Which document is necessary for a substantive appeal?

A substantive appeal is a critical part of the veterans' claims process, specifically for appealing decisions made by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA Form 9 is the official form that a veteran must submit to formally appeal a decision made by the VA regional office after a Notice of Disagreement has been filed. This form serves several important functions: it enables the veteran to indicate what aspects of the decision they are appealing and to provide any additional arguments or evidence they wish to include for consideration.

The significance of VA Form 9 in the appeals process lies in its requirement under the law. It allows the Board of Veterans' Appeals to understand the issues at hand clearly and to ensure that veterans receive the due process rights established for appeals. This structure is crucial for maintaining an organized and efficient appeals system within the VA framework.

While a letter from a representative or medical records can be supportive and may help strengthen an appeal, they do not fulfill the formal requirement needed to initiate a substantive appeal. Similarly, a Notice of Disagreement is a preliminary step in the appeals process but is not sufficient on its own to constitute a substantive appeal. Only VA Form 9 meets the legal criteria needed for advancing an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.