If you’ve recently received a rejection notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding your disability claim, you may find yourself feeling deflated and disappointed. But our VA disability attorneys would urge you not to give up! You still have options. It is at this point in the process you should consider filing a NOD—or, a Notice of Disagreement.
What is a Notice of Disagreement (NOD)?
This is an appeal form that veterans can file with the VA after receiving a rating decision on their initial claim. This decision does not have to be a denial—in fact, if a veteran disagrees with the rating, they can respond to seek a higher rating for their condition.
How to File a NOD
It’s important to keep in mind that you have limited time to file your NOD. Though it may be tempting to pen and submit a written statement, be advised that this will not be processed as a NOD by the VA. You must instead fill out and submit the appropriate form, with enough time for your form to reach the VA if filing by paper. The sooner you send your NOD form in, the sooner the VA can begin reviewing your case, so don’t delay!
Be Clear and Submit Additional Evidence
Typically, the VA will provide you with an outline of the factors that weighed into the rating of your claim. This is a good place to begin considering how you want to represent your case; we recommend that you respond directly to the points offered. It’s possible that additional evidence would strengthen your case, such as medical records or a medical nexus letter.
Let Our VA Disability Attorneys Help
The process of appeals is rarely straight-forward for individuals not already familiar with the system. To help improve your chances of a best-case resolution, you may want the support of a VA disability attorney in your corner. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
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