June 23, 2016
Contact: Kyle Roerink
Phone: 202-657-3219

Today the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs took a major step toward ensuring veterans receive the benefits they have earned in a timely fashion  by holding a hearing on a critical piece of legislation, H.R. 5083, the VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2016, which is sponsored by Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District. 
The legislation will reform the Department of Veterans Affairs’ framework for processing appeals on disability claims for service-related injuries. Right now there are more than 460,000 veterans stuck in an appeals backlog waiting for a decision. The average wait time is longer than two years and is estimated to balloon to a decade if reforms are not enacted.  The VA estimates that Rep. Titus’ proposal would decrease wait times and save the VA at least $2.6 billion.

The current process offers no clear pathway for dissolution of an appeal. Congresswoman Titus’ legislation outlines three distinct routes for veterans and a structure that will provide definitive conclusions in appeals cases. Veterans will be able to choose the path that best fits the specifics of their individual case. 
Veterans file an appeal if they disagree with the VA’s initial determination of their benefits eligibility application. 
After the hearing, Congresswoman Titus issued a statement on her bill.    

“When I became a member of the VA committee in 2013, much of the focus was on the VA’s disability claims backlog. We’ve reduced that backlog from more than 600,000 to about 75,000. As we focused our efforts on the claims, I pointed out that the appeals backlog would likely grow. Since 2012, we’ve seen just that. The appeals backlog has skyrocketed to almost 500,000, causing significant wait times for veterans.  

“We must not miss this opportunity to reform an outdated and overcomplicated system that’s only had one major update since it was first developed in 1933. The VA supports this legislation along with groups like the VFW, DAV, IAVA, AMVETS, American Legion and others. We are committed to cutting wait times and revamping an antiquated system to meet the needs of all veterans. We must take action now to ensure that we serve those who serve our country. The backlog grows every day we wait.”