How to Search Board of Veterans Appeals Decisions

The search results will open the BVA website in a new tab with your search results. If the the search doesn’t work, you can access it directly here: BVA Decision Search.

How to Structure Search Requests for BVA Decisions

1. Basic Keyword Search:
   • Enter a word or phrase related to the case you’re looking for.
   • Example: If you’re looking for decisions about “PTSD,” enter the term “PTSD” in the search box.
2. Using Exact Phrases:
   • To search for exact phrases, enclose the phrase in quotation marks ("").
   • Example: If you’re looking for cases that mention “service connection for PTSD,” type "service connection for PTSD".
   • This ensures the search engine looks for this exact phrase instead of individual words.
3. Combining Multiple Keywords:
   • You can combine multiple keywords using + or OR to refine your search.
   • + : Use this to require all keywords to appear in the results.
     • Example: PTSD + hearing loss It will return results where both terms are present.
   • OR: Use this to get results where either keyword is present.
     • Example: PTSD OR TBI It will return results where either “PTSD” or “TBI” is mentioned.
4. Excluding Keywords:
   • Use the minus sign (-) to exclude certain words from the search results.
   • Example: To search for “PTSD” but exclude results that mention “TBI,” use the query "ptsd" -"tbi".
5. Date Range Search:
   • Use the drop-down menu across the top to choose the years you want to search.
   • This will filter the results to show only decisions made during this time period.
6. Case Number Search:
   • If you have the BVA case number (e.g., docket number), enter it directly into the search box.
   • Example: 1234567 It will return the decision associated with that specific case.
7. Advanced Search Tips:
   • Wildcard Search: Use an asterisk (*) to represent any number of characters in a word or phrase.
     • Example: service* will match “service-connected,” “services,” or “serviceman.”
   • Proximity Search: Use NEAR to find terms within a certain number of words from each other.
     • Example: "service connection" NEAR/5 "PTSD" The results will return where “service connection” is within five words of “PTSD.”
8. Using Decision Type:
   • Use specific keywords to refine searches based on the decision type (grant, denial, remand).
   • Example: “PTSD" + "granted" To find decisions where PTSD was granted.
   • Similarly, use denied or remanded for other types of decisions.
9. Boolean Search Logic:
   • You can use parentheses to group terms and control the order of evaluation.
   • Example: (PTSD OR anxiety) AND "service connection" It will return results with either PTSD or anxiety, but only when “service connection” is also mentioned.