Veterans Appeals

The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) is an Article I federal court created in 1988 and renamed in 1999. The CAVC has exclusive jurisdiction to review final decisions of the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA).

Understanding the CAVC

• Judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving 13 to 15 year terms (not lifetime appointments)
• The CAVC is a federal court and part of the judiciary — it is not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs
• Appeals must be filed at the CAVC, not in federal courts in your state
• Proceedings are adversarial and involve record-only review

Important Considerations

Once your case reaches the CAVC, the VA no longer has a duty under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA) to assist you. The proceedings are adversarial, meaning the VA will actively oppose your appeal. There are limited exceptions for introducing new evidence, and the court primarily conducts record-only review without oral testimony.

How We Help Veterans

From our Jersey City office, Dorrity Law Office represents veterans in appeals before the CAVC with the expertise, dedication, and concern that those who served our country deserve. Tracey A. Dorrity specializes in veterans appeals in Federal District Court, bringing focused knowledge to these complex proceedings.

We understand the unique challenges veterans face in navigating the appeals process and are committed to fighting for the benefits our clients have earned through their service.

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