I can provide valuable insight into Board of Veterans' Appeals operations that would contribute substantially to any evaluation of those operations. I am very knowledgeable about its strengths and weaknesses, and the considerable challenges it faces.
In depth knowledge of: the corpus of veterans law, DVA appellate procedures, and BVA Decision Team operations. | Ability to lead and maximise productivity of professional staff. Concise legal editing and writing. Rapid and effective adaptation to change. |
As an attorney-advisor, I evaluated the merits of claimants' appeals and wrote draft decisions resolving their claims consistent with federal statutes, DVA regulations, and the rulings of the Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims.
As Chief Counsel to the Deputy Vice Chairman, I was the supervising attorney in the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) Quality Review section. I reviewed and edited final decisions for legal and medical correctness.
I served as an Acting Veterans Law Judge, holding hearings and ruling on veterans' and other claimants' appeals.
The BVA's mission is to adjudicate appeals from denials of benefits by DVA Regional Offices. As a Veterans Law Judge, I decided those appeals consistent with the governing legal authority and the facts. These written decisions reflected careful weighing of the evidence and application of the law, and resolved all reasonable doubt in the appellants' favor.
I managed seven VLJ's and forty-six attorneys in three of the BVA's four Appellate Decision Teams. My primary duty was to ensure that each attorney and judge produced the number of judicially sustainable decisions which would enable BVA to meet its production goal. As a judge, I continued to be responsible for conducting hearings and issuing decisions.
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