VA Form 20-0996 Explained (Higher-Level Review)
How to complete VA Form 20-0996 to request a Higher-Level Review, including how to describe the specific error and why the informal conference checkbox matters.
VA Form 20-0996 requests a Higher-Level Review of an existing decision. No new evidence is allowed — the form asks for the specific error in the prior decision and offers an optional informal conference with the reviewing officer.
Form 20-0996 is short but high-leverage. Because a Higher-Level Review doesn't allow new evidence, every bit of your case has to come through in how you describe the error — and the 'informal conference' checkbox is one of the most consistently under-used features in the entire VA appeals system.
Key Fields on the Form
- Issues under review — list each contention separately if more than one is being challenged
- Specific identified error(s) — be precise about what the VA got wrong, not just that you disagree with the outcome
- Informal conference request checkbox — always check this
- Representative info if you're working with a VSO, agent, or attorney
Identifying the Specific Error
A Higher-Level Review succeeds or fails on how well you articulate the error — not on submitting more evidence, since none is allowed. Common errors worth citing include a misapplication of the rating schedule, failure to consider evidence already in the file, or an inadequate C&P exam that didn't address the required diagnostic questions. Vague statements like 'I disagree with the rating' give the reviewer nothing concrete to evaluate.
Not sure whether HLR, a Supplemental Claim, or a Board Appeal fits your situation?
Compare All Three Appeal PathsWhy the Informal Conference Matters
This free phone call with the reviewing officer lets you or your representative explain the error verbally before the decision is finalized — it's a chance to clarify your position in a way the written form alone can't always capture. Veterans and representatives who request it consistently report better outcomes, and there's no downside to checking the box.
When HLR Isn't the Right Choice
If your actual issue is missing or new evidence rather than a misapplication of existing evidence, a Higher-Level Review won't help — it specifically excludes new evidence from consideration. In that situation, a Supplemental Claim (Form 20-0995) is the correct path instead.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Check the informal conference box, and use your written statement to name the specific error rather than a general disagreement — that precision is what a Higher-Level Review is actually built to evaluate. Educational only. Not legal advice.
Not sure whether HLR, a Supplemental Claim, or a Board Appeal fits your situation?
Compare All Three Appeal Paths