The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 22 passed a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish on its website a certain disability benefit form for non-VA medical providers submitting evidence regarding a disability claim for VA benefits.
“Today is another milestone in our effort to protect veterans applying for disability during the pandemic,” said Rep. Barr on Tuesday.
Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) forms, which veterans and their advocates are required to submit to provide medical evidence justifying their disability claims, became difficult to access starting in April when the VA was forced to close all in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 27, Rep. Barr sponsored the Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act (VBFTA) of 2020, H.R. 7795, with lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), which would protect veterans applying for disability benefits at the VA. U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) is among the seven other cosponsors of the measure.
Specifically, H.R. 7795 would direct the VA to restore public access on its website to DBQ forms. It would require the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to accept a veteran’s DBQ form for one year after it is completed by their 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 VBFTA ensures veterans and their advocates will have access to required DBQ forms during the VA disability claims process,” said Rep. Barr. “The VBFTA also prevents veterans from having their disability claims delayed or denied because the VA changed their DBQ form without the veterans’ knowledge.”
Following the House’s voice vote to approve H.R. 7795, the bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced companion legislation, S. 4412, in August.