VA Form 20-0995 Explained (Supplemental Claim)
How to complete VA Form 20-0995 to file a Supplemental Claim — what counts as 'new and relevant' evidence, section by section, with examples of strong and weak descriptions.
VA Form 20-0995 is used to file a Supplemental Claim. It identifies the issue, the type of new and relevant evidence, and how the VA can obtain it. Filing within one year of the prior decision preserves the original effective date.
Form 20-0995 is short — a single page in most cases — but how you describe your new evidence on it matters more than the form's length suggests. A vague description can trigger unnecessary back-and-forth, while a specific one moves straight into review.
Key Fields on the Form
- Issue(s) being supplemented — list each condition separately if you're supplementing more than one
- Decision date you are challenging — this needs to match your prior decision letter exactly
- Type of new and relevant evidence — be specific about what it is, not just that it exists
- Whether the VA should request it or you'll submit it yourself
What Actually Counts as 'New and Relevant'
Evidence is 'new' if it wasn't previously part of your file, and 'relevant' if it could reasonably affect the outcome of the prior decision. A fresh nexus letter, updated treatment records showing worsened symptoms, or a buddy statement you didn't have before all qualify. Simply resubmitting the same evidence that was already considered and denied does not meet the standard and will typically result in the same outcome.
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See All Your Appeal OptionsDescribing Your Evidence Well vs. Poorly
Weak description
'New medical evidence' — too vague for a rater to act on efficiently, and may trigger a clarifying request that adds weeks.
Strong description
'Nexus letter dated March 2026 from Dr. Smith, addressing direct causation between in-service ankle injury and current arthritis diagnosis' — specific enough that the rater knows exactly what to look for and why it matters.
Timing Matters
Filing within one year of the decision you're supplementing preserves your original effective date. Filing after that window still allows a Supplemental Claim, but it may be treated similarly to a new claim for effective-date purposes — which can affect how much back pay you're eventually owed if approved.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Be specific about what's new and why it matters — vague descriptions slow processing, while a precise, well-documented evidence description moves your Supplemental Claim straight into meaningful review. Educational only. Not legal advice.
Not sure a Supplemental Claim is the right path for your situation?
See All Your Appeal Options