VA issued me its rating decision letter on 1/19/2021; how long do I have to challenge the decision?

[Yoshi1992]

Hello Everyone,

  This is my first post.  Glad I found this website.  Seems like you have some great resources and helpful people here.  But as a new member of the community, it's pretty overwhelming trying to sort through everything.  Ah, I'll figure it out in time.

Background:  On January 19, 2021, the VA sent me its decision letter on my PTSD claim.   I don't agree with their decision--let alone understand it.

Question:  How much time do I have under the law, federal regulations, or whatever authority applies to challenge their decision?  Although this sounds like a simple question, the VA's review rights form was confusing.  On their enclosed explanation form (VA 20-0998), it said I had "one year" from the date of the decision notes to elect a review options (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Appeal to the Board).   But just a couple sentences later, the form said "if you are a party to a contested claim, you must file an appeal to the Board within 60 days..."

Whoever wrote the VA form isn't going to score any points for clarity.    Thank you in advance for any answers/explanation.

[pacmanx1]

Yes, the letter they are referring to is your notification letter.

Congratulations on your win

[brokensoldier244th]

The supplemental lane (0995 and 0996) are internal. The first (0995) lets you submit more evidence, the second (0996) is a re-review of the evidence on record. 

 

The 1 yr is for a formal appeal if you want to keep the effective date. Supplementals still count in the appeal timeline, though, so if you do an 0995 or 0996 first, and don't win your claim you are still considered in active appeal so if you go to the BVA your original effective date that you are contesting is still in play.