How long does this form take to process?

Processing depends on the underlying claim type. The form itself is logged within days; the claim it triggers follows the standard timeline for that claim type.

Do I need a VSO to file this?

No, but accredited VSOs file these forms for free and catch common errors.

VA Forms

2025-05-23· 4 min read

VA Form 20-0995: The Supplemental Claim Form

A step-by-step guide to VA Form 20-0995, the Supplemental Claim form that reopens denied or under-rated claims — including exactly what counts as 'new and relevant' evidence and how to describe it persuasively.

By Claims Desk · Updated 2026-06-15

Quick answer

VA Form 20-0995 is used to file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence. Filing within one year of the prior decision preserves your original effective date, which can meaningfully affect the back pay you're eventually owed.

VA Form 20-0995 is one of the most-used forms in the VA system. Form 20-0995 reopens a previously decided claim with new and relevant evidence under the modernized appeals system (AMA). This guide walks through every section in plain English and flags the lines most veterans miss.

What This Form Does

Form 20-0995 reopens a previously decided claim with new and relevant evidence under the modernized appeals system (AMA).

When to Use It

You have new evidence the VA hasn't previously seen or considered
The prior decision is still within the one-year appeal window
You don't need a fresh legal review of existing evidence (use a Higher-Level Review for that instead)

Want the complete picture of how this process works beyond just the form itself?

See How Supplemental Claims Work

Section-by-Section Walkthrough

Section I — Identifying information.
Section II — The specific issue being supplemented.
Section III — Description of the new and relevant evidence.
Section IV — Authorization to obtain records, if applicable.
Section V — Signature.

How to Submit

The fastest path is electronic filing on VA.gov, which timestamps your effective date the moment you submit. Paper submissions go to the Evidence Intake Center in Janesville, Wisconsin, and take 10–14 days to log.

Describing Your New Evidence Well

Section III is where most Supplemental Claims actually succeed or fail. Be specific — name the exact document, its date, and what it shows, rather than a vague description like 'new medical evidence.' A rater who can immediately locate and evaluate the specific evidence moves your claim forward faster than one left to guess what you mean.

Common mistakes to avoid

Filing without genuinely new evidence — resubmitting the same evidence already considered will fail as duplicative.
Mixing up Supplemental Claim and Higher-Level Review rules, since they follow genuinely different evidentiary standards.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

VA Form 20-0995 is straightforward once you know what each section is asking. Take your time, fill it out completely, and submit electronically when possible.