Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims—Judicial Review of
VA Decision Making
Douglas Reid Weimer
Legislative Attorney
February 11, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS22561
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims—Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
Summary
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. Several bills were introduced in the 111th Congress dealing with operational and appeal
procedures to the CAVC. Congress considered several bills modifying 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. It is likely that Congress may consider similar legislation in the 112th Congress.
The U.S. Supreme Court is also considering the 120-day time limit for appeals to the CAVC. A
case argued before the Court on December 6, 2010, Henderson v. Shinseki (U.S. No. 09-1036),
concerns whether the statutory appeal deadline to the CAVC inflexibly bars the CAVC from
considering cases filed beyond the 120-day limit. The case involved a disabled veteran who
missed the filing deadline for appeals of BVA’s decisions to the CAVC. The veteran argued that
his disability (mental illness—for which he was seeking VA disability benefits) prevented him
from filing within the 120-day appeal period. The outcome of the case may have far-reaching
impact on various aspects of the appeal procedure, and may ultimately involve legislative and/or
administrative action.
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims—Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
Contents
Legislative and Historical Background ........................................................................................ 1
Jurisdiction ................................................................................................................................. 2
Organization and Operation of the CAVC.................................................................................... 2
Legislative Interest...................................................................................................................... 4
Litigation Involving the 120-Day Filing Deadline........................................................................ 5
Decisions of the Regional Office (RO), BVA, and Lower Courts ........................................... 5
U.S. Supreme Court—Henderson v. Shinseki......................................................................... 6
Figures
Figure 1. Simplified CAVC Case Review .................................................................................... 7
Contacts
Author Contact Information ........................................................................................................ 8
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims—Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
Legislative and Historical Background1
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a broad range of congressionally mandated
benefits and services to United States veterans and certain members of their families.2 There are
various eligibility criteria for such benefits and discrete processes for determining benefit claims.3
Thereafter, a veteran may appeal a determination within the VA. The final appeal body within the
VA is the BVA.4
For many years, judicial review of VA decisions or orders was statutorily prohibited. The first
such legislation was the World War Veterans’ Act of 1924.5 The 1930 legislation that established
the VA (formerly the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs)6
continued this exclusion. Section 5 of the Economy Act of 1933 provided that decisions by the
VA were final and not subject to review in federal court.7 These prohibitions were eliminated by
the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act of 1988 (VJRA),8 which authorized the judicial review of BVA
denials of individual veterans’ claims for benefits in a new Article I court.9 This court was
originally named the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals and was subsequently renamed the U.S.
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).10 The legislation also provided for review of
CAVC decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.11
The CAVC’s website indicates that the CAVC provides a review of decisions by the BVA that are
adverse to the veteran’s claim of “entitlement to benefits for service connected-disabilities,
survivor benefits and other benefits such as education payments and waiver of indebtedness.”12
The CAVC’s website provides detailed statistical information regarding the number of cases filed
and the ultimate disposition of those cases.13
1 See the CAVC’s “History” at http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/about/History.cfm.
2 See CRS Report R41343, Veterans Medical Care: FY2011 Appropriations, by Sidath Viranga Panangala; CRS
Report RL34626, Veterans’ Benefits: Benefits Available for Disabled Veterans, by Christine Scott and Carol D. Davis;
CRS Report RL34370, Veterans Affairs: Health Care and Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange, by Sidath
Viranga Panangala and Douglas Reid Weimer.
3 See CRS Report RL33113, Veterans Affairs: Basic Eligibility for Disability Benefit Programs, by Douglas Reid
Weimer. Compensation for service-connected disabilities is one of the major programs that the VA administers. See
CRS Report RL33323, Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities, by Douglas Reid Weimer.
4 See CRS Report RL33323, Veterans Affairs: Benefits for Service-Connected Disabilities, by Douglas Reid Weimer, at
8.
5 P.L. 68-242, § 5, 43 Stat. 607 (1924).
6 P.L. 71-536, § 2, 46 Stat. 1016 (1930).
7 P.L. 72-212, §§ 401-408, 47 Stat. 382 (1932).
8 P.L. 100-687, § 301, 102 Stat. 4105 (1988).
9 See 38 U.S.C. §§ 7251-7299. Article I courts are courts of limited jurisdiction created by Congress in the exercise of
its legislative powers. In establishing an Article I court, Congress draws on authority distinct from that used to establish
federal courts of general jurisdiction under Article III of the Constitution.
10 Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, P.L. 105-368, § 511, 112 Stat. 3341. See 38 U.S.C. § 7251.
11 38 U.S.C. § 7292.
12 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/.
13 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/annual_report/.
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Jurisdiction
The VJRA gave the CAVC the “exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the Board of
Veterans Appeals.”14 The BVA is required to notify veteran claimants of their appeal rights to the
CAVC.15 Only a person who is “adversely affected” by a BVA decision may appeal to the
CAVC.16 However, neither the Secretary of Veterans Affairs nor any other VA official may appeal
a BVA decision to the CAVC.17
There are two basic jurisdictional requirements in appealing a BVA decision to the CAVC. First,
an appellant may appeal only a final BVA decision on a claim for benefits to the CAVC.18 Second,
the appellant’s Notice of Appeal (NOA)19 must be received or postmarked using the U.S. Postal
Service within 120 days from the mailing of the BVA decision.20 As discussed below, this 120-
day time limit for appeals has been the subject of congressional action21 and litigation before the
U.S. Supreme Court.
Organization and Operation of the CAVC
The CAVC consists of at least three, but not more than seven, judges.22 The judges are appointed
by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.23 The judges serve for a term of 15
years.24 The President may remove a judge from office prior to the expiration of his/her term for
various reasons that would prevent the proper execution of the judge’s duties.25 Under certain
14 38 U.S.C. § 7252(a).
15 Id. § 5104(a).
16 Id. § 7266(a).
17 Id. § 5107(a).
18 Id. § 7266(a).
19 The NOA is a notice sent by the appellant or his/her counsel seeking CAVC review of the BVA’s final decision. To
be considered a NOA, the document must follow the requirements of Rule 3(c)of the CAVC’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure. The NOA must provide the name, address, and phone number of appellant(s); identify the BVA decision
being appealed; and provide appropriate information if being filed by the veteran’s representative.
20 38 U.S.C. § 7266(a).
21 To date, no legislation has been enacted modifying the 120-day rule.
22 38 U.S.C. § 7253(a). 38 U.S.C. § 7253(b) provides that “not more than the number equal to the next whole number
greater than one-half of the number of judges of the Court may be members of the same political party.” 38 U.S.C. §
7253(h) provides for the temporary expansion of the court from January 1, 2002, through August 15, 2005. The
authorized number of judges provided for by 38 U.S.C. § 7253(a) was increased by two; one nominated and appointed
in 2002 and one in 2003. If the appointment(s) was/were not made in 2002 or 2003, the appointment(s) could be made
before October 1, 2004. Title IV, Sec. 601 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-389)
increases, as of December 31, 2009, from seven to nine the maximum numbers of judges on the CAVC. As of January
1, 2013, no appointment may be made to the CAVC that would result in there being more than nine judges.
23 Id. § 7252(b).
24 38 U.S.C. § 7253(c) provides that when a judge who is nominated by the President for appointment to an additional
term on the Court without a break in service, and whose term of office expires while that nomination is pending before
the Senate, may continue in office for up to one year while that nomination is pending.
25 Id. § 7253(b), (f). 38 U.S.C. § 7253(f) provides that a judge of the Court may be removed from office by the
President on “grounds of misconduct, neglect of duty, or engaging in the practice of law.” The President may not
remove a judge of the Court from office on any other ground.
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circumstances, retired CAVC judges may be recalled for further service on the CAVC.26 At the
present time there are six judges serving in “active status.” In addition, six retired judges are
currently in “recall status.”27
The court does not hold trials, hear witness testimony, or receive new evidence.28 In deciding a
case, the CAVC considers the BVA decision, the briefs submitted by the parties, and the record
that was considered by the VA and was available to the BVA. Under some circumstances, if the
issues warrant, the CAVC holds oral argument. Less than 1% of the decided cases involve oral
argument.29 The CAVC holds most arguments in its Washington, DC, courtroom but may
occasionally conduct an argument by telephone conference call.
The court’s official opinions are published in West’s Veterans Appeals Reporter.30 They are
available online in Westlaw, Lexis, and without digest on the CAVC’s website.31 They are also
sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO) for microfilm distribution to its nationwide
depository library system.
Congress delegated broad power to the CAVC to prescribe its own rules of court.32 The CAVC’s
rules were modeled after the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and have been amended
various times.33 The rules are available on the CAVC’s website.34
The CAVC has a comprehensive case management system. After the record on appeal and the
briefs for both sides are filed with the Clerk of the Court, they are sent to the Central Legal Staff
(“staff”) within the Office of the Clerk. The staff creates an initial evaluation of the case and a
memo recommending a disposition of the case. The staff recommends whether the case should be
handled by one judge, a panel without argument, or a panel with argument.35
Following the staff’s review of the case file, it is forwarded to a “screening judge” who reviews
the case and the staff’s evaluation and recommendation. The screening judge, a position that
rotates among all CAVC judges, determines how the case will be set for the calendar. Also, until a
case has been assigned, the screening judge reviews incoming motions and rules on them. The
screening judge may set the case for a summary disposition by one judge or by disposition of a
26 Id. § 7257. Title VI, Sec. 603 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-389) (“Act”) repeals the
180-day limit on the number of days per year a recall-eligible retired CAVC judge may voluntarily serve on the CAVC
in recall status. It establishes a three-tiered retirement pay structure with respect to judges appointed on or after the date
of enactment of the act. Tier one represents retired judges recalled to active service, tier two represents recall-eligible
judges, and tier three represents non-recall-eligible retired judges. The act also exempts current and future recall-
eligible retired judges from involuntary recall once they have served an aggregate of five years of recall service.
27 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/about/judges/. Confirmed by the CAVC January 31, 2011).
28 38 U.S.C. § 7261.
29 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/annual_report/. See annual reports for 2000-2009.
30 This is established by practice of the Court rather than by federal statute or regulation.
31 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/resesarch_court_cases/DecisionsOpinions.cfm.
32 38 U.S.C. § 7264.
33 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/court_procedures/RulesPracticeProcedure.cfm.
34 Id.
35 See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/court_procedures/InternalOperatingProcedures.cfm.
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panel of three judges.36 The file is then returned to the Clerk, and the case will, in most cases,
eventually be assigned to a panel of three judges who will ultimately decide the case.37
The appellant may represent him/herself or may be represented by an attorney or authorized
representative.38 The VA’s Office of the General Counsel represents the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs (and the VA) before the CAVC.39
Following a final decision of the CAVC, the decision may be appealed to the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”).40 An appeal can be filed by either the veteran
or the VA.41 Appeals to the Federal Circuit are required to be filed within 60 days of the final
CAVC decision.42 Following a final decision by the Federal Circuit, either the veteran or the VA
may petition the U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari within 90 days of the Federal Circuit’s final
action.43
Legislative Interest
Legislation enacted in the 111th Congress dealt with funding and administrative issues for the
CAVC’s operations.44 Other bills were introduced in the 111th Congress that dealt with operational
aspects of the CAVC. Of major congressional interest were proposals to modify the 120-day time
limit for appeals to the CAVC. However, none of these bills was enacted, and it is anticipated that
Congress may consider similar legislation in the 112th Congress.
In the 111th Congress, the House considered several measures to expand the 120-day filing limit
for appeals to the CAVC, under certain circumstances. If enacted, the Fair Access to Veterans
Benefits Act of 2010 would have extended the 120-day appeal time upon a showing of good
cause for such an extension.45 The bill specified that good cause would include the inability of a
person to file within the 120-day period due to a service-connected disability.46 The bill further
would have applied the filing extension retroactively to BVA decisions issued on or after July 24,
2008.
36 Id.
37 There is no jury involved in this judicial procedure.
38 Representation before the court is governed by U.S. Vet. App. R. 46. See http://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/about/
how_to_appeal/. See CRS Report RL33704, Veterans Affairs: The Appeal Process for Veterans’ Claims, by Douglas
Reid Weimer.
39 38 U.S.C. § 7263(a).
40 Id. § 7292.
41 This contrasts with the appeals to the CAVC. Only the veteran may appeal an adverse decision of the BVA to the
CAVC; the VA may not appeal a BVA decision favorable to the veteran to the CAVC.
42 28 U.S.C. § 2107.
43 38 U.S.C. § 7292(c). A petition for certiorari is a request for the Supreme Court to review the decision of the lower
court. If the petition is granted, the Supreme Court will review the case.
44 P.L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034 (December 16, 2009).
45 H.R. 5064, 111th Cong., 2d Sess. (2010).
46 A similar, earlier bill without the per se rule was introduced as H.R. 5045.
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A provision of the proposed Veterans Benefits and Economic Welfare Improvement Act of 2010
would have extended the appeal time limit, upon a show of good cause, also retroactively to BVA
decisions issued on or after July 24, 2008.47
In the 111th Congress, the Senate also considered legislative measures to extend the filing limit.
The proposed Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 would have permitted an extension of
the filing deadline upon the showing of good cause.48 The bill also contained a retroactive
provision applicable to BVA decisions issued on or after July 24, 2008.
Another bill considered by the Senate—S. 3348—considered the situation where appeal
documents have been misfiled with the BVA (rather than the CAVC), within 120 days of such
decisions, and how such misfiled documents should be treated.49
Litigation Involving the 120-Day Filing Deadline
A recent case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, Henderson v. Shinseki,50 involves the application
and interpretation of the 120-day filing deadline for appeals from the BVA to the CAVC.
Decisions of the Regional Office (RO), BVA, and Lower Courts
David Henderson had served on active military duty from 1950-1952. He was discharged in 1952
after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia; he established a service connection and
received and currently has a 100% disability rating. In 2001, Henderson filed a claim for monthly
compensation based on need for in-home care with the VA Regional Office (RO). The RO denied
the claim and Henderson appealed to the BVA. The BVA denied his claim. Henderson filed a
notice appeal with the CAVC 15 days after the expiration of the 120-day appeal period (38 U.S.C.
§ 7266(a)).
The CAVC rule, in a 2-1 decision, denied Henderson’s claim, and determined that Congress had
“specifically authorized” it to conduct “independent judicial appellate review” of the Board only
under “specified conditions.”51 Henderson’s appeal thus was dismissed by the CAVC for lack of
jurisdiction.52
Henderson appealed the CAVC’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a
case captioned Henderson v. Shinseki.53 Examining the factual and legal circumstances, the
Federal Circuit determined that the 120-day period was a “time of review provision” in a civil
case, rather than a statute of limitations. As such, the statute was not subject to equitable tolling; it
was mandatory and jurisdictional. In its opinion, the court held that if “Congress determined that
the 120-day period for appeals to the Veterans Court from a decision of the Board should be
47 H.R. 6132, 111th Cong., 2d Sess. (2010).
48 S. 3192, 111th Cong., 2d Sess. (2010).
49 S. 3348, 111th Cong., 2d Sess. (2010).
50 U.S. No. 09-1036 (Argued December 6, 2010).
51 Henderson, 22 Vet. App. at 220.
52 Id. at 220-21.
53 589 F.3d 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2009).
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subject to equitable tolling, it may amend § 7266(a) to compel a result different from the one we
reach today.”54 The appeals court upheld the CAVC’s finding of lack of jurisdiction and dismissed
Henderson’s appeal.
U.S. Supreme Court—Henderson v. Shinseki55
Henderson appealed the decision of the appeals court to the U.S. Supreme Court. Oral argument
was held before the Court on December 6, 2010. The central issue is whether the 120-day filing
period with the CAVC absolutely limits the authority of the CAVC to consider a case filed beyond
the filing period even when circumstances made it impracticable or impossible for the veteran to
comply with those limits. The Court’s decision may significantly affect not only veterans’ cases
with the CAVC, but ultimately also the judicial appeals of other types of administrative cases.
54 Id. at 1220.
55 U.S. No. 09-1036 (Argued December 6, 2010).
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The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims—Judicial Review of VA Decision Making
Figure 1. Simplified CAVC Case Review
Source: Adapted by CRS from information on the CAVC website. See http://www.vetapp.uscourts.gov/.
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Author Contact Information
Douglas Reid Weimer
Legislative Attorney
dweimer@crs.loc.gov, 7-7574
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