Bill Opens Door to GS-15 Pay for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys, Aiming to Cut Case Backlogs

This legislation, the "Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act," makes a targeted change within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It specifically allows non-supervisory attorneys working at the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) – the folks who handle complex appeals cases – to be promoted up to the GS-15 pay grade on the federal General Schedule. The core idea is straightforward: make these critical legal jobs more attractive to retain experienced staff and help clear the logjam of pending veteran appeals.

Leveling Up Legal Talent to Speed Up Justice

So, what does moving up to GS-15 mean? In the federal government, it represents a significant step up in seniority and pay, typically reserved for supervisors or high-level experts. By opening this path for non-supervisory BVA attorneys, as authorized in Section 2, the bill aims to give experienced lawyers a reason to stick around longer. Think of it like keeping your best players on the team by offering a better contract. The hope is that retaining this expertise will directly translate into chipping away at the backlog of appeals cases, meaning veterans who've challenged benefits decisions might get their answers faster. It’s a focused tweak aimed at improving efficiency where it directly impacts veterans waiting for resolution.