Panel Addresses Claims Backlog

A working group of veterans’ advocates stated concluded that the Department of Veterans Affairs must ensure that veterans have every piece of information they need to submit benefits claims, and that key VA agencies improve their ability to process such claims accurately and efficiently. The panel, chaired by Sens. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., issued their findings March 6, calling for the federal government to make the veterans’ claims process a “priority.” The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization, supported the panel’s conclusions. “Veterans need to be better educated about the claims process,” the Legion said. “They need direct access to veterans’ service organizations for assistance, and the submission of fully developed claims needs to be incentivized with monetary benefits.” The Veterans Benefits Administration and VA regional offices should assume the onus of ensuring that claims are being processed correctly as well, the Legion stated.