Ending the Veterans Claims Backlog Should be a National Priority

Each week, my office receives calls from veterans who have been waiting months and sometimes years for a decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on their disability claims. One of my biggest priorities has been helping local veterans cut through the “red tape” so they can receive the benefits they earned for serving our country. Unfortunately, it seems that these local veterans and others just like them across the country are having to endure unacceptable delays. In fact, the average wait time for a VA claims decision is over 300 days. I think we can all agree that subjecting our veterans to this kind of wait is unacceptable. I have been pressing for action to end the VA disability claims backlog.

Last week, I urged the Obama Administration to establish a presidential commission to address the VA disability claims backlog. I signed a petition supporting this effort, which is gaining momentum in Congress and is being led by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s largest non-profit organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. If you are interested in learning more about IAVA’s petition, you can find additional information here.

In addition to signing the IAVA’s petition, I recently co-sponsored legislation – the Veterans Backlog Reduction Act – that would pay provisional benefits for claims that have not been adjudicated by 125 days after the claim was submitted. I also recently voted in favor of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act offered by my Republican colleague, Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada, that would shift $44 million for mandatory overtime to the VA Regional Offices with the worst disability claims backlogs — greater than 365 days.

Work on this urgent issue will certainly continue in the weeks and months ahead, as we must do everything possible to put a stop to these unacceptable delays and ensure that our veterans get the attention, assistance and benefits they deserve.

If you are a veteran who needs assistance with a federal claim, please call my office at 978-531-1669. My staff and I always stand ready to do our best to help.