VA Form 21-0995: Supplemental Claim Guide
When to use Form 21-0995
Under the (), a is the review lane you choose when you have new and relevant evidence VA did not consider before. VA's reactivates on a Supplemental Claim, so VA will schedule a or obtain records if the duty is triggered.
Filing within one year of the prior decision generally preserves the earlier if the is later granted (38 CFR § 3.2500).
The 'new and relevant' standard
New: not previously submitted. Relevant: tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue. This is a lower bar than the pre- 'new and material' standard — evidence does not have to be outcome-determinative to qualify, just relevant to a factual element of the .
Section-by-section (2024 form revision)
- Section I — identifying information (name, SSN, VA file number, address, phone, email).
- Section II — The specific issue(s) you are contesting from the prior decision. Be precise; list each condition and the decision date.
- Section III — Identify the new and relevant evidence. You can attach it directly or identify records VA should obtain (private treatment records with authorization on VA Form 21-4142).
- Section IV — Signature and certification.
How to file
- Online: Status / File a claim.
- Mail: VA Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444.
- In person at a VA .
- Through a VA-accredited representative (, agent, or attorney).
Disclaimer
Educational and informational content only — not legal or medical advice. Oakridge Claims is a private, independent business and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Representation is provided by a VA- in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 14.636. Outcomes depend on individual facts; no specific result is guaranteed.
Where these claims break down
- ×Filing a Supplemental Claim without any new evidence — VA will readjudicate the same record and deny.
- ×Missing the one-year window from the prior decision and losing effective-date protection.
- ×Listing the wrong prior decision date, which can misdirect the review to the wrong record.
- ×Assuming a Higher-Level Review is faster when you actually have new evidence — HLR does not accept new evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Have questions about your specific case?
Every veteran's facts are different. A free initial consultation with a VA-Accredited Claims Agent can tell you whether your matter is a fit for representation — and what the right next step looks like either way.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No guarantees of outcomes are made. Each claim is decided on its individual facts.
Related guides
VA Form 20-0995 — Supplemental Claim
Line-by-line guide to VA Form 20-0995: the new and relevant evidence standard, the one-year effective-date window, and how to identify the issue correctly.
Intent to File (ITF)
How an Intent to File preserves your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence.
VA Effective Date Rules Explained (38 CFR § 3.400)
Plain-English walkthrough of 38 CFR § 3.400 — how VA assigns effective dates for original claims, reopened claims, increases, and the one-year rule that protects back pay.
VA Form 21-0781: PTSD Stressor Statement Guide
Line-by-line walkthrough of VA Form 21-0781 for PTSD stressor statements, including MST-specific markers (formerly 21-0781a) and corroborating evidence VA looks for.