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VA Form 20-0996Decision review
Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review
Ask a more senior reviewer to review an existing decision based on the evidence already in the record.
Current official form · Verify on official page · forms-library-2026.07.23 · record 11eb4f0fa6b9
When this form is commonly used
Use when you believe VA made an error and you do not need to submit new evidence. An optional informal conference may be requested.
Who completes it
Claimant or authorized representative
What it helps document
- Identifies specific issues for review
- Uses the record as it existed at the prior decision
- Can request an informal conference
- Is different from a Supplemental Claim
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to submit new evidence with this review lane
- Failing to identify the decision and issues
- Providing an unreliable conference contact number
- Choosing the lane before understanding its evidence limits
Official VA form information
Use a fresh official copy
Review the current VA instructions before completing the form. The direct action opens the official government PDF or, for DBQs, the official download directory.
Download destination verified July 18, 2026