Appeals
The difference between “Rated at 0%” and “Denied”:
Please review your rating decision and look for the words “denied” or “service-connected at 0%”.
If you are service-connected at 0%, the VA recognizes your disability was directly caused by military service. However, at the time of the rating decision, your disability did not meet the VA’s guidelines for payment. It does, however, open the door for lifelong treatment for the service-connected disability through a VA facility or via the VA’s Mission Act.
If the word “denied” is in your rating decision and you want to appeal, please do the following:
- Provide new and not yet submitted evidence, including current diagnoses and treatment records for the claimed disabling condition that has been denied. Please include copies of all newer medical records from every doctor’s office and/or medical center that treated you (including each doctor’s and medical center’s name, address, and phone number) for every condition you are claiming
All medical records must be paper copies, not CD or DVD
You have one year from the date of your VA rating decision to file an appeal.
Click here to learn about VA appeal procedures: https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asp