Number: RS22561
Title: Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims - Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
Authors: Douglas Reid Weimer, American Law Division 
Abstract: 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. This report examines the historical and legislative background of the CAVC and its current operation.
Pages: 6
Date: March 4, 2008