VA Higher-Level Review: Correct Claim Errors FAST with VA Form 20-0996 Step by Step Guide

Denied VA claim or spotted errors in your VA decision letter? In this video, Craig from Royal Rock Counseling and Consulting walks you step-by-step through filing a VA Higher-Level Review (HLR) using VA Form 20-0996. Learn what an HLR is, how it compares to a supplemental claim, when to request an informal conference, and exactly how to complete the form to avoid delays or denials. What You’ll Learn in This Video: ✅ What a VA Higher-Level Review is & why it’s faster than a supplemental claim ✅ When to use HLR vs. supplemental claims or BVA appeals ✅ Key deadlines to protect your effective date (1-year rule!) ✅ How to request an informal conference or submit a written statement ✅ Tips to avoid common mistakes and delays Timestamps/Key Moments 00:00 – Intro: Helping veterans win their VA claims and appeals 00:26 – Why filing a Higher-Level Review (HLR) matters after a VA denial 01:01 – HLR vs. Supplemental Claim: Key differences you must know 02:12 – What is a VA Higher-Level Review and who reviews it? 03:46 – What you can and cannot submit for HLR (no new evidence!) 05:05 – Critical deadlines and avoiding missed effective dates 07:18 – Choosing the correct VA office and benefit type for HLR 08:53 – Informal conferences vs. written statements: Which is better? 10:41 – Common mistakes veterans make with HLR submissions 11:52 – How to complete VA Form 20-0996 step-by-step 19:17 – Correctly listing issues, dates, and specific disagreements 22:19 – Example of a well-crafted disagreement statement 23:43 – Recap: Key HLR trade-offs, pros, and cons 25:40 – Tips to avoid delays and ensure VA processes your claim quickly 26:33 – Call-to-action: Free PDF guides and personal help options References: Higher-Level-Review Form: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba... #higherlevelreview #vaclaims #veteransbenefits #veterans #vadisability #disabilitycompensation #veteransupport ✉ Need affordable, personal help? Email Craig directly at [email protected] 📌 Free PDF Playbooks – I’ve created 17 strategic VA Claim Playbooks (C&P Exams, Building Evidence, Claims Over 55, and more). To get your free guide: Comment the name of the PDF you want (e.g., “C&P”) and I’ll reply with the link! VA Claims Over 55 → OVER 55 VA Claim Evidence → EVIDENCE VA Due Process → DUE PROCESS VA Decision Letter → DECISION Submitting Your VA Claim → SUBMIT Filing your Claim the Right Way → FILE Narrative Lay Statement → NARRATIVE Descriptive Lay Statement → DESCRIPTIVE Historical Lay Statement → HISTORICAL Buddy Statement → BUDDY Before vs After Technique → CONTRAST Functional Impact Statement → FUNCTIONAL Persuasive Writing Style → PERSUASIVE VA Disability Claims 101→ CLAIMS 101 VA C&P Exams → C&P VA Rating Decision Breakdown → RATING VA Math Explained → VA MATH 📌 Connect with Me 🌐 LinkedIn: / craig-carlton-3066b8357 📧 Email: [email protected] 📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... 🎙 Book Me for Speaking/Training: [email protected] Has this video helped you? If so, buy us a coffee and support more impactful content: https://buymeacoffee.com/cjcarlton0v 📌 Disclaimer: Content is for educational purposes only and not intended as legal, clinical, or medical advice. No therapist-client relationship is established. Royal Rock Counseling and Consulting LLC is not a VA-accredited agent, attorney, or VSO, and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not prepare, present, or prosecute VA claims, but may provide administrative guidance and referrals to qualified professionals.