How To Opt In To Higher Level Review From The Legacy Appeals System

Upon the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) on February 19, 2019, the legacy appeals system was discontinued and any claims decided on or after that day have to be appealed through the AMA system. Under the pilot initiative called the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP), some veterans with legacy appeals opted to participate in higher level reviews (HLRs) or supplemental claim reviews from the period of November 2017 until February 15, 2019, when the VA discontinued RAMP and ceased soliciting opt-ins under that program. 

After RAMP was discontinued, the only way legacy appellants could opt in for HLRs or supplemental claim reviews was by opting in to the AMA system within 60 days after receiving a Statement of Case (SOC) or Supplemental Statement of Case (SSOC). The existence of a legacy appeal alone is not sufficient to allow a veteran to opt in to the AMA system. The veteran must be sent an SOC or SSOC on or after February 19, 2019 in order to be eligible to opt in to the AMA.

Get Help With Your AMA Or Legacy Appeal

If you are seeking assistance with opting in to the VA’s AMA system, look no further than The Veteran’s Law Office. Our veterans disability lawyers are experienced in handling claims in the VA’s legacy adjudication system and in the AMA system. Please contact our office today for your free consultation.