Customer Service
Advancement on the Docket (AOD)
The Board is required by law to review appeals in docket order unless unusual hardship or “other sufficient cause” has been shown to advance a case on the docket. 38 U.S.C. § 7107(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 20.900(c). If applicable, you may submit brief, but complete, reasons to the Board for advancing your case on the docket, which must include supporting documentation to factually demonstrate reasons for advancement. The following are some examples of unusual hardship or other sufficient causes, along with recommended supporting documentation:
- Severe financial hardship (bankruptcy petition, home foreclosure notice, homelessness);
- Serious illness to include a COVID-19 diagnosis (physician’s statement);
- Advanced age (defined as 75 years or more);
- Administrative error (resulting in a significant delay in docketing your appeal)
- Affected by a natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or flood (you may submit evidence such as newspaper clippings, pictures, FEMA declarations, etc)
Motions for advancement on the docket, along with supporting documentation, should be submitted to the Board in writing at the address or fax number listed below. Please remember to include your name, the Veteran’s name (if different), Legal Representative (if applicable) and your claim number.
Contact Us
By Mail:Board of Veterans’ Appeals
P.O. Box 27063
Washington, DC 20038
By Fax:844-678-8979 (Toll Free)
By Email:For a status report on your appeal before the Board, click Ask a Question. In your email, please be sure to include your name, file number, and specific request. PLEASE NOTE that we respond to emails in the order in which they are received. We may request additional information to verify identity in order to protect the privacy of our Veterans.
If your claim is not before the Board, please contact your local VA Regional Office (RO) or one of the other Points of Contact listed below.
Helpful Information
- If you would like to have a hearing before a VLJ, consider requesting a video hearing. Please keep in mind that a Board hearing is entirely optional and is not necessary for the Board to decide your appeal. Hearings often increase wait time for a Board decision. To save wait time, instead of requesting a hearing, you may write down what you would say at a hearing and submit it directly to the Board. The VLJ assigned to your case will carefully review and consider any statements you submit before deciding the appeal.
- Once the Board issues a decision (including a remand), we no longer have the authority to act on the appeal. Please review "Your Rights to Appeal Our Decision" included with your Board decision. You may also contact the Office of Administrative Review (OAR) via email or phone at 1-800-827-1000, your local RO or your representative (if you have one to advocate on your behalf). If your residence is in a foreign country, contact the VBA Foreign Service Program.
Other Points of Contact
If you are seeking:
- Legal assistance with a claim, contact your local RO for a list of Veterans Service Organizations in your are
- Copies of your military records, contact the National Personnel Records Center.
- Information about an upgrade or review of your discharge, complete the application form at Military Discharge Upgrade (DD Form 293).
- Correction of your military records, complete the application form at Correction of Military Records (DD Form 149).
- A medal upgrade, contact the appropriate military department Public Affairs Office.
- Education benefits, contact the VA Educational Benefits Program.
- Surviving spouse or dependent benefits, contact your local Pension Management Center or RO.
- Home loan guarantee, contact the VA Home Loan Program.
- VA life insurance, contact the VA Life Insurance Program.
- Request for burial and memorial benefits, contact the VA National Cemetery Administration.
- Money you owe to VA, contact the Debt Management Center.
