United States Federal Circuit

Because the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was under no obligation to obtain a medical opinion on behalf of plaintiff, the Secretary did not violate his duty to assist a veteran in developing his disability benefits claim by not providing a medical examination and medical opinions.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/29/2003
• Published 04/29/2003

Judges

• FRIEDMAN, Senior Circuit Judge., Before LINN, Circuit Judge, FRIEDMAN, Senior Circuit Judge, and PROST, Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States Federal Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• James W. Stanley, Jr., of North Little Rock, AR, argued for claimant-appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Kathleen A. Kohl, Attorney, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, of Washington, DC, argued for respondent-appellee.   With her on the brief were David M. Cohen, Director;  and Brian M. Simkin, Assistant Director.   Of counsel on the brief were Donald E. Zeglin, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, and Y. Ken Lee, Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs, of Washington, DC.