Have you been denied a VA claim? Don’t give up hope. If you disagree with a decision review within 1 year, you can request another review. But even years after an initial denial, you may be able to reopen your claim. This is where VA Form 20-0995, the Supplemental Claim form, and new and material evidence come into play. To be eligible to reopen your claim, you must have received a final decision on your initial claim. This means all appeals have been exhausted. Fortunately, the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) of 2017 has streamlined the process of reopening claims.

What Is VA Form 20-0995, and Why Is It Important?

VA Form 20-0995 is designed for veterans who want to reopen a denied claim by presenting new and material evidence that directly addresses the reasons for the denial. It enables a veteran to request a fresh review without forfeiting the option to pursue other appeal lanes, such as the Higher-Level Review or a Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. Under the AMA, this process is faster than traditional appeals, offering a focused review of only the new evidence submitted.

Eligibility Criteria for Reopening a VA Claim in 2025

Providing new and material evidence is crucial when trying to reopen a denied VA claim because it forms the foundation for reconsideration. This evidence could be fresh medical diagnoses, updated service records, or new witness statements, and it must directly address the specific reasons your claim was denied.

• Compelling Evidence: The evidence must be compelling enough that ignoring it would be unjust. Such evidence can potentially lead to the approval of benefits that were previously denied.
• Legal Standards: It must meet the VA’s legal standards of being both “new” and “material”.

Knowing what qualifies can help you gather and present the right information, making a strong case for reopening your claim. For example, if your disability claim was denied due to insufficient medical documentation, providing updated medical records or an expert opinion may fulfill this requirement.

Learn more with our article: Submitting New & Material Evidence: Timelines and Processes.

Types of Claims That Can Be Reopened

When dealing with the VA, it’s important to know that different types of claims have their own rules for reopening. For example:

• Disability Compensation Claims: Can be reopened if you provide new and material evidence that wasn’t part of your original claim. This is a common route for veterans seeking compensation for service-related injuries or conditions.
• Pension Benefits Claims: These are based on financial need rather than service-related issues. If your initial pension benefits were denied, you can submit new evidence like updated income information or recent medical diagnoses to potentially reopen your case.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Claims: For surviving family members of veterans. These claims can be reopened with new evidence such as service records or medical documents linking the veteran’s death to their service.

Keep in mind, reopening a claim won’t preserve your original filing date; any retroactive benefits will be based on the date you filed the request to reopen, not the original one.

How to Complete VA Form 20-0995

1. Download the Form: Access VA Form 20-0995 from the VA’s official website.
2. Complete All Sections: Include a detailed description of your new evidence.
3. Attach Supporting Documents: Gather medical records, service documents, or statements supporting your claim.
4. Submit the Form: Use the VA’s online portal or mail it to the nearest VA claims intake center.
5. Track Your Submission: Log in to the VA’s online system to monitor your claim’s progress.

Appeals Modernization Act (AMA)

The AMA has simplified and accelerated the VA claims process. Key updates include:

• Veterans can file multiple Supplemental Claims if additional evidence becomes available.
• AMA preserves your right to other appeal options, such as Higher-Level Review or filing a Notice of Disagreement.
• Processing times for Supplemental Claims remain significantly faster compared to older systems.

Learn about the Key Changes Implemented by the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA): VA Disability Claim: A Guide to New Evidence & the AMA.

What If Your Claim Is Denied Again?

If your claim is denied again, don’t lose hope—there are several actions you can take to keep fighting for your benefits:

• File an Appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA): Submit a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to allow for a new review of your case and potentially a hearing to present additional evidence and arguments.
• Higher-Level Review: For cases where the initial review may have missed important details. This option does not involve new evidence but benefits from a more experienced reviewer. Get help: Contact Trajector Medical for FREE and get the best possible medical evidence to support your claims. *

Why Choose Professional Assistance?

VSOs or accredited attorneys or agents may be able to help and Trajector Medical‘s medical evidence development is sure to help you have the best possible medical evidence to support your claims. *

*Trajector Medical is not an accredited attorney or agent and does not represent veterans before the VA. This article is provided as information only. For more information, see the Department of Veteran’s Affairs FAQs at https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/ or consult with a VSO or other representative. For expert medical evidence development in support of your VA claims, contact Trajector Medical today.