ACVA Committee Report

Recommendation 1.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board review its processes as to ensure the independence of Board members and their decision-making.

Recommendation 2.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board review the evidence requirements to ensure that they are consistent with the practices of the quasi-judicial tribunal industry standards.

Recommendation 3.

That VAC and VRAB continue to be proactive in employing outreach initiatives aimed at reaching out to the veteran community to explain what is required in terms of evidence when appealing departmental decisions pertaining to disability benefits.

Recommendation 4.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, moving forward, will interpret and apply Section 39 of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act (the benefit of the doubt clause) as it was intended and clearly explain how this was done in all of its decisions and to the stakeholder community.

Recommendation 5.

That Veterans Affairs Canada review its internal processes and policies in an effort to reduce the number of decisions that are overturned by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board to the greatest extent possible.

Recommendation 6.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board should examine its hiring and management practices and its conflict of interest and ethics policies, and ensure that adequate training is offered to ensure that the Board operates independently as prescribed by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act.

Recommendation 7.

That VRAB training efforts ensure that VRAB members and staff are more familiar with military and police culture.

Recommendation 8.

That all Veterans Review and Appeal Board decisions sent to the Federal Court or that are reviewed a second time by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board be published on the web within the next year.

Recommendation 9.

That a reputable and independent organization be hired to assist the Veterans Review and Appeal Board in selecting key decisions to be posted on its web site.

Recommendation 10.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board bolster its data collection processes so it can properly track its activities.

Recommendation 11.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board begin publishing an annual report to Parliament.

Recommendation 12.

That the Veterans Review and Appeal Board reduce its decision time frame to 16 weeks from the moment a veteran schedules a hearing with the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.

Recommendation 13.

That Veterans Affairs Canada and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board both review the present report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, as is required when a report is tabled in the House of Commons, and that they both provide an update on their progress in implementing the recommendations made in this report one year from its tabling in Parliament.