Full article at: VA Expediting Claims Decisions for Veterans Waiting a Year or More
April 19, 2013 by Allison Hickey
“Effective today, every regional office will begin implementing an initiative to ensure that those who have been waiting a year or more for their compensation claim receive a decision quickly. VA raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims in inventory, which will allow Veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible.”
For the oldest claims, VA will make a provisional rating based on all current evidence associated with the claim.
When benefits are awarded in the provisional decision, the Veteran will begin receiving compensation immediately.
These will be decisions based on all evidence VA has received to date and during the time the claim has been pending.
Provisional rating notices will note the evidence on which the decision was based and list any documentation that has not been provided or VA has been unable to obtain.
Exams will be provided by VHA in an expedited manner if they are required for a rating
The most vulnerable Veterans will continue to be fast tracked.
Wounded, Ill and Injured Veterans from the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan will continue to have priority through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System.
VA will continue to prioritize Veterans who are homeless, terminally ill, former Prisoners of War, and Medal of Honor recipients, those facing financial hardship and our most seriously injured.
Fully Developed Claims will continue to receive priority processing
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