Veterans’ appeals bill passes hurdle

TORRINGTON >> A bill designed to modernize the appeal process at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, co-authored by U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn, has passed a legislative hurdle.

The House of Representatives unanimously approved the bill Tuesday, according to a release.

Esty visited Torrington in March to speak with local veterans. The discussion touched on a series of issues, including difficulties veterans have faced when dealing with the appeals process.

The aim of the legislation is to decrease the number of pending claims and expedite the appeals process, according to the release. It was cowritten by Esty and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R—Ill.

“The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 would create three ‘lanes’ for veterans’ appeals, including the ‘Local Higher Level Review Lane’ in which an adjudicator reviews the same evidence considered by the original claims processor; the ‘New Evidence Lane,’ in which the veteran could submit new evidence for review and have a hearing; and the ‘Board Lane,’ in which jurisdiction for the appeal would transfer immediately to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals,” wrote officials in the release.

According to the release, 470,000 appeals are pending in the United States, with 1,425 in the greater Hartford area.

“Because of the enormous appeals backlog, veterans in Connecticut and across the country are routinely made to wait more than five years to receive the benefits they earned,” Esty said in the release. “That’s just not acceptable. Our bill to cut down on these delays is the result of thoughtful collaboration among Republicans, Democrats, veteran service organizations, and the VA itself. It’s heartening to see our bill pass the House with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Today, we are one step closer to providing all veterans with the timely compensation they deserve for the injuries they sustained in service to our country.”

“I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this long overdue legislation to help fix the VA’s broken appeals process and backlog,” said Bost. “Our heroes deserve rapid access to quality care, and that begins with having their appeals decided in a timely manner. I encourage the U.S. Senate to take up this legislation as soon as possible.”

David J. Shulkin, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, would be authorized to test the new system, according to the release, before it is implemented, and the V.A. would be tasked with creating a plan to utilize it. Veterans wishing to take advantage of it would be able to opt-in.