VA WORKING THROUGH BACKLOG OF DISABILITY CLAIMS

Although the benefits of having disability insurance run deep, it is important to note that some people are unable to have their claim processed as quickly as they would like. As a result, they do not receive the benefits they require to move on with their life now that they are disabled.

Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits noted that the Veterans Benefits Administration is taking the steps necessary to reduce its backlog of outstanding claims. In fact, the department has been able to reduce claims by 36 percent since March.

Earlier this year, Veterans Affairs made it clear that they hoped to end the claims backlog by the time 2015 comes to an end. There are multiple reasons why claims have been put on the back burner, including: large amounts of paper claims that must be converted to an electronic format, an increasing number of veterans who are eligible for disability coverage and a need to sync records with the Department of Defense.

Making a claim for benefits should be a simple process, but many veterans are finding that nothing could be further from the truth. Fortunately, the VA is taking steps, such as training employees and relying on technology, to work through its backlog as quickly as possible.

Anybody who is dealing with a denied individual disability claim should consider their options, doing whatever it takes to receive benefits as soon as possible. An attorney experienced in employment law may be able to help by appealing claims that have been denied and advising as to what benefits are actually available to our disabled veterans.

Source:  iHealthBeat, “VA Official Says Disability Claims Backlog Down 36% Since March” No author given, Dec. 20, 2013