Getting help
How do I appeal a VA education decision?
The three VA decision review paths for education benefits, how they differ, and the school records that can support your request.
If you disagree with a VA decision about your education benefits, you can ask the VA to review it through its decision review process on VA.gov. The usual options are a Higher-Level Review, a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, or an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals by filing a Notice of Disagreement. I cannot give legal advice on your case, but I can help you gather the school records that support it.
The three review paths
- Higher-Level Review: a more senior reviewer looks at the same evidence again.
- Supplemental Claim: you submit new and relevant evidence the VA did not have.
- Board appeal: you file a Notice of Disagreement to take the decision to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
- Read the decision letter closely. It explains what was decided and your deadlines.
- Ask your certifying official for the records that matter, such as certified term dates or enrollment history.
- Collect other documents, like medical records or letters that explain mitigating circumstances.
- Choose a review option and file it through VA.gov.
- Keep copies of everything and a log of every contact.
VR&E decisions can also be reviewed. You can ask for a review by a different counselor or file a Notice of Disagreement. For debts, you can also request a waiver or dispute the debt with the Debt Management Center.