Board of Veterans' Appeals

Natural Disasters: Weather-related disasters may qualify as sufficient cause for the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) to advance an appeal on the docket (AOD), which means that the appeal will be adjudicated earlier than it would have based on when it was received by the Board. See 38 U.S.C. § 7107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 20.902(c). Therefore, if you have been impacted by a natural disaster (wild fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.) and you have an appeal pending at the Board, please know that you or your representative may file an AOD motion to request that your appeal be advanced on the docket.


Click here for information on delayed notifications

Click here for the Board’s response to COVID-19

Interested in a Virtual tele-hearing? Click here

If you filed an appeal between February 19, 2019 and March 23, 2021 and believe it may have been improperly rejected as untimely please click here for more information. 


What does the Board do?

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) is a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), located in Washington, D.C.  The Board’s mission is to conduct hearings and decide appeals properly before the Board.


The Board Appeals Metrics page is now available with additional details. The link is also available in the Resources links to the right.

What is new at the Board?

Veterans can now choose where to have their Board hearing! The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) has launched a new virtual tele- hearing option, providing Veterans with the flexibility and convenience of attending Board hearings with Veterans Law Judges (VLJs) and Veteran representatives from a personal computer or mobile device. Virtual tele-hearings are just like video hearings, except the Veteran can participate from their cell phone, tablet, or computer. NO TRAVEL NEEDED! Click here to find out more information and to learn how to sign up for a virtual telehearing!

How do I file an appeal?

Anyone who is not satisfied with the results of a claim for Veterans, benefits (determined by a VA RO, VHA medical center, or other local VA office) can file an appeal.
Click here for instruction on filing an appeal.

Why would I file an appeal?

If you are not satisfied with your initial claim decision, you have the right to file an appeal. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals will review the evidence presented and issue a decision.

Who is my Hearing Coordinator?

Here is a list of Hearing Team coordinator points of contact by region. If Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations or Regional Offices have questions about their hearings these are the appropriate people to contact.  For general inquiries, please access Appeals Status on VA.gov (information below) or phone 1-800-827-1000.
Hearing Coordinators 

How do I find out the status of my appeal?

You can find the status of your appeal by going to va.gov and clicking the sign in box.

What is AMA?

In 2017 the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) was passed taking effect in February 2019, it is now fully implemented at the Board. AMA created a new decision review process. Under AMA Veterans can choose from three lanes to determine the path their appeal will follow. The three lanes to choose from are; supplemental claim, higher-level review, and appealing to the Board of Veterans Appeals. The below graphic can help you decide which is the best lane for you.

[Click here for Details]

What happens during your Board Hearing?