Board of Veterans' Appeals, The Purplebook: BVA Adjudication Procedures Manual, Version 1.0.2 (September 2018)

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VA.gov Contact VA VA Resources Board of Veterans' Appeals Home Menu Home &raquo; Board of Veterans' Appeals This Site About Annual Reports Better Decision Quality Leading to Fewer Court Appeals Board Organization Contact Us Decision Wait Times Improvements of AMA Appeals System More Board Personnel Address Pending AMA Appeals and Wait Times Requirements to Work Cases in Docket Priority Order Veteran Choices for Type of Board Appeal Influences Wait Times Veterans Law Review Veterans Law Review Workload Challenges of Two Separate Appeals Systems Related Links Learn how to appeal to the Board Job Opportunities VA Forms Search Decisions VA Appeals Status Tool Press Release Department of Veterans Affairs Administration and Staff Offices ▼ Office of the Secretary National Cemetery Administration Veterans&#8217; Benefits Administration Veterans&#8217; Health Administration Advisory Committee Management Office Board of Veterans&#8217; Appeals Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication Office of General Counsel Office of Human Resources and Administration and Operations, Security, and Preparedness Office of Information and Technology Office of Management Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Office of Regulation and Policy Management Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office of Survivor’s Assistance Office of the Inspector General Tribal Government Relations VA History Office Veterans Experience Office Programs and Initiatives ▼ Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Center for Minority Veterans Center for Women Veterans Freedom of Information Act Homeless Programs and Initiatives I CARE National Center for PTSD PACT Act Performance Dashboard VHA National Center for Patient Safety National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Suicide Prevention VA Grants Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program Veterans Legacy Program VA Police Resources for VA Staff ▼ Emergency Resources Employee Resource Center Financial Policy Documents Access Your Benefits on VA ▼ VA.gov Health Care Disability Education and Training Careers and Employment Pension Housing Assistance Life Insurance Burials and Memorials Records Service Member Benefits Family Member Benefits About VA ▼ About the Department Senior Staff Biographies Resource Index VA History Veterans&#8217; Day Volunteer or Donate Menu This Site Related Links Department of Veterans Affairs < Back This Site About Annual Reports Better Decision Quality Leading to Fewer Court Appeals Board Organization Contact Us Decision Wait Times Improvements of AMA Appeals System More Board Personnel Address Pending AMA Appeals and Wait Times Requirements to Work Cases in Docket Priority Order Veteran Choices for Type of Board Appeal Influences Wait Times Veterans Law Review Veterans Law Review Workload Challenges of Two Separate Appeals Systems < Back Related Links Learn how to appeal to the Board Job Opportunities VA Forms Search Decisions VA Appeals Status Tool Press Release < Back Department of Veterans Affairs Administration and Staff Offices ▼ Office of the Secretary National Cemetery Administration Veterans&#8217; Benefits Administration Veterans&#8217; Health Administration Advisory Committee Management Office Board of Veterans&#8217; Appeals Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication Office of General Counsel Office of Human Resources and Administration and Operations, Security, and Preparedness Office of Information and Technology Office of Management Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Office of Regulation and Policy Management Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office of Survivor’s Assistance Office of the Inspector General Tribal Government Relations VA History Office Veterans Experience Office Programs and Initiatives ▼ Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Center for Minority Veterans Center for Women Veterans Freedom of Information Act Homeless Programs and Initiatives I CARE National Center for PTSD PACT Act Performance Dashboard VHA National Center for Patient Safety National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Suicide Prevention VA Grants Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program Veterans Legacy Program VA Police Resources for VA Staff ▼ Emergency Resources Employee Resource Center Financial Policy Documents Access Your Benefits on VA ▼ VA.gov Health Care Disability Education and Training Careers and Employment Pension Housing Assistance Life Insurance Burials and Memorials Records Service Member Benefits Family Member Benefits About VA ▼ About the Department Senior Staff Biographies Resource Index VA History Veterans&#8217; Day Volunteer or Donate VA Resources VA Locations Resources and Support Outreach and Events VA News VA Careers Business with the VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals – Board hearing overview What happens during a Board Hearing? View the hearing Who and what is the Board of Veterans’ Appeals? On July 28, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) by Executive Order 6230, Veterans Regulation No. 2(a). The Board was delegated the authority to render the final decisions on appeal for the Administrator (now Secretary) and was directly responsible to the Administrator (Secretary). The Board was charged “to provide every possible assistance” to claimants and to take final action that would “be fair to the Veteran as well as the Government.” The Board continues to meet this charge. Learn more about us Additional resources About the Board Annual Reports Decision Wait Times Veterans Law Review Board Organization Contact Us Appeals FAQs How do I file an appeal? If you are dissatisfied or disagree with a VA decision, you have the right to file an appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Board will review the evidence presented and issue a decision. Learn more about the appeals process or start your appeal on line . How do I find the status of my appeal? You can find the status of your appeal from the “ Check your claim or appeal status ” web page then following the guidance listed there. You can also call 1-800-827-1000 . Who is my hearing coordinator? If Veterans, appellants, representatives or Regional Offices have questions about their hearings, the Hearing Coordinator List provides the hearing team coordinator points of contact. When will your appeal be decided? As a general matter, the Board is required by law to review appeals in docket order. However, the Board may advance an appeal on the docket (AOD) if the appellant demonstrates unusual hardship such as serious illness, severe financial hardship, or other sufficient cause. Additional information on AOD status is located under Contact Us. Why does my appeal at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) take so long, and what is the Board doing about it? The Board understands that many Veterans and appellants have been waiting a long time for a decision. We acknowledge that this wait can be very frustrating and want to explain why getting a Board decision can take a long time, and what options Veterans and appellants have to reduce the time they have to wait for a decision. The Board decision wait times page is available with additional details. What is the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA)? In 2017 the AMA was passed and took effect in February 2019. AMA created a new decision review process allowing Veterans to choose from three lanes to determine the path their appeal will follow. The three lanes to choose from are supplemental claim, higher-level review, and appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Additional BVA Resources Your Rights to Appeal our Decision Phone Numbers Benefits: 1-800-827-1000 Health Care: 1-800-827-1000 VA Inspector Genera l : 1-800-488-8244 Veteran Crisis Line: 988 (Press 1) Connect With Us Subscribe to the VA Newsletter Board of Veterans' Appeals Official website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA.gov ChooseVA DiscoverVA DigitalVA VA Outreach Events VA Forms VA Publications About VA VA mobile apps Accessibility at VA No FEAR Act data Whistleblower Protection Office of the Inspector General VA plans, budget, finances, and performance Agency Financial Report Privacy policy FOIA requests Disclaimers Open data Vulnerability disclosure policy Copyright policy All VA Social Media U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, DC 20420 1-800-698-2411 Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov Date last updated: May 14, 2026 TOP We&#8217;re here anytime, day or night &#8211; 24/7 If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Call 988 and select 1 Text 838255 Start a confidential chat For TTY, call 711 then 988 Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net .