Reopening Previously Denied
Military Service Connection Claims

Reopening Previously Denied Military Service Connection Claims

When a veteran was previously denied service connection for a claimed condition, and the period to appeal that denial has expired, then the veteran may re-open the claim with "new and material evidence."

The requirements for a reopened claim are all the requirements for one of the other types of claims, PLUS:

• “New” evidence; i.e., evidence that has never been submitted previously in connection with the claim being reopened; and,
• "Material" evidence; i.e., evidence that, by itself or when considered with previous evidence of record, must relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

New and material evidence cannot be cumulative nor redundant of the evidence of record at the time of the last prior final denial, and must raise a reasonable possibility of proving the claim.

Related VA Claims Process Info:

• Application and Appeals
• VA Ratings and Retroactive Awards
• Veterans Compensation and Social Security Disability Claims

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Sackett and Herrera, Members
National Organization of Veterans Advocates, Inc. (NOVA)