Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 20, 2026
Bottom line
The bill seeks to improve the Board of Veterans' Appeals' ability to attract and retain skilled attorneys by expanding their career progression to the GS-15 pay grade for non-supervisory roles.
What it actually does
This bill amends title 38, United States Code, to allow non-supervisory attorneys employed by the Board of Veterans' Appeals to be promoted to grade GS-15 of the General Schedule. This change aims to enhance the career advancement opportunities for experienced legal professionals at the Board, thereby improving recruitment and retention.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that enabling non-supervisory attorneys to reach GS-15 will make the Board more competitive in attracting and retaining highly skilled legal professionals. This is expected to improve the quality and speed of decisions on veterans' appeals, ultimately benefiting veterans by reducing backlogs and ensuring more accurate and timely outcomes.
Opponents contend
Opponents might raise concerns about potential increases in administrative costs without clear evidence of corresponding productivity gains or a significant reduction in backlogs. They could also argue that other reforms, such as process improvements or increased staffing at lower grades, might be more effective or cost-efficient in addressing the Board's challenges.
The bill is exceptionally short and uses clear, direct language, making it very accessible for any reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 2, amending Section 7101A(b) of title 38, United States Code
Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney Career Enhancement
This provision modifies existing law to permit non-supervisory attorneys working for the Board of Veterans' Appeals to be promoted to the General Schedule (GS) grade 15. Previously, GS-15 positions were generally reserved for supervisory roles or those with significantly higher levels of responsibility, thereby limiting career advancement for experienced non-supervisory attorneys within the Board.
Supporters argue
Supporters contend that this change is crucial for retaining highly skilled and experienced attorneys who might otherwise leave for higher-paying opportunities in the private sector or other federal agencies. By offering a clearer path to GS-15, the Board can maintain institutional knowledge, reduce turnover, and ensure that veterans' appeals are handled by a stable and expert legal team.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that simply increasing the pay grade ceiling does not guarantee improved performance or reduced backlogs without corresponding reforms to workflow, technology, or management practices. They might also express concern that this could lead to a 'grade creep' where more positions are reclassified to higher grades without a demonstrable increase in responsibilities, potentially inflating administrative costs.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need to attract and retain top legal talent at the Board of Veterans' Appeals with potential increases in federal personnel costs. There's a tension between investing in higher salaries for experienced staff and ensuring that such investments directly translate into tangible improvements in service delivery for veterans, such as faster and higher-quality decisions.