Board of Veterans Appeals (Attorney Advisor)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does BVA offer overtime?

Yes, you may work as much unpaid overtime as you wish to meet your quota.

BVA DOES offer overtime since the new chairman took over. Please ignore this ignorant troll poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does BVA offer overtime?

Yes, you may work as much unpaid overtime as you wish to meet your quota.

that.

And yes, if you are "on pace" you can get overtime, but you must do more cases. If you need more than 40 hours to do your 3 cases, then the overtime is unpaid, and management pretends that it never happens.

Wow. You just seem to a disgruntled person in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does BVA offer overtime?

Yes, you may work as much unpaid overtime as you wish to meet your quota.

that.

And yes, if you are "on pace" you can get overtime, but you must do more cases. If you need more than 40 hours to do your 3 cases, then the overtime is unpaid, and management pretends that it never happens.

Wow. You just seem to a disgruntled person in general.

EDIT* Wow. You just seem to be a disgruntled person in general.

[Anonymous]

Also, I just want to call out the same poster for all the complaining/moaning/whining. On the basis of the comments, it sounds like you worked at the Board can couldn't handle it and were asked to leave. If you didn't work here, then why are you so obsessed. Same thing happens at law firms. Make the cut. And if you don't, move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, I just want to call out the same poster for all the complaining/moaning/whining. On the basis of the comments, it sounds like you worked at the Board can couldn't handle it and were asked to leave. If you didn't work here, then why are you so obsessed. Same thing happens at law firms. Make the cut. And if you don't, move on.

I think there are more than a few people posting negative things. how do you know that it is the same person?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The turnover indicates these are not desirable jobs. If you cannot get anything better, take it and use it as a stepping stone.

The turnover is not because the job is not desirable. The job is good once you have passed probation and you have developed a working relationship with your VLJ. The problem is the impersonal online training and lack of mentoring that leaves the new hires to figure out things for themselves. Many of them get frustrated and leave or get invited to leave the first year.

In other words, we invite you to leave the Board (i.e., resign) or we will fire you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does BVA offer overtime?

Yes, you may work as much unpaid overtime as you wish to meet your quota.

BVA DOES offer overtime since the new chairman took over. Please ignore this ignorant troll poster.

Do you disagree that many BVA attorney work in excess of 40 hours a week, without compensation, to meet the quota? Also, paid overtime is available, but to get paid overtime, attorneys have to do additional cases in excess of the quota. Many attorneys at the Board don't qualify for paid overtime because they struggle to meet their quota and regularly have to work more than 40 hours a week unpaid.

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I am a new hire set to start training next month as a BVA attorney-advisor. I’m excited to join your ranks despite some of the things I’ve read here and elsewhere. If I may, I have a couple of questions.

1. I am generally aware that training takes about 20 weeks. Could anyone give more information about what training looks like?

2. What is the protocol if I wanted to work from another location? I understand that my home address is my duty location, but how strict is the BVA about working from another location, if needed? Is this supervisor-specific?

3. What is the camera protocol? Will I be expected to be on camera in business professional attire for all training and beyond?

4. Does everyone join the union? Is it worth it?

5. Besides the usual negativity about toxic work environment, anything else that would be helpful to know? I know I’m not the only BVA new hire or hopeful who lurks here.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello all,

I am a new hire set to start training next month as a BVA attorney-advisor. I’m excited to join your ranks despite some of the things I’ve read here and elsewhere. If I may, I have a couple of questions.

1. I am generally aware that training takes about 20 weeks. Could anyone give more information about what training looks like?

2. What is the protocol if I wanted to work from another location? I understand that my home address is my duty location, but how strict is the BVA about working from another location, if needed? Is this supervisor-specific?

3. What is the camera protocol? Will I be expected to be on camera in business professional attire for all training and beyond?

4. Does everyone join the union? Is it worth it?

5. Besides the usual negativity about toxic work environment, anything else that would be helpful to know? I know I’m not the only BVA new hire or hopeful who lurks here.

Thank you!

1. There is a specific training program through the professional development division. It is the newest program, and it seems to be working well. I know two attorneys who just completed it, and they found it helpful. It's a crash course on VA law, procedure, the Board, etc...

2. That is specific to the Board and your VLJ. Remember, taxes are based on your work location. So, if you work in an city that has city tax, you will pay city tax based on your work location registered with the Board/IRS. But, often, if you take a long weekend, taking your computer with you (as long as it is not overseas) is usually permitted.

3. Usually, there is no dress-up requirement.

4. You are automatically part of the union's bargaining process, but you can choose to pay dues or not. If you do, you get more access to information. But if you don't you don't, I believe you do not get representation (but that is something I am not exactly 100% on).

5. You will learn on the job. It's a job like any other attorney job. The Board has plenty of resources, just don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does BVA offer overtime?

Yes, you may work as much unpaid overtime as you wish to meet your quota.

BVA DOES offer overtime since the new chairman took over. Please ignore this ignorant troll poster.

Do you disagree that many BVA attorney work in excess of 40 hours a week, without compensation, to meet the quota? Also, paid overtime is available, but to get paid overtime, attorneys have to do additional cases in excess of the quota. Many attorneys at the Board don't qualify for paid overtime because they struggle to meet their quota and regularly have to work more than 40 hours a week unpaid.

Dude, seek therapy. You are obsessed with something that has no effect on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello all,

I am a new hire set to start training next month as a BVA attorney-advisor. I’m excited to join your ranks despite some of the things I’ve read here and elsewhere. If I may, I have a couple of questions.

1. I am generally aware that training takes about 20 weeks. Could anyone give more information about what training looks like?

2. What is the protocol if I wanted to work from another location? I understand that my home address is my duty location, but how strict is the BVA about working from another location, if needed? Is this supervisor-specific?

3. What is the camera protocol? Will I be expected to be on camera in business professional attire for all training and beyond?

4. Does everyone join the union? Is it worth it?

5. Besides the usual negativity about toxic work environment, anything else that would be helpful to know? I know I’m not the only BVA new hire or hopeful who lurks here.

Thank you!

I have been around a few years so I can't tell you about the current training.

My tips for success are to be receptive to feedback from your judge and senior counsel and to find someone who writes for your judge whose work you can use as an example. It is invaluable to have an experienced person's work to see how they handle various issues for your judge.

Be cooperative and don't get defensive when asked to change your work. When judges come with feedback, they want a cooperative person who is going to do what they asked. They are pressed for time and value efficiency and professionalism.

Joining the union is a good idea because they keep up with current issues and concerns.

Good luck to you in your new position!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello all,

I am a new hire set to start training next month as a BVA attorney-advisor. I’m excited to join your ranks despite some of the things I’ve read here and elsewhere. If I may, I have a couple of questions.

1. I am generally aware that training takes about 20 weeks. Could anyone give more information about what training looks like?

2. What is the protocol if I wanted to work from another location? I understand that my home address is my duty location, but how strict is the BVA about working from another location, if needed? Is this supervisor-specific?

3. What is the camera protocol? Will I be expected to be on camera in business professional attire for all training and beyond?

4. Does everyone join the union? Is it worth it?

5. Besides the usual negativity about toxic work environment, anything else that would be helpful to know? I know I’m not the only BVA new hire or hopeful who lurks here.

Thank you!

I have been around a few years so I can't tell you about the current training.

My tips for success are to be receptive to feedback from your judge and senior counsel and to find someone who writes for your judge whose work you can use as an example. It is invaluable to have an experienced person's work to see how they handle various issues for your judge.

Be cooperative and don't get defensive when asked to change your work. When judges come with feedback, they want a cooperative person who is going to do what they asked. They are pressed for time and value efficiency and professionalism.

Joining the union is a good idea because they keep up with current issues and concerns.

Good luck to you in your new position!

These are all very good points.

[Anonymous]

Hello -- I heard the BVA recently hired a bunch of Judges with no prior BVA experience. Is this true? If so, how is that working out? Has it had any effect on morale? If these judges do not have any BVA/veteran's law backgrounds what backgrounds do they have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello -- I heard the BVA recently hired a bunch of Judges with no prior BVA experience. Is this true? If so, how is that working out? Has it had any effect on morale? If these judges do not have any BVA/veteran's law backgrounds what backgrounds do they have?

The Union at BVA sent a letter to Congress regarding management's decision to hire judges with no BVA related experience. The link to the letter is below.

https://cck-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Congressional-oversight-at-the-Dept-of-Veterans-Affairs.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello -- I heard the BVA recently hired a bunch of Judges with no prior BVA experience. Is this true? If so, how is that working out? Has it had any effect on morale? If these judges do not have any BVA/veteran's law backgrounds what backgrounds do they have?

That occurred about a year ago. It was a pain because the attorneys with the Board who have been here a long time are basically training their assigned judges. Yes, it's stupid. The new judges (who never worked or practiced at the Board) are slow and don't have a clue what they are doing. Of course, that will change with time, but it will take a long time.

To date, no new judges have been hired (since the last hiring a year ago) that were not previously attorneys at the Board.