Disability Law Claims Blog

Ask Questions Before You Sign the VA’s ECA Initiative

The waiting period for a veterans' disability benefits claim can cause undue stress and difficulty for a disabled veteran who needs financial assistance to support themselves and their family.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Expedited Claims Adjudication (ECA) Initiative says that it is "designed to speed up the processing" of a veterans claim. This of course is an attractive offer to any veteran who has waited months or years to obtain a successful ruling on a disability claim.

Before you sign the ECA agreement and waiver, be aware that in order to participate in the ECA, you must be represented by an attorney or the Veteran's Service Organization (VSO).

If you are considering signing the ECA waiver, here are a few questions to discuss with your disability attorney: 

• Does this limit the number of appeals that I can submit?
• Does the ECA affect the time limits for disability claim appeals?
• What other veterans' rights are affected by the ECA?
• Does this change the way that the VA investigates my disability claim? 

To learn more about the ECA Initiative, read our article Understanding the VA Expedited Claims Adjudication (ECA). 

If you need assistance with your veterans disability claim, contact the veterans disability rights law firm of LaVan & Neidenberg. Veterans disability rights lawyers can help you win your claim against the VA.