The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) surpassed last year’s record-high output for decisions.

The Board officially dispatched 95,089 decisions for Veterans and their families in fiscal year (FY) 2019, the largest number of decisions in the Board’s history – that is 5,000 more decisions than the goal and 11% more than the Board’s decision output in FY 2018, the previous record high.

“It was also a historic year for hearings held.” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “The Board held a record 22,743 hearings in FY 2019, a 38% increase compared to the number of hearings held in FY 2018.”

This was in addition to implementing Appeals Modernization, undergoing a reorganization with addition of new leaders across the organization, taking over all hearing scheduling and testing virtual tele-hearings.

The Board’s success is a result of strong collaboration and customer experience across the department – with the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff leading the way along with VA’s administrations, offices and programs areas.

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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

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