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 downs 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.

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Example Queries:

1. Search for decisions involving PTSD from 2020 to 2023:
   • Query: PTSD
   • From: 01/01/2020
   • To: 12/31/2023
2. Search for decisions mentioning both PTSD and hearing loss:
   • Query: PTSD + hearing loss
3. Search for decisions about PTSD that were granted but exclude TBI:
   • Query: PTSD + granted -TBI
4. Search for exact phrase “service connection” for PTSD:
   • Query: "service connection for PTSD"