UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

CEREMONIAL MISC. NO. 03-21

IN RE: THE MATTER OF THE RETIREMENT OF THEODORE JARVI

Before BARTLEY, Chief Judge, and PIETSCH, GREENBERG, ALLEN, 

MEREDITH, TOTH, FALVEY, LAURER, and JAQUITH, Judges, and

NEBEKER, KRAMER, HOLDAWAY, GREENE, KASOLD,

HAGEL, MOORMAN, LANCE, DAVIS, and SCHOELEN, Senior Judges.

O R D E R

Before the Court is the matter of the retirement of Theodore "Ted" Jarvi, whose career of providing legal services 

to veterans merits special recognition. Mr. Jarvi practiced law in Arizona for more than 45 years, the last twenty 

of which he spent exclusively in veterans law. 

Mr. Jarvi enlisted in the Air Force in 1961 and became a missile guidance technician on assignment in Germany. 

He was later sent to Arizona State University (ASU) under the Airman's Education and Commissioning 

Program, graduating with an engineering degree in 1966. He received a commission and assignment in the 

Strategic Air Command, serving first in Michigan and later in Thailand. Mr. Jarvi took the LSAT in Bangkok

and left active duty after nearly 10 years to attend law school back at ASU, earning his JD in 1973. Still in the 

reserves, Mr. Jarvi entered private practice, concentrating in personal injury, criminal defense, and civil rights.

In the mid-1980's he successfully represented a friend before VA who had been injured in pilot training. The 

veteran received a 100% rating and considerable back pay. Consistent with statutory limits established during 

the Civil War, Mr. Jarvi received a check for 10 dollars! Mr. Jarvi's interest in veterans law was piqued, and in 

June 1991 he was admitted to practice before the newly formed U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, filing his first 

appeal just 4 months later. 

From early work before the VA to later practice before the Court, Mr. Jarvi energetically represented veterans 

and their families in pursuit of their rightful benefits. In the intervening years, he completed a career in the Air 

Force Reserve and Air National Guard, retiring as a JAG colonel in 1997. His search for professional 

collaboration in veterans law led him to the first meeting of the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates 

in October 1993, where he would later serve on the board of directors and as president.

Mr. Jarvi has been counsel in over 300 cases before the Court. He has represented veterans of all branches of

service, from all conflict periods, from most states, and at all levels of the benefits process. He has presented on 

veterans benefits law to groups far and wide, has served on the board of governors of the Court's Bar Association, 

and volunteered many years on the Court's Committee on Admission and Practice, having been appointed the 

Committee Chair in April 2018.

Mr. Jarvi's contributions to individual veterans, the Court, and the development of veterans law have been 

invaluable. His service both in uniform and as a veterans advocate is inspiring, and most worthy of the highest 

recognition. Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is 

ORDERED that Ted Jarvi take with him our gratitude for the many years of outstanding service he has rendered 

to this Court and the veterans of this nation, our admiration for his many accomplishments, the warmth of our 

continued friendship, and our very best wishes. 

DATED: September 1, 2021 PER CURIAM.