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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) today reintroduced the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act, legislation to expedite the processing of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appeals claims. The legislation places a 12-month deadline for all appeals claims to be certified by a regional VA office and sent to the Board of Veterans Appeals.

“Our veterans deserve the utmost care and service,” said Latta. “However, the unacceptable wait times and lengthy delays that have plagued the VA have prevented many of our nation’s heroes from receiving the benefits they deserve. The VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act would streamline the VA’s processes and provide a deadline by which all appeals must be certified to ensure a more timely processing of veterans’ appeals.”

Currently, when an initial VA claim is denied, a veteran has the choice to appeal the decision. However, in order to do this, he or she must enter into an inefficient process, which has forced many veterans to wait years before receiving a final decision. The deadline imposed by the Congressman’s legislation would require the VA to expedite and streamline these procedures to ensure this trend does not continue.