VA Higher-Level Review: How to Get a Rater's Error Corrected in 2026

A Higher-Level Review (HLR) is your appeal option when the VA already has the evidence it needs to approve your claim but the original rater got it wrong. A more experienced senior rater takes a fresh look at your file and can reach a completely different conclusion — without requiring you to gather any new evidence.

What Is a Higher-Level Review?

When you file an HLR using VA Form 20-0996, a senior rater — typically someone with 10 or more years of claims experience — conducts a de novo (from the beginning) review of your entire file. "De novo" is important: it means the senior rater does not start with any presumption that the original decision was correct. They make their own independent judgment based on the same evidence.

Think of it like getting a second medical opinion. Two experienced professionals can review the same information and reach different conclusions. The senior rater may notice evidence the original rater missed, interpret medical records differently, or recognize that a diagnostic code was misapplied.

When to File a Higher-Level Review

HLR is the right choice when you can point to a specific error in how the VA evaluated your claim. Here are the scenarios where HLR works best:

Evidence Was Overlooked

Your file contains medical records, service records, or lay statements that the decision letter does not mention or address. If the rater clearly did not review key evidence, that is an error a senior rater can correct.

Wrong Diagnostic Code

The rater assigned a diagnostic code that does not match your condition, or failed to use the code that would result in the highest possible rating. Each diagnostic code has specific rating criteria, and using the wrong one can dramatically affect your rating.

Rating Percentage Does Not Match Your Symptoms

Your medical evidence clearly documents symptoms that meet criteria for a higher rating under the assigned diagnostic code, but the rater assigned a lower percentage.

Mathematical or Calculation Errors

The combined rating was calculated incorrectly, the bilateral factor was not applied, or effective dates were computed wrong. These are straightforward errors that are easy for a senior rater to verify and correct.

Benefit of the Doubt Not Applied

When evidence is approximately balanced for and against your claim, the VA is required to resolve doubt in your favor. If your decision letter shows roughly equal evidence but the VA ruled against you without acknowledging this standard, that is a correctable error.

The Informal Conference: Your Secret Weapon

One of the most valuable features of a Higher-Level Review is the optional informal conference — a phone call with the senior rater reviewing your case. You request this by checking a box on VA Form 20-0996 when you file.

How It Works

The conference typically happens 60-90 days after you file. The senior rater has already reviewed your file by this point, so they come to the call familiar with your case. The call usually lasts 10-30 minutes, and you can have a representative (VSO, attorney) participate with you.

What You Can Do During the Conference

• Point to overlooked evidence: "The March 2024 MRI on page 47 shows disc herniation, but the decision does not mention it."
• Clarify misinterpreted records: "My doctor noted 'moderate symptoms' referring to frequency, not severity."
• Reference specific rating criteria: "Under diagnostic code 5243, my documented range of motion meets the 20% criteria."
• Describe functional impact: Help the rater understand how your condition affects daily life and work.

What You Cannot Do

• Submit new evidence or medical records
• Introduce facts not already in your file
• Have new witnesses testify

Should You Request One?

Request an informal conference when you can clearly articulate specific errors. Skip it if the errors are obvious (wrong math, clear wrong effective date) and do not need verbal explanation, or if you are not comfortable discussing your case on the phone.

How to File Step by Step

Step 1: Confirm HLR Is Right for You

Read your decision letter carefully. Ask yourself: was the denial because of missing evidence, or because the rater mishandled evidence already in my file? If the problem is missing evidence, use a Supplemental Claim. If the problem is how existing evidence was evaluated, HLR is your lane.

Step 2: Complete VA Form 20-0996

The form asks you to identify which issues you are appealing and whether you want an informal conference. Only appeal the specific issues where you believe an error occurred — you do not have to appeal every issue in the decision.

Step 3: Write an Argument Statement

While optional, a clear written statement significantly improves your odds. In the statement:

• Identify the specific error with page references to your claims file
• Cite the diagnostic code criteria your evidence meets
• Explain how the evidence should have been interpreted
• Address each denial reason individually

Step 4: Submit Before Your One-Year Deadline

You have one year from your decision date. File before the deadline even if you are still refining your written argument — you can submit additional argument after filing.

Step 5: Track Your Status

Monitor your HLR on VA.gov under "Track Claims." If you requested an informal conference, watch for the scheduling notification, which typically comes with one to two weeks of notice.

What Happens During the Review

Weeks 1-4: Your HLR is assigned to a senior rater at your regional office.

Weeks 4-8: The senior rater reviews your entire claims file, including all medical evidence, service records, C&P reports, and your written argument.

Weeks 8-12 (if requested): Informal conference takes place. The rater already knows your file and can ask specific questions.

Weeks 12-20: The senior rater issues a decision that either grants your claim (fully or partially), denies it, or reaches a different conclusion from either you or the original rater.

Understanding Success Rates

Overall HLR grant rates run around 15-20%, with another 10-15% resulting in partial grants. Those numbers sound low, but context matters: many HLRs are filed by veterans who do not have a clear error to point to. When you can identify a genuine, specific mistake — the rater overlooked evidence, applied the wrong code, or made a calculation error — your odds improve substantially.

Cases with informal conferences have slightly higher grant rates, especially when a VSO or representative participates.

If Your HLR Is Denied

A denied HLR is not the end. You still have options within one year:

• Supplemental Claim: Now gather new evidence (nexus letter, updated records) and file with VA Form 20-0995. This is often the best next step after a denied HLR.
• Board Appeal: Send your case to a Veterans Law Judge for a more thorough legal review.
• Another HLR: Only if you believe the senior rater also made a clear error (this is rare and usually not the best strategy).

The key is to analyze why the HLR was denied before choosing your next move. If the evidence is simply insufficient, you need new evidence. If the interpretation is the problem, escalating to the Board may help.

Common HLR Mistakes

1. Filing when you have new evidence — Use a Supplemental Claim instead. This is the most common and most costly mistake.
2. Making vague complaints — "I disagree with the decision" is not helpful. Point to specific evidence, specific criteria, specific errors.
3. Requesting an informal conference without preparing — An unprepared call can actually hurt by signaling to the senior rater that you do not have a strong case.
4. Not understanding your denial reasons — If you cannot explain what error was made, you may not have one. Consider a Supplemental Claim with new evidence instead.