Two New Judges Join Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Chief Judge Bruce Kasold has announced that two new judges have officially joined the bench at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Judge Coral Wong Pietsch and Judge Margaret Bartley have both started their 15-year terms on the Court’s bench. Judge Pietsch previously held the position of Senior Advocate and Special Assistant at Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific. Judge Bartley previously was a senior staff advocate at the National Veterans Legal Services Program and Director of Outreach and Education for the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.

With Judge Pietsch and Judge Bartley having joined the bench, there are now eight active judges serving at the Court. The investiture ceremony for the new judges will be held on October 9, 2012, in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

More Information: Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

If your case has been denied by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or BVA, you may seek recourse by filing an appeal at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or CAVC. The CAVC reviews BVA decisions appealed by veterans who believe the BVA erred in its decision. The CAVC’s review is based on the record before the BVA and arguments of the parties, which are usually presented in a written brief, and sometimes also by oral argument before the judges.

Unlike the BVA, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the CAVC is entirely separate from VA and is part of the federal court system. The CAVC is located in Washington, D.C., but sometimes holds hearings elsewhere in the country.

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims judges are appointed for 15-year terms.

• Veterans Appeals and CAVC FAQs
• List of current Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims judges
• Reports on Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims decisions