Getting denied for VA disability benefits can be incredibly frustrating—especially when you know your claim is valid. But a denial doesn’t have to be the end of your case. Many Veterans don’t realize that they have the right to reopen a denied claim—and in some cases, this second attempt can be more successful than the first.
At Veterans Valor, we regularly assist Veterans with reopening their claims. Understanding how and when to take this step can make all the difference in securing the benefits you deserve.
When Can You Reopen a Claim?
If your original claim was denied and that decision became final (meaning the appeal period expired), you can still reopen it by filing a Supplemental Claim. To do this, you’ll need to submit new and relevant evidence—something that wasn’t included in the original decision.
New and relevant evidence could include:
Updated medical records showing a diagnosis or worsening condition
A new nexus letter from a medical professional linking your condition to service
Lay statements from family, friends, or fellow service members
Service records that weren’t reviewed the first time around
The VA won’t just reprocess your old claim. The key is presenting new information that could change the outcome.
Why Claims Are Denied in the First Place
Often, Veterans are denied benefits because they didn’t have enough supporting evidence or because the VA didn’t fully assist in collecting it. Common reasons for denial include:
No medical diagnosis provided
Lack of a clear connection (nexus) to service
Missing or incomplete service records
VA failing to schedule a proper C&P exam
These mistakes are fixable. And if you address them properly, your reopened claim could be successful—even after a previous denial.
Steps to Reopen Your Claim Successfully
Request a Copy of the Denial Letter: Understand exactly why your claim was denied. Look at the reasoning and what evidence was considered.
Gather New and Relevant Evidence: This could mean seeing a specialist, getting a medical opinion, or locating service documents that were overlooked before.
File a VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim): This is the form you’ll use to officially reopen your claim. Be sure to include the new evidence along with it.
Consult a Pre-Filing Consultant: At Veterans Valor, we help you understand what qualifies as “relevant” evidence and assist in building a strong case before submission.
Follow Up: Don’t let your claim sit in limbo. Track its progress through the VA system and stay engaged throughout the process.
Why Working with a Consultant Matters
Reopening a denied claim is more than just filing a new form. It’s about fixing what went wrong the first time and making your case bulletproof. Veterans Valor was created to support Veterans through exactly this type of challenge. We understand the process, the mistakes the VA often makes, and how to correct them efficiently.
Don’t give up because of a denial. Reopening your claim could be your path to finally getting the support and compensation you’re entitled to.
