Thank you.
Probably about 2,000 cases go to the Veterans' Review Board each year. About 40% are determined in favour of the veteran.
Most of the cases are not.... We allow the Veterans' Review Board to review a case de novo. In other words, they could look at new evidence. The vast bulk of cases turn in the favour of the veteran because of new evidence presented by the veteran or his or her representative. So it's not that we got it wrong at the primary decision; it's that more evidence has come forward in the appeal, either medical evidence or evidence from the veteran about the relationship between their condition and their service.
The Veterans' Review Board will often have a face-to-face meeting with the veteran and their advocate, and they're able to ask questions of the veteran and their advocate, which often elicits new information.