Use the form that matches the action
What a form does matters more than its number. A lay statement is evidence, not an application. A records request does not elect a review. Filing the wrong one usually means nothing happens, quietly, while a deadline runs.
Every link below goes to VA's current landing page rather than a stored PDF, because revision dates and instructions change.
| What you are doing | Official form |
|---|---|
| Apply for disability compensation | VA Form 21-526EZ |
| File a Supplemental Claim | VA Form 20-0995 |
| Request Higher-Level Review | VA Form 20-0996 |
| Appeal to the Board | VA Form 10182 |
| Add a personal or witness account | VA Form 21-10210 |
| Request your own VBA records | VA Form 20-10206 |
| Find a clinician's condition questionnaire | All public DBQs |
| Appeal to the court | CAVC: How to Appeal |
| Appoint a representative | VA accredited representative page |
Having the right PDF is the easy part. The channel you send it through, the issue you name on it, and the date it arrives are what decide whether it does anything. See comparing your review options.
Rules and forms change, and exceptions apply. Follow the instructions on your own decision letter and the linked governing sources. This site does not track your deadlines or file anything for you.
Reviewed October 6, 2026