VA Form 9

Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (Legacy)

AppealsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Appeals

Estimated time

30-45 minutes.

When to file

Within 60 days of SOC date OR within 1 year of original decision date, whichever is LATER.

You filed a legacy NOD (21-0958), received a Statement of the Case (SOC), and want to perfect your appeal to the Board.

Gather before you start

—Statement of the Case (SOC) you received

—Original decision being appealed

—List of issues you want the Board to consider

—Decision: hearing or no hearing

Attach with the form

—Copy of the SOC

—Any additional argument or evidence

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, VA File NumberPII

Match exactly to your VA records as they appear on every prior letter or DD-214 - any mismatch causes intake delays.

Example

(legal name)

Common mistakes

Mismatched name/SSN.

Section II - Statement of the Case

1 field

Block 6Date of Statement of the Case (SOC) received

Starts the 60-day clock for perfecting your legacy substantive appeal to the Board.

Example

MM/DD/YYYY

Common mistakes

Missing the 60-day window - perfecting an appeal late risks dismissal.

Section III - Issues for Board Review

1 field

Block 7Specific issues from the SOC you want the Board to decideRepeatable

You may appeal all or only some of the issues addressed in the SOC. Issues not listed are abandoned.

Example

e.g., Issue 1 (Lumbar DDD denial) - appeal. Issue 2 (PTSD increase) - do not appeal.

Common mistakes

Listing only some issues, then realizing you wanted to appeal more - those abandoned issues require a new claim.

Section IV - Hearing Request

1 field

Block 8Do you want a Board hearing?

Options: NO HEARING (decision on the record); VIDEO HEARING; CENTRAL OFFICE (DC); TRAVEL BOARD (judge to regional).

Example

NO / VIDEO / CENTRAL OFFICE / TRAVEL BOARD

Common mistakes

Picking a hearing then canceling later - delays your case substantially.

Section V - Substantive Argument

1 field

Block 9Why you disagree with the SOC

Brief written argument explaining the errors in the SOC. The Board reviews legal/factual arguments here.

Example

Concise argument identifying errors in the SOC.

Common mistakes

Long unfocused argument - keep it factual and tied to specific evidence.
No argument at all - the Board still decides but loses the benefit of your reasoning.

Section VI - Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-11Signature and datePII

Sign and date. By signing you certify the statements are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 19.2 - Legacy appeals process definitions.

38 USC 7104 - BVA authority to decide appeals.

38 USC 7105 - Legacy appeal NOD and Form 9 timing.

VA Form 9

Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (Legacy)

AppealsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Appeals

Estimated time

30-45 minutes.

When to file

Within 60 days of SOC date OR within 1 year of original decision date, whichever is LATER.

You filed a legacy NOD (21-0958), received a Statement of the Case (SOC), and want to perfect your appeal to the Board.

Gather before you start

—Statement of the Case (SOC) you received

—Original decision being appealed

—List of issues you want the Board to consider

—Decision: hearing or no hearing

Attach with the form

—Copy of the SOC

—Any additional argument or evidence

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, VA File NumberPII

Match exactly to your VA records as they appear on every prior letter or DD-214 - any mismatch causes intake delays.

Example

(legal name)

Common mistakes

Mismatched name/SSN.

Section II - Statement of the Case

1 field

Block 6Date of Statement of the Case (SOC) received

Starts the 60-day clock for perfecting your legacy substantive appeal to the Board.

Example

MM/DD/YYYY

Common mistakes

Missing the 60-day window - perfecting an appeal late risks dismissal.

Section III - Issues for Board Review

1 field

Block 7Specific issues from the SOC you want the Board to decideRepeatable

You may appeal all or only some of the issues addressed in the SOC. Issues not listed are abandoned.

Example

e.g., Issue 1 (Lumbar DDD denial) - appeal. Issue 2 (PTSD increase) - do not appeal.

Common mistakes

Listing only some issues, then realizing you wanted to appeal more - those abandoned issues require a new claim.

Section IV - Hearing Request

1 field

Block 8Do you want a Board hearing?

Options: NO HEARING (decision on the record); VIDEO HEARING; CENTRAL OFFICE (DC); TRAVEL BOARD (judge to regional).

Example

NO / VIDEO / CENTRAL OFFICE / TRAVEL BOARD

Common mistakes

Picking a hearing then canceling later - delays your case substantially.

Section V - Substantive Argument

1 field

Block 9Why you disagree with the SOC

Brief written argument explaining the errors in the SOC. The Board reviews legal/factual arguments here.

Example

Concise argument identifying errors in the SOC.

Common mistakes

Long unfocused argument - keep it factual and tied to specific evidence.
No argument at all - the Board still decides but loses the benefit of your reasoning.

Section VI - Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-11Signature and datePII

Sign and date. By signing you certify the statements are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 19.2 - Legacy appeals process definitions.

38 USC 7104 - BVA authority to decide appeals.

38 USC 7105 - Legacy appeal NOD and Form 9 timing.

VA Form 9

Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (Legacy)

AppealsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Appeals

Estimated time

30-45 minutes.

When to file

Within 60 days of SOC date OR within 1 year of original decision date, whichever is LATER.

You filed a legacy NOD (21-0958), received a Statement of the Case (SOC), and want to perfect your appeal to the Board.

Gather before you start

—Statement of the Case (SOC) you received

—Original decision being appealed

—List of issues you want the Board to consider

—Decision: hearing or no hearing

Attach with the form

—Copy of the SOC

—Any additional argument or evidence

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, VA File NumberPII

Match exactly to your VA records as they appear on every prior letter or DD-214 - any mismatch causes intake delays.

Example

(legal name)

Common mistakes

Mismatched name/SSN.

Section II - Statement of the Case

1 field

Block 6Date of Statement of the Case (SOC) received

Starts the 60-day clock for perfecting your legacy substantive appeal to the Board.

Example

MM/DD/YYYY

Common mistakes

Missing the 60-day window - perfecting an appeal late risks dismissal.

Section III - Issues for Board Review

1 field

Block 7Specific issues from the SOC you want the Board to decideRepeatable

You may appeal all or only some of the issues addressed in the SOC. Issues not listed are abandoned.

Example

e.g., Issue 1 (Lumbar DDD denial) - appeal. Issue 2 (PTSD increase) - do not appeal.

Common mistakes

Listing only some issues, then realizing you wanted to appeal more - those abandoned issues require a new claim.

Section IV - Hearing Request

1 field

Block 8Do you want a Board hearing?

Options: NO HEARING (decision on the record); VIDEO HEARING; CENTRAL OFFICE (DC); TRAVEL BOARD (judge to regional).

Example

NO / VIDEO / CENTRAL OFFICE / TRAVEL BOARD

Common mistakes

Picking a hearing then canceling later - delays your case substantially.

Section V - Substantive Argument

1 field

Block 9Why you disagree with the SOC

Brief written argument explaining the errors in the SOC. The Board reviews legal/factual arguments here.

Example

Concise argument identifying errors in the SOC.

Common mistakes

Long unfocused argument - keep it factual and tied to specific evidence.
No argument at all - the Board still decides but loses the benefit of your reasoning.

Section VI - Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-11Signature and datePII

Sign and date. By signing you certify the statements are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 19.2 - Legacy appeals process definitions.

38 USC 7104 - BVA authority to decide appeals.

38 USC 7105 - Legacy appeal NOD and Form 9 timing.

VA Form 9

Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals (Legacy)

AppealsOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Appeals

Estimated time

30-45 minutes.

When to file

Within 60 days of SOC date OR within 1 year of original decision date, whichever is LATER.

You filed a legacy NOD (21-0958), received a Statement of the Case (SOC), and want to perfect your appeal to the Board.

Gather before you start

—Statement of the Case (SOC) you received

—Original decision being appealed

—List of issues you want the Board to consider

—Decision: hearing or no hearing

Attach with the form

—Copy of the SOC

—Any additional argument or evidence

Section I - Veteran Identification

1 field

Blocks 1-5Name, SSN, VA File NumberPII

Match exactly to your VA records as they appear on every prior letter or DD-214 - any mismatch causes intake delays.

Example

(legal name)

Common mistakes

Mismatched name/SSN.

Section II - Statement of the Case

1 field

Block 6Date of Statement of the Case (SOC) received

Starts the 60-day clock for perfecting your legacy substantive appeal to the Board.

Example

MM/DD/YYYY

Common mistakes

Missing the 60-day window - perfecting an appeal late risks dismissal.

Section III - Issues for Board Review

1 field

Block 7Specific issues from the SOC you want the Board to decideRepeatable

You may appeal all or only some of the issues addressed in the SOC. Issues not listed are abandoned.

Example

e.g., Issue 1 (Lumbar DDD denial) - appeal. Issue 2 (PTSD increase) - do not appeal.

Common mistakes

Listing only some issues, then realizing you wanted to appeal more - those abandoned issues require a new claim.

Section IV - Hearing Request

1 field

Block 8Do you want a Board hearing?

Options: NO HEARING (decision on the record); VIDEO HEARING; CENTRAL OFFICE (DC); TRAVEL BOARD (judge to regional).

Example

NO / VIDEO / CENTRAL OFFICE / TRAVEL BOARD

Common mistakes

Picking a hearing then canceling later - delays your case substantially.

Section V - Substantive Argument

1 field

Block 9Why you disagree with the SOC

Brief written argument explaining the errors in the SOC. The Board reviews legal/factual arguments here.

Example

Concise argument identifying errors in the SOC.

Common mistakes

Long unfocused argument - keep it factual and tied to specific evidence.
No argument at all - the Board still decides but loses the benefit of your reasoning.

Section VI - Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-11Signature and datePII

Sign and date. By signing you certify the statements are true to the best of your knowledge under penalty of perjury.

Example

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 19.2 - Legacy appeals process definitions.

38 USC 7104 - BVA authority to decide appeals.

38 USC 7105 - Legacy appeal NOD and Form 9 timing.