Veterans Review and Appeal Board

If not satisfied with a decision made by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), an application may be made to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board to review the decision.

Applicants may represent themselves or choose a representative to advise on the case, make an application to the Board and represent the applicant at the hearing. Free legal representation is available from the Bureau of Pensions Advocate or from the Royal Canadian Legal. A private representative may also be hired.

The Board provides access to two levels of appeal: The Review Hearing and The Appeal Hearing. It also has authority, in certain circumstances, to reconsider a decision.

The Review Hearing, the first level of appeal,  is the only time in the process when an applicant and their representative may appear before the Board, testify as to the facts of the case and answer questions from the Board Members. Hearings take place in various locations across Canada and can also be conducted by teleconference and videoconference.

The Appeal Hearing, the second level of appeal is a further opportunity for representatives make oral or written arguments in support of a case and are generally conducted at the Board Office in Charlottown, PEI or by teleconference.