EID STATEMENT ON NEVADA VA CLAIMS BACKLOG REDUCTION Washington, D.C.–Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement on the newly announced reduction in disability claims pending over 2 years in the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result of the 2-year initiative, 785 Veterans under the Reno RO’s jurisdiction were provided decisions on their claims. As of June 19, 2013, 49 of these 2-year old claims remain pending. “I’m so pleased that the Department of Veterans Affairs has significantly reduced the oldest disability claims in line to be processed, finally providing the benefits veterans deserve. In April I signed onto a letter with the Nevada Delegation to the VA to let them know that the backlog was unacceptable and that I was willing to do everything in my power to assist them in accomplishing this goal. Following up on this letter, I instructed my staff to set up a meeting between the staff of the Nevada delegation and the VA Deputy Under Secretary of Field Operations to see what we can do to help end the claims backlog at the Reno VA Regional Office. 97 percent of the ‘older than 2 years’ claims have now been completed by the VA, and they are now working to complete those older than 1 year, which is welcome news to Nevada veterans.” “That being said, there is still more work to do. I remain committed to ensuring the VA is properly funded so they have the capabilities to keep our nation’s promise to these men and women who have given so much to Nevada and our nation.” BACKGROUND ON VA CLAIMS BACKLOG The VA has completed a record-breaking 1 million claims per year the last three fiscal years. But too many veterans have to wait too long to get the benefits they have earned and deserve. VA knows that is unacceptable and is implementing a robust plan to fix the problem. They are building a paperless, digital disability claims system – a lasting solution called the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) that has now been fielded at all 56 Regional Offices across the country, ahead of schedule. This automated system will transform how VA operates and ensures they will complete their goal to end the disability claims backlog, meaning all claims completed in 125 days with 98% accuracy, by the end of 2015. As a result of the 2-year initiative, 785 Veterans under the Reno RO’s jurisdiction were provided decisions on their claims. As of June 19, 2013, 49 of these 2-year old claims remain pending. ###
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:04:06 +0000
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