To improve claim transparency for America’s military veterans, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) on April 22 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a veteran’s representative the opportunity to review a proposed VA determination regarding that compensation or benefits claim.
“At the end of the day, this legislation is about making sure our veterans are able to access the benefits they’ve earned through their service,” Rep. Davis said. “Streamlining the VA and making it more efficient is one small step we can take to fulfill our obligation to those who served our country and put their lives on the line.”
Rep. Davis introduced the Veterans Claim Transparency Act, H.R. 2753, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) to help veterans receive accurate VA benefits by reinstating and codifying “the 48-hour rule,” which allows a veteran’s representative to review the VA’s preliminary determination of a benefits claim 48 hours before finalizing its determination, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Davis’ office.
The VA in April 2020 announced the department was ending its decades-old practice of allowing veterans’ service representatives to review benefits decisions for accuracy before the decisions were finalized and sent to veterans because the VA said its online claims system made the 48-hour review process obsolete.
If enacted, H.R. 2753 would permit a veteran’s representative, such as a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), to correct errors in benefits applications to ensure veterans receive their correct benefits the first time without having to file appeals at a later date, the summary says.
“Our nation’s veterans are our heroes, and the last thing they should be dealing with is a cumbersome and unfair VA benefit claim process,” said Rep. Davis. “The Veterans Claim Transparency Act will reinstate a 48-hour review for claims, so VSOs like the VFW can assist veterans in reviewing, correcting, or disputing a determination from the VA.”
The bill, which is supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, has been referred to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for consideration.