Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
Jurisdiction
is a federal Article I court created by Congress in 1988. It hears appeals from final Board decisions and decides whether the Board correctly applied the law and the facts already in the record. The Court does not consider new evidence.
Deadline — 120 days, strictly enforced
A Notice of Appeal must be received at within 120 days of the date stamped on the Board's decision. The deadline is jurisdictional and strictly enforced. Missing it generally ends the appeal.
What the Court can do
- Affirm the Board's decision.
- Reverse the Board's decision (rare — usually requires that the only permissible answer was in the 's favor).
- Vacate and for the Board to redo the decision under the correct legal standard.
- Order fees against VA when the prevails and VA's position was not substantially justified.
Working with a CAVC attorney
Most successful appeals are handled by attorneys admitted to practice before the Court. fees are typically paid by VA when the prevails, which is why many CAVC attorneys take cases without an upfront fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
This kind of issue turns on lane, evidence, and timing
Matters like this often come down to lane selection, the right evidence at the right moment, and protecting your effective date. If your issue is already in dispute or post-decision, check whether your matter fits our review process.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No guarantees of outcomes are made. Each claim is decided on its individual facts.
Related guides
Compare Appeals Lanes
Side-by-side comparison of Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, and Board appeal — speed, evidence rules, and outcomes.
Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE)
How to challenge a final VA decision based on a clear factual or legal error in the original adjudication.
Supplemental Claim vs. HLR vs. Board Appeal
Decision-review lane comparison under the Appeals Modernization Act — when each lane fits, evidence rules, timelines, and how to keep your effective date.
Board Hearing Types: Central, Video, and Travel Board
The three Board of Veterans' Appeals hearing formats, how to choose between them, typical wait times, and what happens on the day of the hearing.