Barr proposes bipartisan bill to improve how veterans receive disability benefits

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) on Monday introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the ability of U.S. military veterans to access and submit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefit questionnaire forms, which are used by medical providers and others assisting veterans to submit evidence supporting VA disability claims.

“During this pandemic,” said Rep. Barr, “we must ensure our veterans disability claims process is not paused or compromised and that we protect veterans from unnecessary burdens while securing benefits owed to them.”

Rep. Barr sponsored the Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act, H.R. 7795, with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) to require that the VA maintain the disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs) on its website after the DBQs were removed from the website of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The VBA also shut down offices to in-person appointments during the pandemic, impacting veterans’ access to the forms.

“This legislation will restore access for veterans and their representatives to the DBQ forms required by the VA to submit medical evidence justifying a VA disability claim,” Rep. Barr said. “Our proposal also prevents veterans from having their disability claim delayed or denied because the VA changed their DBQ form during the application process without the veteran knowing.”

For instance, H.R. 7795 would require the VBA to accept a veteran’s DBQ for one year after it is completed by a non-VA medical provider, even if the VBA updates or changes the DBQ form, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Barr’s office.

The legislation has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.