Claim Raven explanation
What this means
A modernized appeal of an agency decision consists of a Notice of Disagreement submitted to the Board under the requirements in sections 20.202 through 20.204.
A supplemental claim or higher-level review request is a different modernized review option and does not constitute a Board appeal. A legacy VA Form 9 also serves a different system.
How this helps your claim
This short rule distinguishes an AMA Board appeal from a legacy Notice of Disagreement sent through the agency of original jurisdiction. The governing sections address the required form, selected issues, Board docket, and who may file.
What to check in your records
Confirm that the Notice of Disagreement was the correct Board form, identified the disputed issues and docket, and was submitted to the Board.
- Keep the decision notice and its modernized-review instructions.
- Save the completed Board Notice of Disagreement and all selected issues and docket choices.
- Preserve proof of the Board’s receipt and the resulting docket notice.
Send the Board appeal to the Board
Use the destination and method printed on the current Board Notice of Disagreement instructions. Filing a correct-looking form with the wrong VA component can create avoidable uncertainty.
List each decision issue you want the Board to review and keep a copy of the completed form. The Board appeal is defined by what the filing places before it.
Is a Higher-Level Review request a Board appeal?
No. It is another review option. A Board appeal under this section requires a Notice of Disagreement submitted to the Board under the cited rules.
Official regulatory text
38 CFR § 20.201
eCFR snapshot: 2026-09-17. Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The full section and its tables are included below.
§ 20.201 Rule 201. What constitutes an appeal.
An appeal of a decision by the agency of original jurisdiction consists of a Notice of Disagreement submitted to the Board in accordance with the provisions of §§ 20.202-20.204.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7105)
Related references
- 38 CFR § 20.200: VA notice of the right to appeal
- 38 CFR § 20.204: Who may file a Board Notice of Disagreement
- 38 CFR § 19.21: Notice of Disagreement rules for legacy appeals
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