David C. Spickler, JD Executive in Charge / Acting Vice Chairman Board of Veterans’ Appeals

As of January 20, 2017, Mr. Spickler serves as Executive in Charge and Acting Vice Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board). As Executive in Charge, Mr. Spickler is responsible for implementing the Board’s mission of conducting hearings and deciding appeals for Veterans. In this role, he is also accountable for the efficient and effective management of Board resources; leads and manages a staff of over 800; and executes a budget in excess of $100 million. The Board is the final administrative tribunal statutorily charged with deciding appeals arising from Veterans’ benefits claims filed with the Secretary.

Mr. Spickler has served the Board in numerous capacities throughout his career. In June 2016, Mr. Spickler was appointed by Secretary Bob McDonald to serve as Principal Deputy Vice Chairman of the Board. As Principal Deputy Vice Chairman, Mr. Spickler was responsible for legislation, regulations, and policy, knowledge management, and quality review of Board decisions. In 2010, Mr. Spickler was appointed by Secretary Eric Shinseki to serve the Board as Deputy Vice Chairman in the Office of Veterans Law Judges. In that role he was responsible for all operations of the Board’s Office of Veterans Law Judges, directing and supervising over 500 attorneys and Veterans Law Judges. From 1995 until 2010, Mr. Spickler served as a Chief Veterans Law Judge. In 1993, he was appointed by Secretary Jesse Brown as a Veterans Law Judge, with the approval of President Bill Clinton, after beginning his Board legal career in December 1982 as a staff attorney.

Mr. Spickler is a Veteran of the US Army, Vietnam Era. He is a licensed attorney in the State of Pennsylvania. He lives in Virginia with his wife, who is also a career Federal Government attorney specializing in procurement law and litigation.

CAREER CHRONOLOGY:

2017 Executive in Charge / Acting Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans’ Appeals 2016 Principal Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans’ Appeals 2010 Deputy Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans’ Appeals 1995 Chief Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans’ Appeals 1993 Veterans Law Judge, Board of Veterans’ Appeals 1982 Attorney, Board of Veterans’ Appeals

EDUCATION:

1998 Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, VA 1997 Aspen Institute Executive Seminar, Aspen, CO 1997 OPM Executive Development Seminar, Aurora, CO 1996 Leadership VA 1982 Juris Doctor; Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, PA 1979 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism; Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Department of Veterans Affairs

Senior Executive Biography