Veterans Law Judge Experience Act: What It Means for Veterans

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

In January 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025 by voice vote. This bill gives hiring preference for positions at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to attorneys with at least three years of experience in veterans law or related fields. It now awaits action in the Senate.

The core argument behind this bill is simple: Veterans Law Judges with more veterans-law experience make better veterans-law decisions. Better decisions mean fewer remands, which are one of the biggest causes of delay in the VA disability appeals process.

Key points of this article include:

• The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act passed the House by voice vote on January 20, 2026.
• The bill would require a hiring preference for VLJ candidates with three or more years of veterans law experience.
• In FY 2024, nearly 39 percent of AMA appeals decided by the Board contained at least one remanded issue.

What Does a Veterans Law Judge Do?

A Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) is an attorney employed by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) who rules on disability appeals when a veteran disagrees with a decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These decisions often require the VLJ to be highly specialized and have deep familiarity with veterans law.

VLJs are appointed by the VA Secretary on the Chairman’s recommendation, with Presidential approval, per 38 USC § 7101A.

“These cases can involve disability ratings, effective dates, or denials of service connection,” says CCK Law Partner Bradley Hennings, a former Veterans Law Judge. “Each appeal requires a VLJ to apply complex statutes, VA regulations, medical evidence, and binding case law from courts like the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.”

VLJs also play a structural role beyond writing decisions. They mentor staff attorneys and help set legal standards across the Board. When a VLJ lacks experience in veterans law, the impact can ripple outward through every case they touch.

Watch Bradley Hennings — a former Veterans Law Judge and current partner at CCK Law — break down a VLJ’s duties at the BVA:

What Is the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act?

The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act (H.R. 659) would require the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to give hiring preference to VLJ candidates with at least three years of legal experience in a relevant area, including veterans law, military law, or related federal practice.

The logic behind the bill is that the more experience a VLJ has, the fewer mistakes they are likely to make, leading to fewer remands, which can delay a veteran’s disability claim by months or even years. Overall, this could make the disability appeals process more efficient.

“It’s important to be clear about what this bill does and does not do,” says Hennings. “It does not limit a veteran’s right to appeal, reduce access to hearings, or restrict evidence. It does not guarantee faster decisions overnight. What it does is target decision quality at the VLJ level with the goal of fewer errors, fewer remands, and more durable decisions the first time.”

Why Was the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act Introduced?

In the past, at least seven years of relevant experience was required in order for candidates to become VLJs. This requirement was eliminated in 2020, which led to more inexperienced candidates being hired to fill these positions. The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act seeks to respond to this change by establishing experience requirements once more.

How Could This Bill Impact Veterans?

The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act could help improve the quality of initial BVA decisions and therefore decrease the number of remands, which slow the system down considerably. The bill could also help improve overall decision consistency throughout the appeals process.

“In my time as a Veterans Law Judge, I saw that experience shows up in the decision product, issue framing, evidence analysis, and whether the decision holds up without avoidable rework and remands,” says Hennings.

Reducing Errors and Remands, Thereby Shortening Wait Times

Often, a remand happens when a VLJ’s decision is found to be legally or factually flawed and must be sent back for further development and a new decision. Each remand can add months or even years to an appeal.

In FY 2024, nearly 39 percent of AMA appeal decisions by the Board contained at least one remanded issue, according to a VA congressionally mandated report. Under the legacy system, the rate exceeded 60 percent. Meanwhile, as of July 2025, there were 169,747 pending appeals before the Board, according to numbers cited by VA.

For veterans, these delays can lead to serious financial and health-related issues.

“Veterans don’t experience delays as a statistic,” says Hennings. “They experience it as carrying costs. They are waiting for backpay and monthly compensation. Many are unable to work or are dealing with serious health conditions while their case cycles through the system again and again.”

By improving first-pass decision quality, the bill aims to reduce the number of cases that bounce back through the system, making the process more efficient and easing the lives of veterans who need this compensation.

“A system built on rework cannot sustainably move faster,” says Hennings. “First pass decision quality is the long-term speed strategy. That’s the logic behind this bill.”

Watch former Veterans Law Judge Bradley Hennings weigh in on the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act:

Helps Maintain Consistency of BVA Decisions

In addition to issuing decisions, Veterans Law Judges also mentor staff attorneys and help set certain legal standards at the BVA. When VLJs are still learning the field themselves, however, that mentorship can break down.

According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), when VLJs are new to veterans law, experienced employees are pulled off production to help train them. This can lead to morale issues, lower retention rates, and an altogether slower disability claims and appeals process.

When the people responsible for setting standards are inexperienced, the result is inconsistent decisions and a less stable system overall, which can further extend wait times for veterans.

What Can Veterans Do in the Meantime?

The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act has passed the House and is now in the Senate. However, even if it becomes law, the appeals process will likely remain complex and time-consuming for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, veterans should continue to focus on preparing the strongest appeal possible for their claims. Some strategies veterans can use to do so include:

• Submit strong, relevant evidence—The quality of a veteran’s evidence is one of the biggest factors in the outcome of their appeal.
• Respond to all VA requests promptly—Delays in responding can slow a case and create procedural complications.
• Understand your appeal options—The AMA system offers multiple dockets for appeal to the BVA — Direct Review, Evidence Submission, and Hearing Request — each with different timelines and implications.
• Consider working with an accredited representative—An attorney or accredited claims advocate familiar with veterans law can help identify legal errors and fix avoidable mistakes.

Want To Learn More or Get Help With Your Appeal?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act?

H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025, is a federal bill that would require a hiring preference for Veterans Law Judge candidates with at least three years of legal experience in veterans law or a related field.

The bill passed the House of Representatives by voice vote on January 20, 2026, and has been referred to the Senate.

What does a VA remand mean for a veteran?

A VA remand is when the BVA sends a case back for additional development or a new decision because the original decision had a legal or factual error. Remands can add months or years to the time a veteran waits for a final decision on their VA appeal.

How long does a VA remand take?

A VA remand can take several months to several years, depending on the type of remand, the evidence required, and the current backlog. According to VA, the Board aims to return decisions in the hearing docket within 730 days, or about two years.

Does the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act limit a veteran’s right to appeal?

No, the bill does not restrict any veteran’s right to appeal a VA decision, reduce access to hearings, or limit the evidence a veteran can submit. It only affects the qualifications prioritized when the Board hires new judges.

What is the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)?

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals is a federal body within the Department of Veterans Affairs that reviews disability appeals when veterans disagree with a VA regional office decision. Cases sent to the BVA are decided by Veterans Law Judges who review the evidence, applicable regulations, and relevant case law before issuing a ruling.