Fact Sheet

What You Should Know About Appeal Hearings

Clients of the Bureau of Pensions Advocates often have questions about Veterans Review and Appeal Board (the Board) hearings.

This Fact Sheet provides the general information you will need about your Appeal Hearing.

• All appeals take place in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in the official language of your choice.
• Your Advocate will contact you by telephone before the hearing to discuss your case in detail.
• There are three members on the Appeal Panel, all of whom are different from those who sat on your Review Panel.
• The Appeal Panel and your Advocate will have available all the information that was presented at the Review Hearing, including the audio tape of that hearing.
• Proceedings are not recorded.
• The Appeal Panel members may accept new documentary evidence (witness statements, medical records, etc.), but you cannot testify before them as you did at your Review Hearing. Because of this, you do not have to attend the Appeal Hearing.
• Your Advocate may make a written submission to the Board on your behalf, and you can usually expect to receive a copy of it.
• Your Advocate may also make oral arguments before the Appeal Panel. If so, you will be advised of the hearing date ahead of time.
• If you choose to travel to Charlottetown to attend your Appeal Hearing, you should be aware that it will be at your own expense.
• The Board will mail you its decision within about 30 days of the hearing.
• If you have not received your decision within 30 days, you may contact the Board at the following toll-free number: 1-800-450-8006.