The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that it is introducing a uniform disability claims form to better serve veterans, families and survivors.
Standardizing the process by which veterans file claims and initiate appeals will make it easier for veterans and their survivors to clearly state what benefits they are seeking from VA and provide information that is necessary to process their claims and appeals. The new forms eliminate applicant guesswork, which often leads to delays in decisions, and ultimately, delays in receiving benefits. The new regulations go into effect in late March 2015.
VA Secretary Robert McDonald said, “Our veterans and survivors will know, at the outset of the claims process, what is needed, which removes subjective interpretation from the process. We want to eliminate any barriers that make it difficult for [them] to receive benefits to which they are entitled.”
In the past, applicants did not have to use a certain form to seek VA compensation or other benefits.
Claims or appeals (Notice of Disagreement) could be submitted on any piece of paper, which caused delays due to missing information.
By using standard forms for all disability claims, VA can more quickly and accurately identify what the Veteran is claiming or appealing. This will allow VA to immediately move on to next steps in the evidence-gathering and decision-making process, which saves administrative processing time and speeds the delivery of earned benefits.
The existing process is also inconsistent with most, if not all, other government and non-government application processes, such as applying for Social Security, a driver’s license, a job or filing an income tax refund.
The updated process also includes standardizing traditional informal claims. A new “Intent to File a Claim” process gives the applicant one year to compile the necessary documentation or evidence to support their claim while preserving an effective date of claim.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VA standardizes disability claims process to improve services