Probative Value
VA Terminology Definition
Plain English Definition
How persuasive or convincing a piece of evidence is - the VA weighs evidence based on its probative value.
Why This Matters
Not all evidence is equal. A detailed nexus letter from a specialist who reviewed your full history has more probative value than a brief note from a doctor who saw you once.
Example
Your private psychiatrist's detailed IMO (reviewed 500 pages of records) has high probative value. The C&P examiner's opinion (15-minute exam, no record review) has less probative value.