The initial appeal process is within the VA. There is an internal appeal process. If the veteran is not satisfied with the outcome of that internal process, he or she can appeal to an independent part of the VA , to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. If the veteran is still not satisfied with the outcome, he or she can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, then on to the U.S. Federal Circuit Court, and finally the U.S. Supreme Court. The appeals process starts within VA and then goes out into the federal courts.
On March 27th, 2012. See this statement in context.