Vets’ Groups Challenge Disability Claims Process

Two veterans’ service organizations filed a lawsuit May 6 against the Department of Veterans Affairs, claiming that changes to the disability claims filing process are “detrimental.” The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) contend that the new policy – which requires all veterans to complete a standardized form when filing such claims – would be problematic for certain veterans who are mentally or financially unable to do so properly. The new rule would result in denial of benefits because the form process would ultimately postpone the effective date for veterans who do not or cannot fill out the form, the lawsuit contends. “This creates an unfair disadvantage for many veterans and places them in a situation where critical compensation will be denied or delayed,” said Jim Marszalek, DAV’s National Service Director.