When can a veteran request to reopen their case?

A veteran can request to reopen their case when there is significant new evidence that could potentially alter the outcome of the original decision. This new evidence must relate directly to the reasons why the claim was denied previously and must be relevant to the issues at hand. The importance of significant new evidence lies in its ability to provide additional context or information that was not available at the time of the original claim, thus prompting the reevaluation of the case.

This process allows veterans to have their claims reassessed, acknowledging that circumstances may change, or new information may come to light, which could affect their eligibility for benefits. It is not sufficient to simply request a reopening based on dissatisfaction with a decision or due to a lack of activity; there must be concrete new evidence presented.

In contrast, requesting to reopen a case after a year of inactivity does not align with the criteria set forth for reopening, as inactivity alone does not constitute a valid reason. Similarly, the notion that a veteran can only request a reopening during fiscal review periods is inaccurate, as there is no restriction in federal regulations that limits requests to specific times. Finally, while it might seem appealing to suggest that a request can be made at any time without justification, this notion overlooks the critical requirement of providing significant new