news

Today, the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Veterans' Affairs included vital legislation introduced by Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act, in its markup of H.R. 677.  

Rep. Latta’s legislation will expedite the processing of VA appeals claims.

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 a lengthy and inefficient process, which has forced many veterans to wait years before receiving a final decision. 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, ensuring veterans are receiving more timely decisions.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve the utmost care and service, and it is our obligation to ensure their benefits are being provided to them in a timely fashion. Unacceptable wait times, lengthy delays in receiving needed benefits, and stagnant bureaucratic red-tape have long plagued the VA. It is imperative these obstacles to providing for our former servicemen and women be eliminated,” said Rep. Latta. 

“This legislation would streamline the VA’s processes by creating a deadline by which all appeals must be certified, ensuring the trend of unnecessary delays does not continue. I’d like to thank Chairmen Miller and Abraham, and the Committee, for addressing this issue and including it in today’s markup.”