12.0 Appeals – Disability Pensions and Awards

Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA)

The Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA) is a nation-wide legal organization within Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), whose main function is to provide free advice and representation for individuals dissatisfied with decisions rendered by VAC with respect to their claims for entitlement to disability pension or disability award, or any assessment awarded for their pensioned conditions. The Bureau was formed in 1971, giving Veterans Affairs' clients across the country the services of lawyers who afford them the same solicitor-client privilege as lawyers in private practice.

Table 12.1 Total Cases Completed by Bureau of Pensions Advocates

Case Type	March 2018	March 2019	March 2020	March 2021	March 2022
Departmental Reviews^{Footnote 1} Completed	2,222	3,837	3,444	949	2,869
Cases Presented to VRAB^{Footnote 2}	2,603	2,016	2,981	2,734	6,344
Cases Counseled Out^{Footnote 3}	5,212	4,285	4,981	3,152	6,140
Total: Cases completed by BPA	10,037	10,138	11,406	6,835	15,353

Source: Bureau of Pensions Advocates

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Departmental Review: If clients produce new evidence after receiving a decision with which they are dissatisfied, it may be possible to have the decision reviewed again by VAC through a written submission called a Departmental Review.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Cases Presented to Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB): If clients are dissatisfied with a decision from the Department or from the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB), they have the right to appeal the decision to VRAB. The Bureau's Advocates will provide legal advice to clients in the preparation of their appeal and will represent them before the Review or Appeal panel.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Cases Counseled Out: If an Advocate, on a detailed review of the documentation, comes to the conclusion that a claim is not meritorious, clients will be counseled in this regard. However, the ultimate decision rests with the client as to whether or not to proceed. "Cases Counseled Out" are those claims where clients accept their Advocate's advice against proceeding to Departmental Review or VRAB.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

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12.0 Appeals – Disability Pensions and Awards

Bureau of Pensions Advocates (BPA)

Table 12.1 Total Cases Completed by Bureau of Pensions Advocates

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