2009-2010 Quick Facts

VRAB Statistics for 2009-10:

• In 2009-10, the Board finalized 4,140 review decisions (i.e. the first level of redress) at the request of applicants. This represents about 10% of the 40,000 decisions* made by VAC each year with appeal rights to VRAB. The Board also finalized 1,380 appeal decisions (i.e. the second level of redress).
• VRAB applicant profile: 80.6% Canadian Forces members and Veterans; 12.2% Traditional Veterans (Second World War, Korean War); 7.2% RCMP.
• The most common applications made to the Board dealt with medical conditions involving the neck, the back, the knees and hearing loss.
• On average, 54% of the 4,140 VRAB review decisions and 35% of the 1,380 VRAB appeal decisions varied a previous ruling. This means the Board ruled in the applicant’s favour with respect to some aspect of their entitlement or assessment for benefits.
• The Board has committed to issuing written decisions to applicants within six weeks of their hearing. In 2009-10, 80% of review decisions and 86% of appeal decisions met this target.
• If applicants have exhausted all their redress options at the Board and remain dissatisfied, they have the right to apply to the Federal Court of Canada for a judicial review of the decision. In 2009-10, 24 applicants requested a judicial review. In the same year, the Court issued 19 decisions (pending from applications made in previous years). Of these, it asked the Board to rehear 11 applications and decided to dismiss eight applications.

*Includes VAC decisions re: first applications for disability benefits, department reviews and medical reassessments