence the VA already had in your file doesn't qualify as "new." If you're submitting the same records, you're not filing a supplemental claim — you're filing a duplicate. Get something new before you file.
Identify what you have that the VA didn't consider. If you don't have new evidence yet, get a private medical opinion, buddy statement, or personal statement before filing.
Available at va.gov. List the specific condition(s) you're claiming, the decision date you're appealing, and every piece of new evidence you're submitting.
Don't just reference documents — physically attach them. The VA has a duty to assist, but submitting everything yourself avoids delays.
If your symptoms have worsened or if the original exam was inadequate, request a new C&P exam in writing with your supplemental claim.
File in person at your regional office (get a date stamp), through a VSO (they'll stamp it), via certified mail with return receipt, or online through VA.gov. Your effective date is tied to when you file.
You can switch lanes at any point — a supplemental claim denial can be appealed to the Board, or a Board denial can be followed by a new supplemental claim with new evidence.
If you file a supplemental claim within one year of a denial decision, your effective date can be preserved back to your original claim. This can mean thousands of dollars in retroactive back pay. If more than a year has passed, your effective date will be the date of your supplemental claim filing — another reason to act quickly.
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