By Kaity Sample Posted January 29, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District and Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee announced today the introduction of legislation to create a special task force to address the backlog of appeals for VA benefits. The VA currently has some 300,000 appeals pending and this backlog is expected to grow. Titus’ legislation will create a special task force to study the current appeals process and make recommendations to the VA, as well as Congress, on ways to improve the appeals process so veterans receive accurate decisions in a timely fashion.
“While it is a good thing that the overall backlog of VA claims has been dramatically reduced, this has correspondently led to an overload of the appeals process. Since joining the VA Committee, I have consistently voiced my concerns about this pending problem. Now Nevada has some 1,400 appeals claims waiting to be decided,” said Titus. “A task force will bring together the brightest minds to address this backlog and make recommendations that will be critical to meeting this challenge head-on before it gets worse. Improving the speed and efficiency of both the claims process and the appeals system is the least we can do to recognize and compensate military men and women for their service and sacrifice.”
Today the VA Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing on “Veterans’ Dilemma: Navigating the Appeals System for Veterans Claims.” Below is a copy of Titus’ opening statement, as prepared for delivery:
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to congratulate you on your recent election to serve Louisiana’s Fifth Congressional District and your selection as chair of this subcommittee. I was fortunate to have had a very productive partnership with former Chairman Runyan, and I hope we can carry on this committee’s long tradition of working in a bipartisan way on behalf of our nation’s heroes.
“I am excited to once again be the Ranking Member of this subcommittee and I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that all veterans have access to the benefits they have earned in a timely fashion.
“Problems with the appeals process is a recurring topic for this subcommittee. Since joining this subcommittee two years ago, I have been very concerned about a looming backlog of appeals at the VA. Almost two years ago, in June of 2013, our subcommittee met and I raised concerns that we were trading a claims backlog for an appeals backlog, trading a devil for a witch.
“My statement then is equally applicable today. I warned of an impending appeals tsunami and the need for a plan to address their anticipated growth. While VA and BVA have increased their output, all metrics continue to show that the problem is growing, and veterans in Nevada and across the country are waiting far too long for a VA decision. Nationally, the average length of time to receive a decision on an appeal that went to BVA in FY 2013 was 1,255 days—nearly three and a half years. That is far too long.
“In Nevada, there are close to 1,400 appeals waiting to be adjudicated. When a veteran asks my office for help appealing his or her claim, it is difficult to explain that the process could take more than three years.
“I am very concerned that we have not been provided with a detailed plan from the VA as to how they will address this pressing issue. We are once again receiving piecemeal recommendations instead of a comprehensive plan to attack this looming backlog head-on.
“We need to take action now so that we’re not having this same hearing again in two years. Here in Congress, we need to work collaboratively with the VA and the VSO’s to create a system that allows appeals to be completed in a timely fashion while ensuring that veterans’ claims are fully evaluated.
“In the 113th Congress, I highlighted the need to form a task force that included key stakeholders and encouraged an all-hands-on-deck approach to find a solution to this program. I appreciate Chairman Miller’s support for this idea which ultimately passed the House.
“Today, I will re-introduce this legislation, and I would welcome other Members of our subcommittee to join me as cosponsors.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost two years during which time a comprehensive plan could have been completed and steps taken to meet this challenge.
“I understand that the VA has conducted a study to better understand the appeals process from the veterans’ standpoint and I ask that these findings be shared with me, and the Chairman.
“To me the situation is clear. Too many veterans have waited too long to have their appeals evaluated. The system must be improved, and fast. We need a better plan and a commission will help us get there. We need ideas from experts so solutions can be derived and implemented quickly.
“Another idea our subcommittee should explore has been proposed by Mr. O’Rourke and Mr. Cook to create a “fully developed appeal” similar to the fully developed claims initiative that has been so popular for benefits claims.
“Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you on these issues and others that will come before our subcommittee. I yield back.”
