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The AMA allows Veterans to decide which method of claim decision review is best for them, depending on the circumstances of their claim.

The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) of 2017 gave Veterans a greater choice in how to disagree with a VA claim decision. Giving Veterans more choice has been a top priority for VA. 

Veterans who have a legacy appeal pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have an opportunity to opt in to the modernized decision review program. The new process provides more options and a faster decision without changing their date of claim.

The Appeals Modernization Act improves the appeals process for Veterans and their families by giving them choice over how VA reviews their disagreement with a claim decision, ensuring Veterans receive faster, clearer decisions.

If you disagree with an initial claim decision you received after Feb. 19, 2019, you can now choose from one of three lanes to have the decision reviewed: (1) higher-level review (2) supplemental claim, or (3) appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board).

VA’s goal is to complete Supplemental Claims and Higher-Level Reviews in an average of 125 days, and decisions appealed to the Board for direct review in an average of 365 days.

Effective today, Veterans who appeal a VA claims decision have three decision review options: Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim and Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

The Appeals Modernization Act was signed into law by President Trump on August 23, 2017, and has been fully implemented beginning today. VA is proud to now offer Veterans greater choice in how they resolve a disagreement with a VA decision.

Veterans who participate in RAMP can choose to have their VA decision reviewed in either the Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review lanes that were created under the new law.

VA will not accept RAMP elections from Veterans with a legacy appeal after Feb. 15, 2019; however, RAMP claims pending on or after Feb. 15 will continue to be processed until the inventory is complete.

In just a year, over 57,000 Veterans have participated in RAMP and over $106 million in retroactive awards have been paid within an average of 114.5 days—far quicker than in the current appeals process allows.

One year ago today, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (Appeals Modernization Act) was signed into law.