Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims - Judicial Review of VA Decision Making. Updated March 28, 2011

摘要

Congress, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), extends various benefits to veterans and certain of their family members. Sometimes veterans may not agree with the VA's initial decisions concerning the award and/or the amount of these benefits. Within the VA, there is an extensive appeal/review process that concludes with the decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). Final decisions of the BVA may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), which is an independent federal court, entirely separate from the VA. Legislation was enacted in the 111th Congress dealing with CAVC funding and administrative matters. The 111th Congress also considered bills dealing with operational and appeal procedures to the CAVC, including bills to modify the current 120-day time limit for an appeal from the BVA's final decision to be filed with the CAVC; however, none was enacted. On February 18, 2011, Representative Bob Filner introduced H.R. 810, the Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2011, which is similar to legislation introduced in the 111th Congress.