Noteboom The Law Firm

House Bill Will Review VA Disability Claims Processing

Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Appeals Improvement Act of 2011  (H.R. 1484) on April 12, 2011. The Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs passed the bill last week.

In doing so, the committee took their first step in changing two flawed systems:

 

·      the benefits claims processing system; and

·      the appeals filing system.

 

Additionally, the committee approved the creation of an "expert judicial review commission," whose focus will be to investigate current appellate procedures as they are being used by veterans in the disability claims process with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Veterans Appeals Improvement Act of 2011 was created out of the subcommittee's extensive investigations into the VA's current disability claims processing system. Their investigation included input from veterans, as well as their own hands-on examination into the seemingly comprehensive problems, which seem to be pervasive in the VA's processing and appeal system.

There are currently 1000s of veterans whose claims end up in limbo because of the length of time it takes to decide a claim in appeals. It is not uncommon for veterans to wait years to have their claim heard. This timeframe is greatly influenced by the numerous amounts of remands bouncing between various agencies, which ends up littering the appellate process.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits speak with a veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.