Episode 11: VA’s Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine

During this episode of The Veterans Legal Lowdown, CCK attorneys discuss VA’s Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine. The doctrine states that, if there is an equal balance of positive and negative evidence in a veteran’s case, VA must rule in favor of the veteran. Relatedly, VA has a different, more favorable “standard of proof” than most legal institutions. However, neither the Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine nor the lower standard of proof guarantee that VA will grant benefits because the veteran submits favorable evidence. CCK’s Jenna Zellmer, Maura Clancy, and Emma Peterson discuss how veterans can use the Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine and lower standard of proof to their advantage, as well as the limits of these important VA rules.

Listen in to learn the ins and outs of VA’s Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine.