“I’m Lori Underwood, an attorney at Woods and Woods, a VA disability compensation law firm practicing nationwide from Evansville, Indiana.
“In the Appeals Modernization Act, the VA gives you three different options for appealing a rating decision to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Now, you have to make this appeal and make this selection within one year of that rating decision.
“You would have to use a BNOD (Board Appeal Notice of Disagreement) form to elect an appeal to the board. On that form, you are given three options. The three options for appealing to the BVA in the Appeals Modernization Act would be one, the hearing lane review docket; two, the evidence review docket; and three, the direct review docket.
“The subject of this segment is the direct review docket, what that means, and how to use it.”
How to use the direct review docket to appeal the VA decision on your claim
“In the direct review docket lane, the evidentiary record is closed. What does that mean? That means that at the time you file a BNOD electing the direct review docket, the board will only consider the evidence that is in your file supporting your claim from the moment that you file that BNOD.
“So, if you would like the direct review docket lane, you would not have the opportunity to submit evidence after choosing that docket, and you would also not have the opportunity to have an in-person hearing.
“If you submit evidence after choosing the direct review docket lane, the board will not consider that evidence when deciding your claim.”
Advantages to choosing the direct review lane
“There are some advantages to the direct review docket lane as well. If you believe that you have all the evidence that you need to support your claim in your file when you file the BNOD, the direct review docket lane is the quickest lane to choose for receiving a decision.
The board has continuously said that the direct review docket lane will process faster than either the hearing docket lane or the evidence docket lane. So, while you’re not submitting new evidence, if you have all of the evidence in the file that you need, you may achieve the fastest resolution to your claim through the direct review docket lane.”
Timeline for VA appeals using the direct review docket
“The board has said that they expect this docket to turn over within 365 days. [Until recently], the board has made good on their goals, although they are just goals and those are subject to change.”
“Woods and Woods are the only attorneys I would recommend for veterans, they did a great job for me. 100 percent P&T disability, very caring and understanding. They will not quit until they win. I am so thankful for what they did for me.”
B.C., a Navy veteran in California
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How Woods and Woods can help
“We have helped many veterans achieve the result that they are looking for through using the direct review docket lane.
“If you’re a veteran who believes that you have all of the evidence that you need in your file to prove your claim, then using the direct review docket lane may be the best option for you.
“If you need help or have any questions about using the direct review docket lane, give us a call and we can help you as we have helped many veterans before. in you choosing this board option for review of your claims. I’m Lori Underwood. Thanks for watching.”
Lori Underwood
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She has experience in Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney. She has been an attorney at Woods and Woods since 2014.
